Wood Shake Roofing in Chicago:
Expert Repair, Replacement & Code Guidance
Trusted roofing and siding contractor serving Chicagoland since 2007.
Cedar and wood shake roofs age differently than asphalt, and Chicago’s freeze-thaw winters and spring hail are hard on them. Horizon Restoration handles wood shake repair, full replacement, and the fire-code and insurance details that come with it, from Chicago to Naperville, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Lake Forest, and Highland Park.
Get a new roof from $139/mo
Get a free, no-pressure quote for your project
What's Covered on This Page
Questions We Answer Below
- How do I schedule a wood shake roof inspection in Chicago?
- What happens when your team arrives to inspect a wood shake roof?
- Why do wood shake roofs wear out faster in Chicago suburbs like Naperville?
- How can I tell if my wood shake roof needs repair or just cleaning?
- Does homeowners insurance cover wood shake roof damage from storms?
- Is synthetic shake a better option than real cedar for homes near Chicago?
Need Wood Shake Roofing?
Free inspection. No pressure, no obligation.
Spotting Storm and Age Damage on Wood Shake Roofs
Quick Summary: Wood shake roofs show damage differently than asphalt. Look for splits, curling, and dark streaks instead of missing granules. Chicago’s freeze-thaw winters and heavy spring hail shorten shake life in our area.
Cedar and wood shake roofs age in a specific way. When we get a call about a shake roof, it is for storm impact or old weathering. Both look different up close. Knowing which one you have changes what happens next.
We often see this scenario. A homeowner notices a few shakes that look lighter or grayer than the rest. That is normal aging from sun exposure. If you spot shakes cracked straight down the middle or curled up at the edges, that is a different story. Splits usually mean hail impact or wind uplift, not just age.
- Cracked or split shakes, especially in a cluster pattern that lines up with wind direction
- Curling or cupping at the shake edges, a sign moisture got in and dried out unevenly
- Dark streaking or soft, spongy spots, which usually means moss or rot has set in
- Bare or thin patches where shakes have blown off completely
- Granule-like debris or wood fiber collecting in gutters after a storm
Why Chicago winters are hard on cedar
Freeze-thaw cycles affect cedar in our area. Chicago winters push moisture into the wood grain. It freezes, expands, and splits the shake from the inside out. We see this often on older homes in Naperville. There, mature tree canopy keeps roofs shaded and damp longer after storms. This speeds up curling and rot on the north-facing slopes.
If you are standing in your yard trying to decide if what you are seeing is normal or a problem, that is exactly what a trained eye is for.
Thousands of Roofing Projects.
One Trusted Team Across
Chicagoland.
Our Past Projects map shows thousands of recent jobs across Chicagoland, including cedar and synthetic shake roofs on the North Shore. If you live in Naperville, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Lake Forest, or Highland Park, chances are we have worked on a roof near you.
- Serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs since 2007
- Cedar, synthetic shake, slate, asphalt, and low-slope systems
- A+ rated with the BBB and 4.9 stars on Google
When Minor Wood Shake Wear Doesn't Need a Contractor
Not every gray shake or curled edge means you need us. Cedar and wood shake age on purpose. That silvery patina is normal weathering, not damage. If you are seeing light discoloration on the north side of your roof, that is usually just shade and moisture doing what they always do.
Signs Your Shake Roof Is Probably Fine for Now
- A handful of shakes with slight curling but no cracking or splitting
- Surface moss or lichen on shaded slopes that has not spread under the shakes
- Even gray weathering across the whole roof with no soft spots
- Minor granule-like debris from natural cedar shedding, not from missing pieces
- Small gaps between shakes that have been there for years without leaking
None of that needs a repair crew. A soft wash or a simple debris clearing off the valleys handles most of it. Many homeowners do that themselves in an afternoon. We prefer to tell you that straight than send someone out for nothing.
Here is where it stops being a DIY job. If a shake is split all the way through, missing, or soft when you press on it, water is already getting past it. The same goes for dark staining on the underside in the attic. That is not weathering; that is a leak path forming. Often, a homeowner calls us after noticing a damp spot on a ceiling that was not there last month.
Want a second opinion before you decide? Our Roofing – Horizon Restoration page breaks down what counts as normal wear versus real damage across different roof types.
Overall great experience! Julius was fantastic to work with. He was very attentive to all the details and always there to answer questions and get the job done right. Whenever he said he would take care of something, he took care of it. The crew did a fantastic job and the workmanship was top notch. I can not believe how quickly they did a full replacement of our sheathing and roof shingles and still did a high quality job. They left the worksite spotlessly clean. We are getting lots of compliments from our neighbors on how good our roof looks. If you want your roof done right, go with this company.
Paul, thank you so much to you and your entire team for our beautiful new roof. We couldn't have made a better choice. Thank you for all your help with the insurance paperwork and for making the whole process so smooth. We highly recommend Chicago Horizon Restoration Roofing Company to anyone looking for quality work and outstanding service! Pamela & Steve
Horizon Restoration did an amazing job on my roof! Paul was fantastic to work with. Super responsive, most important he was honest and really cared about making sure everything was done right. He made what could have been a stressful process feel easy. The crew was fast, clean and very professional. I’m really happy with the result and would definitely recommend them.
Our sales specialist Ronny was awesome through the whole initial process and quoted me a very reasonable estimate to re-shingle garage roof and repair main roof shingles that blew off from heavy winds. The crew came and did an excellent job in one day and left the area clean as it was before. Will definitely use Horizon again and recommend them to everyone that needs any type of roofing work! -Ignacio
Our contact at Horizon Restoration was Art. He worked with our insurance company for over a year and a half to have our roof and siding replaced. The other persons behind the scenes at the office who were instrumental in assisting Art were Paul-Manager, Ruby-who was in charge of all correspondence, Jack-Install Manager who coordinated the crews for both the siding and roof, Claudio-On Site Roofing Manager and Mike-On Site Siding Manager. They worked seamlessly as a team and were always available when we had any questions or concerns. It is so nice to have Horizon Restoration going to bat for us. Especially Art whose experience and knowledge was so key in getting our insurance company to approve the replacement of our roof and siding. Our roof and siding look so nice we highly recommend Art and Horizon Restoration to anyone in need of their services. Thank you Art and Horizon for everything.
Wood Shake vs. Synthetic Shake: Choosing the Right Fit
Here is a question we get often. Should you go with real cedar or a synthetic shake product? Both give you that same rustic, textured look. But they behave very differently once they are on your roof.
Real Wood Shake (Cedar)
Real wood shake is a natural product, split or sawn from cedar logs. It weathers over time, developing that silvery gray patina people love. It needs regular upkeep. Moss and algae can build up, especially on north-facing slopes that do not get much sun. It is a fire risk unless treated. A lot of homeowners in Naperville and Wheeling ask us about this before deciding.
Synthetic Shake
Synthetic shake is made from polymer or composite material. It mimics wood grain and texture. It will not rot, will not attract insects, and holds up better against the freeze-thaw cycles our winters throw at roofs. For homes in Lake Forest or Highland Park near heavy tree cover, that durability really matters.
- Real cedar shake: natural look, ages with character, needs more maintenance over the years
- Synthetic shake: consistent appearance, better resistance to moisture and pests, less upkeep
- Both options can work with proper attic ventilation to help control moisture underneath the roof deck
So which one is right for you? It comes down to how much maintenance you are willing to do and what look matters most to you. We walk homeowners through both during a free inspection, so you are not guessing.
Ready when you are - get in touch today.
Get a Free Quote. Horizonrestoration is ready to help.
What We Do
Every Roofing Service, One Local Team
From a single cracked flashing to a full tear-off — and from standard asphalt shingle up to synthetic slate, cedar, and copper. Every job starts with a free, documented roof inspection, so you know exactly what you’re paying for before anyone climbs a ladder.
CertainTeed ShingleMaster™ PREMIER · Owens Corning Preferred Contractor · Brava & DaVinci certified · Licensed & insured in Illinois · Free written estimates
Repair, Replacement & Commercial
Most Requested
Roof Replacement
A complete tear-off and a new system built to your home’s structure and Illinois code. Often the smart move when a roof’s age and storm damage arrive together — as they usually do on Chicago’s older housing stock.
See what’s involved →
Roof Repair
Cracked flashing, leaky valleys, or a handful of damaged shingles — targeted fixes that leave the rest of your roof alone. The right call when your roof still has life left after Chicago’s freeze-thaw winters.
Request a repair →
Emergency Service
Roof Leak Repair
Active water intrusion is an emergency, not a maintenance item. We find exactly where water is getting in — including winter ice damming at the roof’s edge — and stop it fast, before interior damage spreads.
Stop a leak now →
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Most Chicago homes are topped with asphalt shingles. As a CertainTeed ShingleMaster PREMIER and Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, we install to manufacturer standards — which is what keeps your warranty intact.
See shingle options →
Flat & Low-Slope Roofing
Membrane and built-up systems engineered to manage drainage on courtyard buildings, greystones, and commercial roofs where standard shingles won’t work. A different craft — and one we know well.
See low-slope systems →
Commercial Roofing
Assessment, repair, and replacement for retail, small industrial, and multi-unit buildings — flat and low-slope systems included — scheduled around your business, not ours.
Request a consultation →
Premium & Specialty
Designer Roofing Systems
The character of slate, cedar, or copper — specified and installed to survive a Chicago winter. Specialty work, on the same free-inspection process as everything above.
Brava · DaVinci
Synthetic Slate & Shake
Brava and DaVinci composite tile gives you the look of quarried slate or hand-split cedar without the weight, the cracking, or the rot. Impact-rated for hail and engineered to hold its color through Chicago’s freeze-thaw cycles.
Explore synthetic systems →
Natural Wood
Real Cedar Shake
Nothing weathers quite like the real thing. Natural cedar, installed with the ventilation and fastening detail it needs to last — the right call when authenticity matters more than low maintenance.
Talk cedar options →
Custom Metalwork
Copper Roofing Accents
Bay windows, turrets, dormers, and porch roofs finished in copper — the detail that makes a whole house look considered. It patinas on its own over the decades and outlasts almost everything around it.
Ask about copper work →
Not sure which one you need?
Book a free roof inspection. We document what we find with photos, tell you straight whether it’s a repair, a replacement, or an insurance claim — and put it in writing. No pressure, no obligation.
Fire Codes and Insurance Rules for Wood Shake in Chicago
Here is something a lot of homeowners do not know until they have already picked out their shakes. Wood shake roofing has to meet a fire rating before most municipalities will let you put it on your house, and before most insurance companies will cover it.
Fire-Rated Shakes Are the Standard
Untreated cedar shakes carry a low fire rating on their own. That is why fire-retardant treated shakes are standard practice now. It is also why we will not install anything less.
Permits and Inspections
Local building departments across the Chicago suburbs, from Naperville to Arlington Heights, require a permit before a wood shake roof goes on. Inspectors check for proper fire-rated materials and underlayment during that process. Skip this step and you risk a failed inspection, a stop-work order, or a denied insurance claim down the road when you need coverage.
Where Insurance Gets Real
Some carriers will not write a policy on a home with wood shake roofing at all. Others will, but only if the shakes are properly treated and documented. We have seen homeowners in towns like Wheeling and Buffalo Grove get surprised at renewal time because their roof was not flagged correctly when the policy was written.
Two questions worth asking before you commit
Before you commit to wood shake, ask your insurance agent directly whether your policy covers it and what documentation they need. Then ask your contractor for proof the shakes meet fire code, not just a verbal promise.
What to Know Before You Hire
Cedar shake roofing requires experience that goes beyond standard asphalt shingles. Incorrect spacing, fasteners, flashing, or ventilation can cause shakes to curl, split, trap moisture, and fail early. Ask these four questions before you accept a bid.
How many cedar shake roofs have you worked on this year?
Ask about recent cedar shake repairs and replacements, not a lifetime total for every roof type. Matching and installing natural shakes is a specialized skill.
What cedar products and installation standards do you use?
Confirm the contractor uses properly graded cedar shakes and follows the manufacturer’s instructions, Chicago-area code requirements, and any applicable fire-rating rules.
Can I see your Illinois license and certificate of insurance?
Ask for proof directly from the carrier. General liability and workers’ compensation both matter on labor-intensive cedar shake work.
How do you document storm damage and insurance claims?
You want a contractor who photographs split, lifted, and impact-damaged shakes, documents the surrounding roof, and can meet your adjuster when needed.
Call a contractor before you call your insurance company.
Many homeowners file a claim before the roof is properly inspected. If the damage is undervalued, they can spend months trying to correct the scope. Get a cedar-specific inspection and written documentation before you open a claim.
One last thing: read the reviews, but look for cedar or wood shake work specifically. A five-star asphalt-shingle review does not show whether a crew can match existing shakes, maintain proper spacing, or flash cedar details correctly.
We pass our own cedar checklist.
- Experienced in cedar shake repair & replacement
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Illinois
- Chicago-area code & fire-rating knowledge
- We meet your adjuster when needed
- Written documentation with every inspection
Or call (773) 993-0998
No pressure, no obligation. Just a straight answer on what your roof actually needs.
What to Expect During Wood Shake Repair or Replacement
Once we are on your roof, the process looks different than a standard shingle job. Wood shake work is slower, and it should be. Here is how it usually goes.
We inspect each shake and mark which ones are split, curled, or missing entirely.
We check the decking underneath for rot or soft spots, especially near valleys and chimneys.
Damaged shakes get pulled without disturbing the sound ones around them.
New cedar shakes get installed to match the existing spacing and exposure.
We check flashing around vents and chimneys since that is where leaks usually start.
Cleanup happens last. We run a magnetic sweep for nails and clear debris from gutters.
For a full replacement, the timeline stretches longer than asphalt. Crews have to hand-split or select each shake for fit. There is no rolling a shake roof on fast. Homes in Lake Forest near the lakefront often have older cedar roofs that were installed decades ago. The decking underneath needs a close look before any new material goes down.
Often, the damage looks worse from the ground than it is once we are up close. That is exactly why an inspection matters before anyone assumes the worst or signs anything.
Beyond the Roof
The Rest of Your Exterior, Handled
Six more services under one roof — same crew, same warranty, same number to call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Shake Roofing
Common questions about wood shake roofing in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.