TL;DR:
Want your cedar roof to last 50+ years? Use this year-by-year cedar roof maintenance schedule to plan inspections, treatments, and repairs. Download our FREE maintenance checklist from The Cedar Cleaners and protect your investment for decades.
Why You Need a Cedar Roof Maintenance Schedule
Cedar roofs are beautiful, durable, and eco-friendly — but they’re also high-performance systems that need regular attention. Like your car needs oil changes and tire rotations, your cedar roof needs a schedule.
Proper care = longevity. With the right seasonal maintenance, your cedar shake or shingle roof can last over 50 years. Without it? You may need major repairs within 15–20 years.
That’s why we created this simple but detailed year-by-year cedar roof maintenance schedule — so you know exactly what to watch, fix, clean, and treat from Year 1 to Year 50+.
🧰 Cedar Roof Maintenance Schedule: Year 1 to 50+
This guide works like a vehicle logbook. From minor touch-ups to full restorations, this schedule tells you what to do and when to keep your cedar roof strong, leak-free, and beautiful.
Years 1–10: Set the Foundation
- ✅ Visual inspections (twice per year)
- 🧽 Clean gutters and remove debris
- 🪵 Replace any warped or missing shakes
- 💧 Apply first cedar roof treatment around Year 6
Years 11–25: Protect and Prevent
- 🔍 Full roof inspections every spring/fall
- 🛠️ Replace ridge caps, fix flashing, reseal joints
- 🌿 Treat moss-prone areas and inspect attic ventilation
- 💧 Re-treat the cedar with preservative every 5 years
Years 26–40: Restore and Refresh
- 🧰 Replace larger roof sections as needed
- 💸 Consider partial re-roofing if shake failures increase
- 📋 Moisture meter inspection for hidden water damage
Years 41–50+: Plan Ahead
- 🧱 Cedar shakes may reach end-of-life
- 🔁 Begin budgeting for full roof replacement or upgrade
- 🏡 Talk to The Cedar Cleaners about re-roofing options
🔧 Components That Need Routine Checks (Like a Car’s Engine or Brakes)
| Component | Check Frequency | Expected Lifespan (Natural Perfection Cedar Shingles) | Expected Lifespan (Natural Tapersawn Cedar Shakes) | Expected Lifespan (Synthetic Cedar Shakes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Shakes & Shingles | Every 6 months | 25–40 years | 30–50 years | 40–55 years |
| Ridge Caps | Annually | 10–20 years | 15–25 years | 20–30 years |
| Ridge Caps Metal | Annually | 15–20 years (Metal 26GA) | 20–30 years (Galvanized) | 50–60 years (Copper) |
| Flashing (chimneys, wall flashing, metal caps) | Annually | 15–20 years (Metal 28GA) | 20–30 years (Metal 28GA) | 50–60 years(Copper) |
| Vents | Annually | 10–20 years (Plastic) | 15–30 years (Metal) | 30–60 years (Copper) |
| Gutters & Downspouts | Spring & Fall | 10–15 years (Plastic) | 20–25 years (Aluminum) | 50–80 years (Copper) |
| Underlayment | At re-roofing | 30–40 years | ||
| Roof Ventilation | Yearly | 20–25 years |
📥 Download the Free Cedar Roof Maintenance Checklist
Want a printable, fridge-worthy version of this checklist?
📋 Download your FREE Cedar Roof Maintenance Schedule — a simple PDF you can share with your contractor, use during inspections, or save for seasonal reminders.
👉 Click here to download the guide now
Need a print-friendly or bilingual version? Let us know — we’ll send it your way.
🛠 Trust The Cedar Cleaners with Your Roof’s Lifespan
We’re Ontario’s top-rated cedar roofing experts. Whether you need a light cleaning, shingle replacement, or full restoration, we’ve got you covered from Toronto to Oakville and beyond.
Our Services Include:
- Cedar roof cleaning
- Moss & algae removal
- Protective treatment application
- Shake and ridge cap replacement
- Full roof inspections & reports
- Cedar re-roofing and upgrades
📞 Call 647-694-0523 or book a cedar roof inspection online.