The previous owners of our house seriously over-invested in this property. One of their most notable splurges was installing a real cedar shake roof. Fast forward to today, and that roof is approaching the end of its useful lifespan.
Part of the issue comes down to geography and design: our home sits on a strict north-south orientation. While the front half gets plenty of sun and still looks reasonably fine, the back half remains perpetually shaded. Because it never gets enough direct sunlight to properly dry out, the back of our house currently looks like a scene straight out of a David Attenborough documentary—replete with moss, lichen, and actual ferns thriving on the shingles. While it certainly creates a charming, storybook ecosystem, it’s a total disaster for the lifespan of wood shakes.
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A few years ago, we got a quote to replace the entire roof with new cedar shakes, and it came in at around $75,000. Mind you, that was four or five years ago, long before building material prices skyrocketed. Spending that kind of money on a roof simply wasn't in the cards then, and it certainly isn't now.
However, we really prefer not to put traditional asphalt shingles on this house—it just wouldn't suit the architectural character. But as I’ve dug deeper into non-asphalt options, a frustrating pattern has emerged: almost every premium alternative is clustered in a similar higher-tier price bracket.
Here is how the main non-asphalt roof replacement options stack up given the state of building materials today:
1. Synthetic / Composite Cedar Shake
Relative Price: High (Moderate to High relative to real cedar; roughly 10%–20% lower than raw cedar shakes, but comparable overall when factoring in low long-term maintenance).
The Reality: Modern synthetic shakes (made from engineered polymers or rubber composites) closely mirror the texture and shadow lines of natural wood. Unlike real wood, they are entirely immune to moss, rot, and moisture absorption—making them ideal for a heavily shaded north-facing roof. While material and specialized labor costs remain steep, you save significantly on ongoing maintenance and sealants over time.
2. Standing Seam Metal
Relative Price: Moderate–High (Generally 15%–25% less expensive than real cedar shakes, depending on gauge and metal type).
The Reality: Standing seam metal is one of the most durable premium choices available. Concealed fasteners and vertical interlocking panels provide exceptional water resistance and easily shed moisture, preventing moss from taking root. While it carries a substantial upfront cost compared to basic asphalt, it sits on the lower end of the high-end specialty market.
3. Stamped / Flat Metal Shingles or Panels
Relative Price: Moderate (Slightly lower than standing seam metal, typically 20%–30% less than real cedar shakes).
The Reality: Formed metal tiles or flat panels designed to mimic slate, tile, or traditional shingle patterns offer a clean look with strong weather performance. They reflect heat well and handle damp, shaded conditions without degrading. They provide a high-end metal appearance at a slightly more accessible price point than custom-fitted standing seam systems.
4. Natural Cedar Shake Replacement
Relative Price: Very High (The baseline benchmark for high-end wood roofs).
The Reality: Re-roofing in authentic cedar shake is an expensive proposition today due to timber costs, pressure-treating requirements, and skilled labor. On a house with shaded moisture traps, natural cedar will inevitably face the exact same deterioration issues down the road unless treated and cleaned every couple of years.
5. Ceramic, Clay, or Concrete Tile
Relative Price: Extreme (Frequently 10%–35% higher than real cedar shake).
The Reality: Clay and ceramic tiles offer timeless beauty and extreme longevity, but they carry a severe weight penalty. Beyond the exorbitant material and specialized installation costs, most homes not originally engineered for tile require structural roof reinforcement, driving total project costs even higher.
Finding a middle ground between aesthetic appeal and practical durability is tricky when dealing with a heavily shaded roof line, but modern composite and metal systems prove that you don't have to compromise on style to get a long-lasting, moss-resistant roof.
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