Cedar Shake Roofing in Missoula, MT
Natural western red cedar that holds up to Montana weather and looks better every year. We install Green River and Black Hawk shakes and shingles across Missoula and western Montana.
A roof people notice, built to last decades
A cedar roof is the kind of thing that stops you on the street. Warm, natural, and remarkably durable when it is installed right. For a lot of Montana homes, especially along the tree line and around the lakes, nothing else carries quite the same character.
We have been installing cedar in the Missoula area for years, and we work with two of the most respected cedar mills in the business: Green River and Black Hawk. Cedar is only as good as the install, so we follow manufacturer spec and code on every job, from underlayment to flashing.
The greenest roof you can put on a home
The Reserve Collection from Green River and Black Hawk carries a Carbon Neutral Roofing certification, from forest to rooftop. Wood does more with less: pound for pound it takes far less energy to mill than other materials, and these mills run on clean energy and replant to offset what little footprint is left.
Choosing a cedar shake over other materials has, on average, the same impact as not driving your car for a full year.
Cedar's insulating R-value runs more than double that of asphalt, concrete, or metal, which lowers your energy use year after year.
Cedar is light enough to ship up to four times the material per truck versus tile or asphalt, cutting emissions before it reaches your roof.
More than good looks
Built for our climate
Cedar breathes, resists insects naturally, and stands up to the freeze and thaw swings that wear other materials down. It has protected mountain and lakeside homes for generations.
Ages beautifully
Left natural, cedar weathers into a soft silver-grey patina that only looks better with time. With proper care, a cedar roof commonly lasts 30 to 50 years.
Lower energy bills
That high R-value works year round, holding heat in winter and keeping interiors cooler in summer, so your home holds temperature and your bills follow.
Shakes or shingles, installed to last
Shakes are split for a thicker, more textured, hand-hewn look. Shingles are sawn for a smoother, more uniform finish. We install both, and we will help you choose the look and grade that fits your home and your budget.
The details are what make a cedar roof last: the grade of the wood, the underlayment beneath it, the spacing, and the flashing around every valley and penetration. We install to manufacturer spec and to code so the warranty holds and the roof performs the way it is meant to.
Green River & Black Hawk
We install premium western red cedar from two mills known for quality, consistency, and their leadership on carbon neutral roofing.
Green River
An industry leader in Carbon Neutral Roofing. Green River's Reserve Collection delivers the lowest greenhouse-gas footprint in the cedar category, milled with clean energy and backed by replanting.
Black Hawk
Premium western red cedar shakes and shingles built for durability and a rich, natural finish. The Reserve Collection from Black Hawk is also certified carbon neutral, forest to rooftop.
Cedar roofing FAQs
How long does a cedar shake roof last?
With proper installation and routine upkeep, a cedar roof commonly lasts 30 to 50 years in our climate. Keeping it clear of debris and moss goes a long way toward the upper end of that range.
Is cedar a good choice for Montana weather?
Yes. Cedar insulates better than most materials, resists rot and insects naturally, and handles the freeze-thaw cycles that come with mountain winters. It is one of the reasons cedar has stayed popular on Montana homes for so long.
What is the difference between a shake and a shingle?
Shakes are split, giving a thicker and more textured look. Shingles are sawn for a smoother, more uniform finish. We install both and can show you samples of each.
Is cedar more expensive than asphalt shingles?
Up front, yes. Over a 40-plus year lifespan with lower energy bills and strong curb appeal, the long-term math gets much closer than people expect. We are happy to walk through the numbers for your home. You can also compare options on our roof shingles and metal roofing pages.
Thinking about a cedar roof?
Tell us about your home and we will come take a look, talk through shakes versus shingles, and give you a free estimate.