Wood Shake Roofing: Pros and Cons for NJ Properties

Wood shake is at its best on homes with architectural styles that celebrate natural materials -- craftsman bungalows, Tudor revivals, rustic colonials, and contemporary designs in wooded settings. In Essex County communities like Caldwell, Verona, and parts of Montclair, wood shake complements the neighborhood character and contributes to the natural aesthetic that defines these areas.

On roof profiles with moderate to steep pitches (6:12 or greater) and good sun exposure, wood shakes perform well and age gracefully. Sun and air circulation keep the wood dry enough to resist biological growth, and the steep pitch sheds water and debris effectively. These conditions align with many of the traditional home designs found in the western Essex County communities along the Watchung ridge.

Heavy shade is the primary enemy of wood shake performance in Essex County. Homes surrounded by tall oaks and maples in South Orange, Maplewood, and West Orange may find wood shakes developing moss, algae, and decay faster than maintenance can keep up. If more than 50 percent of your roof surface is shaded for more than six hours daily, wood shake will require aggressive maintenance scheduling and may still show premature deterioration.

Low-pitch roof sections (below 4:12) do not perform well with wood shakes because water sheds too slowly, allowing prolonged moisture contact with the wood. If your home has a mix of steep and low-pitch sections, a hybrid approach using wood shake on steep sections and a different material on low-pitch areas is a practical compromise.

NJ fire codes in some municipalities restrict or require special treatment for wood shake installations. Verify local requirements with your municipal building department before committing to wood shake. Treated shakes satisfy most requirements but add cost and require periodic re-treatment to maintain their fire resistance rating.

If you love the wood shake look but are concerned about maintenance, fire risk, or insurance, several synthetic alternatives replicate the appearance using composite or polymer materials. DaVinci Roofscapes and similar products offer the visual warmth of natural wood with Class A fire ratings, minimal maintenance, and standard insurance rates. These products cost 10 to 20 percent more than natural wood shake but eliminate the recurring maintenance expense.

Cedar shingle (as distinct from cedar shake) provides a similar natural aesthetic with a smoother, more uniform profile that some homeowners in Essex County prefer. Cedar shingles are typically less expensive than hand-split shakes and somewhat easier to maintain while retaining the warmth of natural wood.