Cedar shake shingles offer a natural, textured look that pairs well with the historic architectural character found across Mandeville’s Northshore neighborhoods. Homes along Lakeshore Drive, in Old Mandeville, and in established communities like Beau Chene near the Tchefuncte River often feature rooflines that suit cedar’s rustic profile. Big Easy Roofers installs and maintains cedar shake roofs across Mandeville and St. Tammany Parish, helping homeowners understand both the benefits and the real maintenance demands this material requires in southeast Louisiana’s climate.
Last Updated: April 2026
Cedar shake shingles are roofing panels split from western red cedar logs into thick, irregularly shaped pieces that create a layered, textured appearance when installed. Hand-split shakes have a rougher profile than machine-cut cedar shingles, which gives them the distinctive rustic character homeowners choose them for.
The natural oils in western red cedar resist rot, decay, and insect damage without chemical treatment. Cedar shakes come in preservative-treated, fire-retardant treated, and untreated varieties. Fire-retardant treated shakes carry a Class A fire rating, the highest available for roofing materials.
Cedar shake delivers a combination of insulation performance, longevity, and visual character that few roofing materials match. With proper maintenance, a cedar shake roof can last 30 to 50 years.
Cedar’s wood fibers provide natural insulation that outperforms asphalt or composite shingles. This helps regulate indoor temperatures in Mandeville’s hot summers and mild winters, reducing the load on HVAC systems. The thick, layered construction also dampens outside noise more effectively than thinner roofing options.
Over time, cedar shakes develop a silver-gray patina that many homeowners find attractive on Northshore homes. Each shake is unique, giving the roof a handcrafted appearance that increases curb appeal. For homes in Old Mandeville’s historic district, cedar shake fits the architectural period better than modern synthetic alternatives. Homeowners comparing premium materials should also consider how cedar stacks up against synthetic and real slate roofing options for Mandeville homes.
Cedar shake is a premium material that requires more attention on the Northshore than it would in the Pacific Northwest or New England where cedar is most common. Mandeville’s proximity to Lake Pontchartrain creates year-round humidity that is the primary challenge for wood roofing materials.
Persistent moisture creates ideal conditions for mold, mildew, and algae growth, particularly on shaded roof sections under mature live oaks. Left untreated, biological growth traps moisture against the wood and accelerates rot. Homeowners who stay on top of moss and algae prevention get significantly longer performance from cedar shake.
Louisiana’s intense summer UV radiation also accelerates weathering. Without regular application of UV-protective sealants, shakes dry out, crack, and lose structural integrity faster than in cooler climates. Expect to apply sealant every 3 to 5 years in the Mandeville area.
Wind resistance is another consideration for St. Tammany Parish homeowners. Cedar shakes are heavier than asphalt shingles, which helps in moderate wind, but they are individually fastened and can be vulnerable to uplift in Category 3 or stronger hurricanes. Homeowners in high-wind exposure zones along the lakefront should factor this into their material decision.
Cedar shake works well in Mandeville for homeowners who value the natural aesthetic and are prepared for the maintenance commitment. If low maintenance is a higher priority, metal roofing or architectural asphalt shingles may be better suited to the local climate.
The difference between a cedar shake roof that lasts 20 years and one that lasts 50 comes down to consistent maintenance. In St. Tammany Parish’s humid climate, this means a more active maintenance schedule than cedar roofs require in drier regions.
Keeping up with cedar shake maintenance ties into the broader habit of regular roof maintenance that protects your home long-term.
Cedar shake roofs cost $8 to $16 per square foot installed in the Mandeville and Northshore market. For a 2,000-square-foot roof, that works out to $16,000 to $32,000 depending on shake grade, roof complexity, and whether the existing roof needs removal first.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Material + Labor (installed) | $8 to $16 per square foot |
| 2,000 sq ft roof (typical) | $16,000 to $32,000 |
| Old roof removal | Adds $1 to $3 per square foot |
| Lifespan (maintained) | 30 to 50 years |
| Ongoing maintenance | Sealant every 3-5 years, biannual cleaning |
The upfront cost is higher than asphalt shingles, but a cedar shake roof that lasts 40 years may cost less over the home’s lifetime than replacing an asphalt roof twice in the same period. Fire-retardant treated shakes may also qualify for insurance considerations as a Class A rated material.
Cedar shake is one of the more sustainable roofing options available. Western red cedar is a renewable resource harvested from managed forests. At end of life, cedar shakes can be composted, recycled, or repurposed rather than sitting in a landfill for decades like asphalt shingles.
The manufacturing process produces fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than synthetic roofing materials. Cedar’s natural texture also slows rainwater runoff, which helps reduce erosion and stormwater pollution. Combined with a 30 to 50 year lifespan that means fewer replacements, the total environmental footprint of cedar shake compares favorably to most alternatives.
With consistent maintenance including biannual inspections, regular cleaning, and sealant application every 3 to 5 years, cedar shake roofs last 30 to 50 years in the Mandeville area. Without upkeep, high humidity and UV exposure from Lake Pontchartrain can reduce that to 15 to 20 years.
Modern cedar shakes treated with fire retardant during production carry a Class A fire rating, the highest available for roofing materials. Untreated cedar does not carry this rating and may face restrictions in some building codes.
Cedar shake roofs run $8 to $16 per square foot installed in the Mandeville and St. Tammany Parish area. A typical 2,000-square-foot home costs $16,000 to $32,000 for a full installation, with premium hand-split shakes at the higher end of the range.
Cedar shake performs well in humid climates when properly maintained. The natural oils in western red cedar resist moisture, but the persistent humidity near Lake Pontchartrain requires more frequent moss treatments, cleaning, and sealant applications than homes in drier regions.
Cedar shakes are heavier than asphalt shingles, which provides some wind resistance. However, they are individually fastened and can be vulnerable to uplift in Category 3 or stronger storms. Homeowners in high-wind zones should weigh this against the aesthetic and longevity benefits.
Cedar shakes offer better insulation, longer lifespan (30 to 50 years vs. 20 to 25 for asphalt), and superior curb appeal. The tradeoff is higher upfront cost and more maintenance. For Mandeville homeowners who want a premium look and are willing to maintain it, cedar shake is the stronger long-term investment.
Whether you are building new or replacing an aging roof on a Mandeville home, contact Big Easy Roofers to discuss whether cedar shake is the right fit for your property, budget, and maintenance preferences.
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May 29, 2023