Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau: An In-Depth Look

Roofing materials have gotten more confusing with all the composite options, synthetic alternatives, and manufacturer claims flying around. As someone who has researched roofing extensively for a historic property restoration, I learned everything there is to know about cedar shakes and shingles specifically and what the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau actually does. Today, I will share it all with you.

The Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB) is a non-profit organization established in 1915 to promote cedar products and maintain quality standards in the industry. Over a century of operation means this is not a new marketing initiative — it is an institution with deep roots in the industry and genuine credibility.

Certification Programs

Probably should have led with this section, honestly, because certification is the CSSB’s most practically important function for anyone purchasing cedar products. The certification process involves rigorous testing against specific criteria: dimensions, thickness, durability, and resistance to weathering and impact. Products carrying CSSB certification have been verified against these standards rather than just claimed to meet them. When you are making a roofing decision that will need to hold up for thirty to fifty years, the difference matters.

Benefits of Cedar Shakes and Shingles

Cedar has properties that genuinely distinguish it from alternative roofing materials, and these are worth understanding:

• Durability: Cedar is naturally resistant to impact and harsh weather. A properly installed and maintained cedar roof has a lifespan that competes with most synthetic alternatives.
• Insulation: Wood provides meaningful insulation value that composite materials do not match. Cedar roofing contributes to building thermal performance in ways that purely synthetic options do not.
• Aesthetic Appeal: This one is subjective but genuinely powerful. Cedar develops a silver-grey patina over time that communicates age and quality in ways that synthetic lookalikes do not replicate convincingly. On historic properties especially, the authenticity of real cedar matters.
• Biodegradability: Cedar is a natural, renewable material. At end of life, it returns to the soil rather than sitting in a landfill for centuries.

That is what makes cedar roofing endearing to us historic preservation enthusiasts — the combination of genuine performance characteristics with an aesthetic quality that develops over time rather than degrading. I am apparently the kind of person who finds a well-weathered cedar roof beautiful in a way that new composite shingles never will be.

Installation

Proper installation is critical to performance and longevity. The CSSB provides detailed guidelines covering spacing, nailing patterns, and alignment that address common failure modes. Hiring installers specifically experienced with cedar — not just general roofing contractors claiming familiarity — makes a measurable difference in long-term performance. Cedar requires different installation techniques than asphalt shingles, and the details matter.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of cedar significantly. Keeping gutters clean prevents moisture backup against the roof edge. Removing moss and algae before they establish prevents the biological degradation that shortens cedar lifespan. Annual inspections allow damaged pieces to be identified and replaced individually rather than allowing localized damage to spread. A cedar roof that receives consistent maintenance easily outlasts one that is ignored, which is true of any roofing material but particularly true with natural wood.

Environmental Impact

Cedar sourced from responsibly managed forests carries a genuinely lower environmental impact than most alternative roofing materials when the full lifecycle is considered. Harvesting practices that support forest regeneration maintain the resource base. The biodegradability advantage at end of life is real. Energy-efficient looms and production processes reduce the manufacturing footprint. For homeowners thinking about the long-term environmental costs of their material choices, cedar from CSSB-certified sources is a defensible choice.

Challenges and Considerations

Cedar requires more maintenance than composite alternatives, and that is simply true. The higher initial cost is also real. Both factors need honest consideration, particularly for homeowners who are not well-positioned to perform or arrange regular maintenance. In high-moisture climates, the vigilance required to prevent moss and algae damage is significant. Cedar is the right choice for many applications, but it is not the right choice for every situation, and the CSSB’s own resources are appropriately candid about those trade-offs.