Cedar Roofing in North Vancouver
North Vancouver’s forested hillsides, wet winters, and custom home architecture make cedar one of the most naturally fitting roofing materials the North Shore has to offer. When cedar is installed correctly — with the right grade of wood, proper ventilation, quality underlayment, and genuine craftsmanship — it delivers decades of performance alongside a beauty no synthetic material quite replicates.
Eco Exteriors Roofing and Solar has been installing and replacing cedar roofs on North Vancouver homes since 2008. Founded by Douglas Jackson, a North Shore native with deep roots in this community, our team understands the specific demands cedar faces here: the rainfall that pours down from the mountains, the tree canopy that shades rooftops and feeds moss, the steep-pitched lines of Lynn Valley custom homes, and the heritage character of older neighbourhoods like Central Lonsdale and Upper Lonsdale.
- Roofing Contractor Association of BC (RCABC) Ticketed Installers
- BC-licensed & fully insured
- 18+ Years in Business
- BC Hydro Approved Installers
- In-house roofers
- Industry-leading warranties on all work
- Google Guaranteed | BBB Accredited | WorkSafeBC Compliant
- Eco-friendly materials & sustainable practices
- CertainTeed & Malarkey Certified Shingle Installers
- Specialized metal roofing crews with on-site standing seam fabrication
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Expert Cedar Roof Installation & Replacement on the North Shore Since 2008
Cedar roofing is one of the most demanding roofing specialties in the industry. The material is beautiful, but it requires precision in every layer: how the shakes are spaced for airflow, how the underlayment is chosen for breathability, how flashings are integrated at valleys and chimneys, and how the ridge is capped to shed water without trapping it.
Our installers have worked on cedar roofs across North Vancouver for nearly two decades — from the steep, wooded lots in Deep Cove to the sweeping custom homes in Edgemont Village and the older shake roofs in Delbrook and Blueridge. We install new cedar roofs, replace aging cedar systems, handle partial re-roofs where the deck and underlayment are sound, and advise homeowners on whether restoration or full replacement makes more sense for their specific roof.
When we quote a cedar roof, we price it fairly, explain exactly what we’re doing and why, and back our workmanship with a warranty you can count on.
Natural Beauty That Belongs Here
North Vancouver's architectural identity is built around its relationship with the landscape — the mountains, the forest, the water. Cedar roofing belongs in that context in a way that manufactured materials often don't. The warm tones of freshly installed Western Red Cedar gradually weather to the silver-grey that has defined the North Shore's premium homes for generations. In neighbourhoods like Capilano Highlands, Lynn Valley, and Seymour, cedar rooflines feel like a natural extension of the surrounding forest rather than a product placed on top of it.
Built for Steep Slopes and Heavy Rain
North Vancouver receives some of the highest rainfall in the Metro Vancouver area, with many forested hillside properties receiving well over 2,000mm annually. Western Red Cedar is naturally resistant to moisture, decay, and insects — a characteristic that comes from the wood's own oils and resins rather than chemical treatment. On the steep-pitched rooflines common to North Shore custom homes, cedar sheds water effectively when installed at the correct exposure, with appropriate gaps for airflow and proper underlayment underneath. That said, cedar requires consistent maintenance to reach its potential lifespan in this climate. We're direct about that with every homeowner we work with.
A Sustainable, Long-Term Investment
Western Red Cedar is a renewable resource, locally sourced from BC forests, and fully biodegradable at end of life. For North Vancouver homeowners who value sustainability in their home decisions, cedar represents a roofing system with genuine ecological credentials — particularly when compared to composite materials that include plastic components or asphalt products derived from petroleum. A well-maintained cedar roof can last 30 to 45 years, outlasting two or three cycles of standard 3-tab asphalt shingles.
Cedar Shakes vs. Cedar Shingles: Understanding Your Options
Every metal roof we install is backed by our non-prorated lifetime warranty. This is one of the strongest warranty positions in the North Shore market.
Hand-Split Cedar Shakes
Hand-split shakes are produced by splitting a cedar block along the grain, resulting in a rough, textured surface that gives the roof its characteristically rustic, dimensional appearance. They're thicker than shingles — typically ranging from three-quarters of an inch to one and one-quarter inches at the butt — and that added mass contributes to their wind and impact resistance. Hand-split shakes are the right choice for North Vancouver homes where the goal is maximum natural texture and a deep, layered roofline.
Cedar Shingles
Cedar shingles are sawn on both sides to produce a smooth, tapered, more uniform profile. They install with less exposure than shakes and deliver a cleaner, more architectural appearance that suits modern West Coast design styles. Cedar shingles are also slightly lighter, which can be an advantage on older structures where load is a consideration.
Premium Taper-Sawn Shakes
Taper-sawn shakes are sawn on one or both sides to produce a product that combines the thickness and weather resistance of a shake with a more consistent profile. They're a popular middle-ground option for North Vancouver homeowners who want the durability of a heavy shake product with a somewhat cleaner aesthetic.
All cedar products we install are premium or #1 grade Western Red Cedar, sourced for tight grain, natural oil content, and low-knot profiles — the characteristics that determine how long cedar performs in a wet coastal climate.
Cedar Roof Performance, Lifespan, and Maintenance in North Vancouver's Climate
How Long Does a Cedar Roof Last?
A properly installed and consistently maintained cedar roof in North Vancouver typically lasts between 25 and 40 years. High-quality old-growth cedar — increasingly rare and expensive — can exceed 50 years. Modern second-growth Western Red Cedar, which is what most roofs use today, is slightly less naturally decay-resistant, making maintenance more important than it was for heritage-era roofs.
The single biggest factor determining a cedar roof’s lifespan in North Vancouver is not material quality — it’s maintenance frequency. Roofs that are cleaned, treated, and inspected regularly consistently outperform neglected roofs by 10 to 20 years.
Moss Prevention and Moisture Management
Moss is the primary threat to cedar roofing in North Vancouver. North-facing slopes and roofs under tree canopy — common throughout Lynn Valley, Seymour, and Deep Cove — receive limited direct sunlight and stay damp for long periods after rain. Moss holds moisture against the wood surface, accelerates decay, and can lift shake edges over time.
Effective moss prevention includes: zinc or copper ridge strips that leach naturally onto the surface during rain, annual or biannual cleaning with biodegradable soft-wash solutions, trimming overhanging branches to increase light and airflow, and keeping gutters clear so water doesn’t back up at the eaves.
We advise all our cedar roofing customers on a maintenance schedule that matches their specific roof exposure and tree coverage.
Ventilation and Underlayment
Cedar roofing performs best when the roof assembly allows the wood to dry between rain events. That requires a breathable underlayment — not a fully sealed vapour barrier — and a properly designed ventilation system that moves air beneath the shakes. Our installations use underlayment systems appropriate for cedar, install ridge venting where it’s absent, and ensure the roof deck is sound and dry before any cedar product is laid down.
Neighborhoods We Serve Across North Vancouver
Eco Exteriors installs and replaces cedar roofs throughout North Vancouver, including:
Lynn Valley
- Custom homes with steep, complex rooflines and heavy tree canopy. We're familiar with the moss pressure and debris loads these properties face.
Deep Cove
- A mix of heritage homes and newer custom builds near the water. Cedar suits the character of the area, though salt air at the water's edge requires attention to fastener selection.
Edgemont Village
- Established neighbourhood with premium homes that have historically used cedar as a signature material. We've replaced aging cedar systems here and installed new cedar on custom builds.
Upper Lonsdale & Delbrook
- Hillside homes with good southern exposure and older cedar roofs that often need honest repair-vs-replace assessments.
Blueridge & Seymour
- Forested, higher-elevation properties where rainfall is heavier and roofs are under constant organic debris pressure.
Capilano
- Estate-style homes where cedar quality, finish, and aesthetic precision matter as much as function.
Our Cedar Roof Process
Free Consultation & Roof Inspection
We visit your property, inspect the existing roof or building structure, and give you an honest assessment of what's required. We photograph the roof, check the deck, evaluate drainage, and look at ventilation before we quote anything.
Cedar Material Recommendation
We recommend the specific cedar product, grade, and profile that matches your home's architecture, your budget, and the maintenance commitment you're prepared to make. We explain the differences clearly and let you make the decision.
Project Planning
We schedule your project in a weather window appropriate for cedar installation, confirm material lead times (premium cedar can require 1 to 6 weeks depending on availability), and communicate the full scope before work begins.
Tear-Off & Deck Inspection
We remove the existing roofing system and inspect the deck carefully before any new material is installed. If there's rot or soft decking — common on older cedar roofs in high-moisture areas — we repair it before proceeding.
Underlayment & Flashing
We install breathable underlayment appropriate for cedar, replace or upgrade all flashings at valleys, chimneys, and penetrations, and ensure the drainage system is sound.
Cedar Installation
Our installers lay the cedar to manufacturer specifications: correct exposure, proper spacing for airflow, stainless or copper fasteners that won't corrode, and ridge capping that sheds water without trapping it.
Cleanup & Final Walkthrough
We clean the site thoroughly, inspect the finished roof with you, and walk through the warranty, maintenance recommendations, and any follow-up items before we leave.
Why North Vancouver Homeowners Choose Eco Exteriors
We’re not the right contractor for every job — and we’ll tell you that honestly. But for homeowners who want cedar done properly on a North Shore home, here’s why our clients keep referring us:
North Shore roots.
Douglas Jackson grew up here. We're not a Lower Mainland operation that drives up the hill when the phone rings — we know these neighbourhoods, these rooflines, and these weather patterns.
Honest assessment over upselling.
If your existing cedar roof can be restored rather than replaced, we'll tell you that. If it can't, we'll show you exactly why.
Premium materials.
We install #1 grade cedar products and refuse to cut corners on underlayment, flashing, or fasteners — the components that determine whether a cedar roof lasts 20 years or 40.
Strong warranties.
Our workmanship warranty covers the installation itself. We also carry Google Guaranteed coverage, and our manufacturer-certified partnerships provide additional product warranty support.
Transparent pricing.
No hidden fees, no surprise additions after work starts. We quote what we charge.
24/7 Emergency Service
Active flat roof leak on a rainy Wednesday at 2am? Call us. We respond.
Rated 9.9/10 on HomeStars | BBB A+ | ThreeBestRated Best Business 2026 | Google Guaranteed
What Our Customers Say About Us
We've completed cedar roofing projects across North Vancouver. Here's what our customers say.
Fast, responsive and very helpful.
James
Wholeheartedly recommend working with them if you need roofing work.
1. If I was told this, I would have looked at the weather before making the appointment. 2. I called two other roofing companies and both showed up had no problem going on the roof in the rain.
He gets two stars because he actually called to cancel. (The bar is set low with trades these days.)
The affect a new roof has on the curb appeal of your house is enormous, not to mention the comfort you gain knowing that everything is watertight for the oncoming winter - you need the installation done right. Doug, Rada and team were awesome from beginning to end - from clear details of what was being installed in the quote to how they protected the rest of the house and deck during demolition and installation - they went the extra mile.
They easily dealt with some curveballs we threw to them too. They removed our leaky (and now unused) chimneys above the roofline, giving the home a much cleaner look and installed snow guards.
Doug took time to work through a water egress issue that was not related to the roof installation - including helping me cut drywall open! - determined to find a solution the issue. Which we did.
We also required some more specialized carpentry work. Doug leveraged his own network to get us somebody to complete it.
It's not easy to find a company that that you can trust with such competitive pricing and such high quality craftsmanship on such a project. I feel fortunate to have worked with Doug, Rada and the team at Eco Exteriors.
The metal roof has really given the home a transformative look. And the new gutters were really the cherry on top. My photographs attached don't truly show how transformative it is.
A great team and great company!
Rated 9.9/10 on HomeStars · BBB A+ Accredited · Google Guaranteed
Cedar Roofing — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — with the right expectations. Western Red Cedar contains natural oils and resins that resist moisture and decay, making it well-suited for coastal Pacific Northwest conditions when properly installed. The critical factors are installation quality, appropriate underlayment, adequate ventilation, and a consistent maintenance routine. Cedar that is regularly cleaned and treated performs well in North Vancouver’s climate for 30 to 40 years or more.
A cedar roof in North Vancouver typically lasts between 25 and 40 years with proper maintenance. Without regular care — particularly moss treatment and debris removal — that lifespan can drop to 15 to 20 years. The highest-quality premium-grade cedar roofs, installed with excellent ventilation and maintained on a strict schedule, can reach 50 years.
Cedar shakes are thicker and split along the grain on at least one side, producing a rough, textured surface with significant dimensional depth. Cedar shingles are sawn smoothly on both sides, producing a more uniform, tapered profile with a cleaner appearance. Shakes are generally preferred for rustic or traditional North Shore aesthetics; shingles suit more contemporary or architectural West Coast designs.
Yes, significantly more. Cedar requires annual or biannual professional inspections, debris removal, moss treatment every one to three years, and periodic application of protective preservatives. Asphalt shingles are lower maintenance by comparison. Cedar’s maintenance demands are real, and we discuss them with every homeowner before a project begins.
Western Red Cedar is one of the highest-performing natural roofing materials available in British Columbia. Its natural oils provide inherent resistance to moisture, decay, and insects. It is dimensionally stable, handles freeze-thaw cycles well, and delivers excellent insulation value relative to its weight. For North Shore homes where aesthetics, sustainability, and performance are all priorities, it’s a strong choice when homeowners are prepared for its maintenance requirements.
The most effective moss prevention strategy combines zinc or copper ridge strips (which release trace metals onto the surface during rain, naturally inhibiting moss growth), annual soft-wash cleaning with biodegradable solutions, trimming overhanging branches to improve sunlight and airflow, and keeping gutters clear to prevent standing water at the eaves. Chemical moss treatments are also available but should be applied by professionals using products that don’t damage the cedar’s natural oils.
Cedar roofing in North Vancouver typically costs between $7 and $20 per square foot installed, depending on material grade (shingle vs. shake, standard vs. premium), roof complexity, pitch, the number of penetrations, and whether the existing deck requires repair. For a typical 2,000 sq. ft. North Vancouver home, total cedar replacement costs generally range from $30,000 to $55,000+. Steep or complex rooflines — common on custom homes in Lynn Valley or Capilano — will be at the higher end of that range. We provide specific, detailed quotes after a free roof inspection.
Cedar is one of the most sustainable roofing options available. Western Red Cedar is a renewable resource harvested from BC forests, biodegradable at end of life, and produced without the petroleum-based manufacturing processes associated with asphalt shingles. It also provides natural insulation value that can reduce heating and cooling energy demand. For sustainability-focused homeowners on the North Shore, cedar is a genuinely green choice.
Replacement becomes the right decision when damage affects more than 30% of the roof surface, when the underlying deck shows signs of rot or structural softening, when moss has penetrated beneath multiple courses of shakes, or when the roof is approaching 20 to 25 years with limited maintenance history. Isolated damage — a few broken shakes, a failed flashing at one chimney — typically warrants targeted repair. We assess each roof individually and give you a straight recommendation.
Cedar installation is possible year-round in North Vancouver, but the preferred window is late spring through early fall when dry weather is more reliable. Cedar shakes and shingles need dry conditions during installation to ensure proper seating and sealant performance. We monitor weather carefully when scheduling cedar projects and won’t begin a cedar installation with heavy rain in the forecast.
Get a Free Cedar Roofing Estimate in North Vancouver
If you’re considering a new cedar roof, replacing an aging cedar system, or simply want an honest assessment of where your current roof stands, we’d like to help.
Eco Exteriors serves homeowners across North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the Greater Vancouver area. Our cedar roofing consultations are free, no-pressure, and conducted by experienced roofers who will give you a straight answer about what your home needs.