Cedar Roofing in Burnaby – Natural Beauty and Long-Lasting Strength

Why Homeowners in Burnaby Choose Cedar Roofs

Aesthetics & curb appeal. Nothing matches real Western Red Cedar for warmth and character. The texture, shadow lines, and subtle colour shifts look right at home in Burnaby’s treed neighbourhoods—from Deer Lake to Capitol Hill. Cedar’s depth and dimension elevate rooflines on both craftsman and contemporary homes, and it ages gracefully into a rich silver if left natural (or holds tone beautifully with a clear/toned treatment).

Naturally comfortable feel. Cedar’s cellular structure gives it low thermal conductivity and excellent sound-dampening, which helps keep top-floor rooms cooler on sunny days and quieter during rain. Pair it with balanced soffit-to-ridge ventilation and proper attic insulation, and you get a roof assembly that stays dry between storms and feels pleasantly stable through Burnaby’s seasons.



Premium feel & value boost. A well-detailed cedar roof signals craftsmanship—edge-grain shakes, true felt interlays, and open-metal valleys are the hallmarks buyers notice on walkthroughs. That premium look can enhance perceived value and curb appeal, especially on heritage and custom homes. With routine care (debris clearing and moss control), cedar rewards you with a long, handsome service life that sets your property apart.

Reach Out Today!

Cedar Roof Installation in Burnaby

PARAGON ROOFING BC - PERFECTION IN ROOFING

Tear-off & deck prep

We start with a full tear-off to bare wood—no shortcuts. That lets us inspect the entire roof deck for rot, delamination, or fastener pull-through. Any compromised rafters or strapping is replaced, and we correct plane/slope issues so water runs cleanly to eaves and valleys. At the eaves, we confirm a clear soffit airway (add baffles if needed) and set the stage for balanced soffit-to-ridge ventilation. Drip edges are straightened and re-set, and we snap control lines so every course tracks true across hips and valleys.

Installation of cedar shakes/shingles

We install #1, edge-grain Western Red Cedar (shakes or shingles per your design), sorted on site for uniform thickness and colour. Courses are laid to the correct exposure for Burnaby’s rainfall, with tight joint spacing and proper offset. Fasteners are stainless or hot-dipped galvanized ring-shank—driven flush, never over-driven. On shakes, we build clean, open-metal valleys and craft ridge details that shed wind-driven rain. Every layout is chalk-lined so reveals stay consistent and the roofline reads crisp from the street.

Underlayment & flashing details

Under the cedar, we use a high-performance base underlayment across the field, with self-adhered membrane at eaves, valleys, and penetrations. For shakes, true #30 felt interlays are installed between courses to act as baffles, preventing capillary creep during heavy storms. At walls and skylights, we integrate step and headwall flashings shingle-fashion, tie into counter-flashings, and finish with rain-baffled ridge ventilation. All metals (valley, drip, step, chimney) are selected for coastal compatibility and detailed to RCABC practice so water follows a smooth, continuous path off the roof.

Cedar Roofing Lifespan & Maintenance

How long cedar roofs last in Burnaby

In Burnaby’s cool, wet marine climate, a well-installed cedar roof typically delivers 20–25 years of service. Microclimate matters: north-facing, tree-shaded slopes and windward ridgelines age faster; sunny, well-ventilated roofs age slower. Premium #1 edge-grain Western Red Cedar, open-metal valleys, and balanced soffit-to-ridge airflow can keep your roof on the upper end of that range.

Moss & algae: what to watch for (and why it matters)

• Moss is the big culprit. It holds water like a sponge, lifting shakes and slowing drying after storms—accelerating decay and leak risk.
• Algae/lichen are mostly cosmetic at first but signal persistent surface moisture. Left unchecked, they invite moss and shorten lifespan.

Early signs: spongy patches underfoot, green tufts in shingle gaps, dark moisture staining, and granulated debris in gutters. Addressing these early preserves the roof’s protective profile and keeps water moving off the surface.

Maintenance that makes cedar last

A little routine care dramatically improves durability and appearance:

• Annual debris removal: Clear needles/leaves from valleys, gutters, and between courses—ideally after fall leaf-drop.
• Moss suppression (spring or fall): Apply cedar-safe moss control (or install discreet zinc/copper strips near the ridge); avoid pressure washing and harsh chemicals that scar wood.
• Ventilation check: Keep soffit baffles open and ridge vents unobstructed so the deck dries between storms.
• Trim back overhangs: More sun + airflow = faster drying and fewer moss colonies.
• Targeted shake swaps: Replace split, cupped, or displaced pieces before water reaches the deck.
• Pro inspection every 2–3 years: Review flashings, open-metal valleys, and penetrations; refresh sealants where appropriate and confirm fasteners.



Bottom line: consistent cleaning, moss control, healthy ventilation, and timely minor repairs keep a cedar roof in Burnaby performing beautifully—and reliably—through our rainiest seasons.

Cedar vs Asphalt vs Synthetic Roofing in Burnaby

Choosing between cedar, asphalt, and synthetic comes down to look, upkeep, and budget—tempered by Burnaby’s cool, wet, moss-friendly climate.

Cedar — character-forward, maintenance-heavy

• Typical installed cost: ~$16–$28/ft² (CAD) with tear-off on a simple roof.
• Realistic lifespan: 20–25 years here with edge-grain material and steady upkeep.
• Appearance: Warm West Coast texture that weathers to a coastal silver; nothing truly duplicates real cedar.
• Maintenance: Highest of the three—annual debris clearing, moss suppression (zinc/copper or cedar-safe treatments), and targeted shake replacements; ventilation matters.
• Storm performance: Excellent with open-metal valleys, proper interlays, and balanced attic airflow.
• Best fit: Character homes and curb-appeal streets where the look carries the value.

Asphalt (architectural shingles) — budget-smart, widely compatible

• Typical installed cost: ~$7–$12/ft² (CAD) with tear-off.
• Realistic lifespan: 18–25 years with quality shingles, sealed underlayment, and good ventilation.
• Appearance: Clean dimensional profiles in many colours; easy to match neighbourhood palettes.
• Maintenance: Moderate—keep valleys/gutters clear; choose algae-resistant lines to limit streaking; verify tab seals set after install.
• Storm performance: Strong with sealed underlayment, correct nailing, and balanced soffit-to-ridge ventilation.
• Best fit: Value-driven replacements, most styles, predictable costs.

Synthetic (composite) — premium look, low upkeep

• Typical installed cost: ~$12–$20/ft² (CAD) with tear-off.
• Realistic lifespan: 30–40 years (product-specific) in local conditions.
• Appearance: High-end “cedar/slate/tile” looks with stable colour and crisp profiles.
• Maintenance: Low—seasonal rinse and routine flashing/fastener checks; less moss adhesion than wood.
• Storm performance: Excellent; dimensionally stable with the same underlayment and ventilation rules.
• Best fit: Homeowners wanting premium curb appeal without wood maintenance—great for long-horizon ownership.



Pricing notes: Ranges above assume a simple gable/hip with standard underlayment/flashings and full tear-off. Steep or cut-up roofs, skylights, plywood repairs, and complex edges/valleys increase totals.

We let our reviews do the talking.

Brands you know and trust.

Why Choose Paragon Roofing BC for Cedar Roofing

Local Burnaby Roofing Expertise

Built-for-cedar crews. Our installers don’t “also do cedar”—they specialize in it. From sorting prime edge-grain shakes to setting true #30 felt interlays and dialing exposure lines to the millimetre, the team runs a cedar-specific checklist that typical shingle crews don’t use.

RCABC-style details, every time. Cedar roofs live or die on the assembly. We standardize open-metal valleys, continuous liners, shingle-fashion laps, and balanced soffit-to-ridge ventilation so your deck dries between storms and your valleys move peak Burnaby rain without drama.

Local Burnaby know-how. We’ve reroofed in Buckingham Heights, Deer Lake, Capitol Hill, Brentwood, and the forested pockets where moss pressure is real. Expect honest guidance on shade, airflow, and moss suppression (zinc/copper strategies) that fit your block—not generic advice from somewhere sunny.

Material curation that matters. Cedar isn’t all equal. We spec edge-grain, heartwood-rich shakes/shingles, tight exposure schedules, and stainless/compatible fasteners. Want a smoother silhouette? We’ll walk you through taper-sawn vs hand-split & resawn profiles—pros, cons, and what photographs best on your home.

Moisture & ventilation tuned for our climate. Before we ever lift a bundle, we fix the ceiling air-sealing, clear soffit paths with baffles, and confirm ridge NFA. That’s how you avoid winter condensation and keep cedar from “staying wet” after storms.

Flashing that looks good and lasts. Clean, low-profile saddles and step flashings in the right metals (no galvanic surprises), kick-outs at walls, and tidy terminations—details that protect siding and keep facades streak-free.

Portfolio you can walk past. Ask to see recent Burnaby cedar projects—with addresses you can drive by. We’ll share before/after galleries and drone stills so you can judge ridge lines, valley work, and overall craft for yourself.

Transparent timelines, tidy sites. Careful tear-off, selective plywood replacement, protected landscaping, magnetic sweep—then warranty handoff with maintenance tips tailored to your lot (tree canopy, orientation, and wind exposure).



Ready to talk cedar? Book a quick assessment and we’ll bring samples, profile options, and a site-specific plan that balances beauty, durability, and upkeep for Burnaby’s marine climate.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Roofing is an investment into your property. Here are some FAQs to help navigate making that choice.

Here's What Our Existing Clients Think.

Home and business owners we've served across the greater Vancouver area.

We look forward to helping you.

For all your roofing needs, give us a call, text, or email. 604-358-3436