Synthetic Cedar Shake vs. Standing Seam Metal: Choosing Our Roof Alternative

Now that Frank and I have officially ruled out spending a small fortune to re-roof our house in authentic cedar shakes—and ruled out basic asphalt shingles because they just won't do the house justice—we’ve narrowed our final choices down to two main contenders: Synthetic (Composite) Cedar Shake and Standing Seam Metal.

Generated by Gemini

Generated by Gemini

Both options solve our biggest head-shaking problem: the damp, perpetually shaded north slope of our house that currently looks like a mossy forest floor. Neither option rots, neither absorbs moisture, and both are built to last for decades.

So, how do we choose between them? Here is how synthetic shake and standing seam metal stack up head-to-head for our home.

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Synthetic Cedar Shake

Synthetic shakes are made from high-density polymers or recycled rubber/plastic composites engineered to mirror the thick texture, split grain, and heavy shadow lines of natural wood.

The Pros:

• Architectural Authenticity: From the street, high-end synthetic shake is virtually indistinguishable from real wood. It preserves the exact historical texture and character our house was designed to have.
• Impervious to Moisture & Organics: Unlike natural cedar, synthetic materials don't absorb water. Moss, lichen, and ferns can't root into polymer, making it ideal for our damp, shaded back roof.
• High Impact & Fire Resistance: Most synthetic shake systems carry a Class A fire rating and Class 4 impact rating (the highest available for hail).
• Color Stability: Modern composites use UV inhibitors, so the color won't fade or weather unevenly between our sun-drenched south side and shaded north side.

The Cons:

• Material & Installation Cost: Because it is a specialty product requiring precise installation techniques and specialized accessories (ridge caps, starter courses), labor and materials remain near the top end of the market.
• Complex Roof Line Labor: On roofs with multiple dormers, valleys, or steep pitches, trimming and fitting synthetic tiles requires significant time.

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Standing Seam Metal

Standing seam metal roofing features broad, flat metal panels with vertical legs connected by concealed fasteners. The seams are raised above the roof surface, allowing water and debris to run off effortlessly.

The Pros:

• Superior Shedding Ability: The smooth surface and vertical panels mean pine needles, leaves, snow, and rain slide off instantly. Moss simply has nowhere to anchor itself.
• Extreme Longevity: A quality standing seam roof (Kynar 500-coated steel or aluminum) can easily last 50+ years with virtually zero maintenance.
• Slightly Better Upfront Price: Depending on the gauge and coating, standing seam metal often comes in slightly below the total installed price of top-tier synthetic cedar shake.
• Concealed Fasteners: Unlike corrugated metal roofs with exposed screws, standing seam conceals all fasteners beneath the seams, eliminating common leak points over time.

The Cons:

• Aesthetic Shift: Standing seam gives a crisp, modern, or upscale modern-farmhouse look. Depending on the architecture of the house, it can feel like a departure from traditional wood-textured character.
• Acoustics During Rain: While solid roof decking and attic insulation muffle sound significantly, heavy rainfall can produce a faint tapping sound compared to thick composite tiles.
• Shedding Hazards: Because metal sheds snow and ice so efficiently, heavy slides off the north roof can impact ground landscaping unless snow guards are installed.

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Why We Would Choose One Over the Other

When it comes down to the final decision for our roof, here is how Frank and I view the tipping points:

We would choose Synthetic Cedar Shake if... preserving the original architectural aesthetic and classic warmth of cedar is our absolute top priority. If we want visitors (and ourselves) to pull into the driveway and see a rich, textured wood-look roof without ever worrying about moss rot again, synthetic is the clear winner.

We would choose Standing Seam Metal if... we want the absolute lowest-maintenance, slickest water-and-debris shedding machine possible for that shaded back slope, combined with a sleek contrast and a slightly lower overall quote.

Both options give us a permanent fix to our moss ecosystem, but deciding between classic rustic character and clean-lined metal durability is where the final call lies.