When new construction occurs in the Greater Vancouver region the one noticeable feature of the home is most of the time the builder chose Cedar shake to be placed onto the roof. This is a selling feature any new home owner loves. There is nothing more amazing then a brand new home and a genuine cedar shake roof on top. Cedar is biodegradable by the way only if your cedar is not treated which is probably is. Getting untreated cedar today is silly, it will not last more than fifteen years for two reasons. one - New growth is all that exists with the thickest shake on the market being less three quarter of a inch at most. Old growth cedar is obviously gone in Metro Vancouver and the average construction company is on a tight budget and is getting the best deal he can find.

Some re-roofing companies out there offer a warranty with cedar but prorating starts day one I can guarantee it. A cedar conversion requires that plywood be placed on the strapping to create a solid deck for the laminate fibreglass shingle. This is where a major highlight of the cedar is missed. Cedar shake does breath well and laying down plywood does tighten up the deck into a possible ball of high condensation. Ventilation in a Cedar conversion is very important and if ignored by a roofer can devastate your new roof in the short term.

Placing a plywood deck is exposed at the gable ends or rake ends which ever term you prefer. If the plywood is exposed to the elements the many regions of the GVRD have to offer the rot will begin fairly soon after the new roof is installed