Cedar shake · Synthetic shake · Steep slope
Cedar shake roofing in Salt Lake City, UT
Cedar shakes give a home a look no other roof quite matches, and they take careful, experienced hands to replace or repair. On Top Roofing handles natural cedar shake and synthetic shake roofs for homeowners along the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back.
- Utah roofing contractor since 2001
- S280 roofing & B100 contractor licenses
- Crews trained in safety every month
Replace or repair
When a cedar shake roof needs attention
Wood shake roofs are part of our steep-slope work, alongside synthetic tiles and shakes. Homeowners usually call us for the same reasons they would with any roof: a leak showing up inside, damage after a wind or hail storm, or a roof that simply looks tired and worn.
Utah is hard on any roofing material. Big temperature swings between hot days and freezing nights make roofs expand and contract constantly, and that cycle ages a roof well ahead of its years. On a shake roof, the question is whether the damage is isolated enough for a targeted roof repair, or whether the whole surface is due for a full roof replacement.
- Leaks: water stains on ceilings or damp spots in the attic
- Storm damage: shakes cracked, split or lifted after hail or wind
- Wear: a roof that looks older than it is after years of freeze-thaw
The right shake roof is the one that fits your home, your neighborhood’s rules and your budget. We help you weigh all three.
Natural cedar or synthetic shake?
Some homeowners want real cedar and nothing else. Others like the shake profile but want to talk through a manufactured alternative before they commit. We install both, so the conversation can start with your priorities rather than a sales pitch.
We’ll explain the trade-offs in plain language, show you what we found on your roof in photos, and give you an honest recommendation. If your neighborhood has an HOA or historic review board, we factor its rules on color and style in from the start.
Utah conditions
What Utah’s mountains and valleys ask of a shake roof
A shake roof in Park City faces different demands than one in Layton. These are the local factors we plan every shake project around.
Fire-rated underlayment in 2027
Starting in 2027, Wasatch and Summit counties require fire-rated underlayment. If you own a home on the Wasatch Back, ask us how that requirement affects a re-roof you’re planning.
Snow load and ice dams
High-elevation homes around Park City carry heavy snow all winter. We install two full rows of ice and water shield on eaves and valleys, going beyond local building code, to guard against ice dam leaks.
HOA and historic review
Many neighborhoods have review boards that approve roof colors and appearance. We work closely with those boards and keep every job permitted and code-compliant in its municipality.
How it works
Our cedar shake project process
Inspect and photograph
We look over the shakes, flashing and valleys and record what we see in CompanyCam, so you can review the same photos we do.
Recommend a path
You get a clear recommendation: repair, replace with cedar, or switch to synthetic shake. Any HOA approval steps are mapped out before work begins.
Install with care
Seasoned installers tie off in harnesses and follow strict OSHA protocols. If hidden rotted wood turns up, we show you and explain the fix before moving on.
Clean up and walk through
A thorough magnetic nail sweep, after photos in CompanyCam, and a clear update from your project manager.
Questions
Cedar shake roofing questions
It depends on how widespread the damage is. A localized leak or a section of storm-damaged shakes can often be repaired. When the roof is worn across its whole surface, replacement is usually the better investment. On Top Roofing inspects and photographs the roof and gives you a straight answer.
Yes. On Top Roofing installs both natural cedar shakes and synthetic tiles and shakes as part of its steep-slope roofing work, so you can compare the two with one contractor.
In many Utah neighborhoods, yes. HOA and historic district review boards mainly govern approved roof colors and roofing appearance. On Top Roofing works closely with those boards and handles permitting with your city.
Starting in 2027, Wasatch and Summit counties require fire-rated underlayment. Homeowners in Park City and across the Wasatch Back planning a re-roof should factor that in.
As with any re-roof, the main factors are roof size, pitch (a steep 12/12 roof takes about twice the labor of a walkable one), how many existing layers must be torn off, and the condition of the decking underneath. Hidden rot is handled transparently. Financing is available through FinTurf.
Related services
More ways we can help
Estimates
Ready to repair or replace your shake roof?
Our branches in Salt Lake City, North Salt Lake, Layton and Park City serve homes across the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back (see our service areas). Tell us about your cedar or synthetic shake roof and the nearest team will set up an inspection.