Replacing a Cedar Shake Roof in Calgary: Shingles or Euroshield?
Cedar shake roofs gave a lot of Calgary homes their classic look. But many of those roofs are now 20, 25, even 30 years old, and they're showing it. If you're thinking about replacing your cedar shakes, here's what you need to know, and how to choose between asphalt shingles and Euroshield rubber roofing.
Why cedar shakes struggle in Calgary
Dry climate: Our dry air and strong sun make cedar dry out, crack and split over time.
Hail: Older, brittle shakes break easily in hailstorms, and Calgary gets some of the worst hail in Canada.
Fire risk: Untreated wood roofs are more flammable than shingle or rubber roofs.
Maintenance: Cedar needs regular cleaning and treatment to last, and replacing broken shakes is getting harder and more expensive.
Insurance: Many insurers are stricter with older wood roofs. Some charge more, limit coverage, or ask for the roof to be replaced. Check with your insurance company about your policy.
Option 1: GAF architectural shingles
GAF Timberline® shingles are the most popular choice for replacing cedar. They're dimensional shingles with a layered look, they come in wood-tone colours like Weathered Wood, Barkwood and Shakewood, and they cost less than most premium options.
Timberline HDZ®: North America's #1-selling shingle, with LayerLock™ technology and a 15-year WindProven™ limited wind warranty with no maximum wind speed (when installed with qualifying GAF accessories).
Timberline UHDZ®: GAF's premium shingle with a dual shadow line for a deeper, more shake-like look, and a UL 2218 Class 4 impact-resistance rating, the highest rating for hail.
Best for: homeowners who want a great-looking, durable roof at a more affordable price.
Option 2: Euroshield rubber roofing (made in Calgary)
If you love the look of cedar shakes, Euroshield is the closest thing to keeping it, without the problems. Euroshield is made right here in Calgary from about 95% recycled material, mostly recycled tires.
Shake look: Ranchlands Shake and Beaumont Shake are designed to look like hand-split wood shakes. Slate styles are also available.
Hail protection: Class 4 UL 2218 impact rating, with a 50-year warranty covering hail damage up to 2 inches on most products.
Low maintenance: No rot, no splitting, no treating.
Eco-friendly: An average home uses hundreds of recycled tires that would otherwise go to landfill.
Best for: homeowners who want to keep a shake look, want top hail protection, and plan to stay in their home long term. It's a premium product, so it costs more up front.
Quick comparison
GAF Shingles | Euroshield Rubber | |
Look | Dimensional shingle, wood-tone colours | Realistic wood shake or slate |
Hail rating | Class 4 with Timberline UHDZ® | Class 4 on all products |
Price | More affordable | Premium |
Made in | North America | Calgary, Alberta |
What's involved in replacing cedar shakes
Many cedar roofs were installed over spaced wood boards, called skip sheathing, which help the cedar dry. When replacing cedar with asphalt shingles or rubber roofing, we inspect the existing decking and follow the new roofing manufacturer’s requirements. If your roof has spaced boards and needs a solid deck, we install plywood or OSB sheathing across the roof to provide a firm, even base. Any required sheathing work and its cost will be clearly explained in your estimate.
Some Calgary communities also have architectural guidelines about roof materials or appearance. If you're in one of those areas, check with your community association before choosing a product. Euroshield's shake styles are often a good fit.
Get a free estimate for your cedar roof
Stormguard Roofing & Exteriors is a family-owned, GAF Master Elite® roofing contractor serving Calgary and surrounding areas. We install both GAF shingles and Euroshield, so we'll help you choose what's right for your home and budget.
📞 Call or text 587-899-4656
💬 Get a ballpark price with our Instant Quote tool
💳 Financing available: get pre-approved with Financeit
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