If your home was built before 1995 in the Lower Mainland, there's a strong chance the original roof was cedar shake or shingle. Most of those roofs are now past service life and the conversion to architectural asphalt is one of the most common projects we quote. The conversion adds $3,000-$5,500 to a typical re-roof because of three required steps: tear-off and disposal of the old shake, plywood sheathing over the original skip-sheathing (1x4 or 1x6 boards spaced for shake ventilation), and the standard re-roof package on top. Done right, the result is a 25-30 year asphalt roof with proper ventilation and a manufacturer warranty that survives BC weather.
Cedar shake roofs are installed on skip-sheathing — boards spaced with 1.5" to 3" gaps to let air circulate and dry the shake from underneath. Asphalt shingles need a continuous solid deck (typically 1/2" plywood or 7/16" OSB) for proper nail-holding and weatherproofing. Installing shingle directly over skip-sheathing voids every manufacturer warranty in North America and produces an immediate code violation. The plywood re-sheath isn't optional — it's structural.
The Conversion Process
Day 1 — full strip of cedar shake, sweep of skip-sheathing, removal of old felt and any original underlayment. Inspection of the structural sheathing for rot or damage, especially around chimneys, valleys, and sidewalls. Day 1-2 — install 1/2" plywood sheathing over the entire roof, blocking and nailing per BC Building Code 9.23. Day 2-3 — install ice-and-water shield at all eaves, valleys, sidewalls, and penetrations. Synthetic underlayment over the remaining field. New aluminum drip edge, new step and counter flashing, new pipe boots. Day 3-4 — shingle install with starter strip, field shingles in approved exposure, hip and ridge cap. Magnetic nail sweep, full cleanup, final inspection.
Cost Breakdown
Cedar tear-off and disposal: $1,200-$2,400 depending on home size and dump fees. Plywood re-sheathing: $1,800-$3,100 depending on roof area (typically 22-32 squares of plywood at $80-$110 per square installed). Add this to the standard re-roof package ($475-$575 per square installed) and a typical 25-square cedar conversion lands at $14,500-$18,500 turnkey.
Ventilation Matters Even More
Cedar roofs vented from underneath through the skip-sheathing. Once you re-sheath solid, you must engineer airflow through soffit intake and ridge exhaust or you'll trap moisture in the attic and shorten shingle life by 8-10 years. Every cedar conversion we quote includes a ventilation audit and corrected intake/exhaust ratio — typically continuous ridge vent paired with continuous soffit vent or properly sized intake plugs.
When to Convert vs Re-Cedar
Re-cedaring is still possible but rarely makes financial sense in 2026. New cedar shake runs $1,400-$2,200 per square installed (3x asphalt), requires re-treatment every 4-6 years, and has a 20-25 year service life — shorter than premium architectural shingle at half the cost. The exceptions are heritage properties with design-review constraints (Shaughnessy, Queen's Park, Clayburn) where cedar is mandated, and high-end West Vancouver custom builds where cedar is part of the architectural vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does cedar to asphalt conversion cost?
Add $3,000-$5,500 to a standard re-roof. Typical 25-square home converts for $14,500-$18,500 turnkey.
Can you shingle over cedar?
No. Cedar is on skip-sheathing; asphalt requires a continuous solid deck. The plywood re-sheath is mandatory.
How long does a conversion take?
Three to five working days for a typical home.
Will it look different from the cedar?
Yes — but designer shingles like Malarkey Windsor or DaVinci Bellaforté Shake replicate the cedar look very convincingly.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes — licensed and bonded in BC, $5 million liability insurance, and full WorkSafeBC coverage on every crew member. Documentation provided on request before any contract is signed.
Do you subcontract?
No. Every Budget Roofers crew member is a full-time employee. We do not subcontract install work.
What's your warranty?
25-year manufacturer material warranty plus 10-year Budget Roofers workmanship warranty. Premium and designer profiles carry 30-50 year manufacturer terms.
How long does install take?
2-4 days for a typical single-family home; 5-7 for complex layouts; 3-5 working days for cedar conversions.
Do you offer financing?
Yes — 0% for 12-24 months, longer terms up to 120 months through Financeit and SNAP. Soft-pull pre-qualification, decision in minutes.
What if it rains during install?
We monitor Environment Canada hourly and pause for heavy rain. We can tarp and dry-in safely in light rain. Warranty depends on dry installation conditions.
Do you handle permits?
Yes — included in the fixed price. We pull permits in your name and schedule inspections.
What if the decking is rotten?
Standard quote includes 4 sheets of replacement decking. Additional sheets billed at $85-$120 installed; we always show you damaged sheets before replacement.