Cedar shake roofs are beautiful and timeless, but they can also be expensive. Prices on these gorgeous roofs have also unfortunately risen in recent years due to rising lumber costs and falling supply. If you’ve got your heart set on a new cedar shake roof for your Charleston home you’re probably wondering just how much it’s going to set you back.
Cost of Cedar Shake Roofs in Charleston
The typical cost of a cedar shake roof in Charleston is around $9.00 to $14.00 per square foot or $900 to $1400 per square. The average home in Charleston is around 1700 square foot, which means the cost to install a new cedar roof on an average home would be between $15,300 and $23,800. 
How Home Size Impacts Cost of Roof
The cost of your new cedar shake roof will be largely determined by the size of your home. Because roofing materials and installation are charged by the square, the bigger your home is the more expensive it will be to install a new roof. The following ranges can help give you a general idea of what to expect when you start pricing out a cedar shake roof in Charleston.
- 1000 square foot home: $9,000 – $14,000
- 1500 square foot home: $13,500 – $21,000
- 2000 square foot home: $18,000 – $28,000
- 2500 square foot home: $22,500 – $35,000
- 3000 square foot home: $27,000 – $42,000
The general size of your home isn’t the only factor in the cost of a new cedar shake roof and the actual square of the roof can be greatly impacted by the pitch, or slope, of the roof. Roofing contractors use what is called a “pitch multiplier” to take into account the steepness of your roof and determine the real size of the roof based on the square footage of your home.
Pros and Cons of a Cedar Shake Roof
A new roof is a major investment and the cost isn’t the only factor that should be considered when deciding what type of roof you’re going to get. Weighing the overall pros and cons of a new cedar shake roof will help you determine if cedar shakes are right for you. 
Pros of Cedar Shake
Let’s start with the positives:
- Unique and timeless beauty
- Increases property value
- Durable and weather resistant
- Energy efficient
- Environmentally friendly
Cons of Cedar Shake
And then on to the less than great things:
- Very expensive compared to other roofing materials
- Requires regular maintenance
- Humidity sensitive
- Requires regular inspections and treatments
Considering the pros and cons and balancing them with the cost of the roof will help you decide if a cedar shake roof is the right roof for your home.
Is a New Cedar Shake Roof Worth the Cost?
We think so at Roofing USA! The classic design of cedar shake will enhance your curb appeal and add value to your home in Charleston while still withstanding the local weather conditions and offering superior insulation to your home. Being eco-friendly and having a relatively long life expectancy are just added bonuses! We absolutely believe that if you have your heart set on cedar shake it’s well worth the expense. If you’re interested in a new cedar shake roof in Charleston, call Roofing USA for a free, no-obligation inspection!