Do you like the timeless look of a real cedar shake roof but are worried about spending tens of thousands of dollars on a material that could require thousands more in maintenance over its lifetime? Or are you considering Euroshield as a lower-maintenance alternative, but concerned that choosing imitation shake means sacrificing the appearance or quality you expect?
At RoofSmart, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across the Seattle area find the right roof for them by assessing your budget, your aesthetic preferences, and your roof’s unique needs. We’ve also seen how cedar shake and Euroshield shake shingles actually perform in Seattle weather.
In this article, we’ll compare Euroshield with premium cedar shake based on appearance, durability, lifespan, algae resistance, installation cost, environmental impact, installation requirements, and ongoing maintenance. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which premium roofing material makes the most sense for your priorities and budget.
When comparing cedar shake to any other roofing materials, it is essential to be specific about which grade of cedar shake you’re talking about. You cannot compare them as a group because each grade is different.
Premium cedar shake is a top-quality product. However, the lower grades get less and less durable because they are made of lower-quality cedar.
So, if you’re comparing cedar shake to Euroshield, it’s going to be completely different than if you were to compare it to a lower grade of cedar shake. It’s not really a fair comparison.
|
Category |
Euroshield |
Premium Cedar Shake |
Winner |
|
Material |
Recycled rubber designed to imitate cedar shake |
Natural cedar wood |
Depends on preference |
|
Appearance |
Imitates cedar and develops a more weathered look over time |
Authentic, natural cedar appearance |
Premium cedar shake |
|
Impact resistance |
Class 4 impact resistance; highly durable |
More vulnerable to major impact damage |
Euroshield |
|
Expected lifespan |
Around 50 years |
Around 50 years with proper protection and maintenance |
Tie |
|
Algae resistance |
Non-porous rubber makes algae growth less likely |
Can develop algae growth over time |
Euroshield |
|
Seattle-area installation cost |
About $60,000–$70,000 |
About $60,000–$100,000 |
Potentially similar, but cedar can cost more |
|
Environmental considerations |
Made from recycled rubber tires and recyclable after removal |
Made from natural cedar wood; not recyclable |
Euroshield |
|
Installation |
Requires specialized knowledge but is less complicated than cedar |
More technical and labor-intensive to install |
Euroshield |
|
Maintenance |
Does not require special coatings or expensive recurring maintenance |
May require significant ongoing maintenance depending on the cedar treatment |
Euroshield |
|
Best fit |
Homeowners prioritizing durability, lower maintenance, and long-term value |
Homeowners who prioritize the authentic appearance of real cedar |
Depends on priorities |
Euroshield is a roofing material made of rubber and is designed to imitate the look of premium cedar shake (they also have a shingle that looks like slate tile). The purpose of this section is to demonstrate how real premium cedar performs in Seattle conditions compared to Euroshield.
Each material will be assessed based on its performance in each of these categories so that you can choose the one that is the best fit for you.
Winner: Premium cedar shake
When it comes to the aesthetic of cedar shake roofs, you cannot beat premium cedar shake. It’s a timeless look that immediately elevates your home’s curb appeal.
Euroshield imitates the look of cedar shake. It looks good, but nothing can compare to the original. Euroshield looks even better as it ages. After a year on your roof, the color deepens even more as it settles into a more weathered look.
Winner: Euroshield
Euroshield is extremely bouncy and durable with a Class 4 impact resistance rating. I’ve seen it withstand minimal damage during Seattle windstorms. Premium cedar shake cannot protect your roof in the same way.
In fact, last fall, a homeowner with Euroshield had a tree fall on her roof during a storm. The outside of her roof had a few small dents and one minimal puncture. There were also two cracked trusses.
A similar incident happened on a cedar shake roof, but it didn’t fare as well. A similar-sized tree fell on this roof and crashed through the roof. Several trusses were fully damaged, and the roof had to be replaced.
Tie: Euroshield and premium cedar shake
Both Euroshield and premium cedar shake are expected to last around 50 years. Keep in mind that premium cedar shake is only expected to last this long when it has the right protective coating and gets it reapplied every 5 to 10 years.
Winner: Euroshield
Euroshield is made of rubber and is non-porous, which makes it naturally resistant to algae growth. New premium cedar shake should be protected from algae growth for a while, but it can still happen. It’s possible for algae to grow on Euroshield shake products, but it’s far less likely.
Tie: Euroshield and premium cedar shake
Euroshield costs around $60,000 to $70,000 to install in the Seattle area. Premium cedar shake can cost anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000.
These materials have the potential to cost around the same for a roof replacement. However, premium cedar shake gets shipped in from Canada and is more labor-intensive to install, so it can easily cost more.
Winner: Euroshield
Euroshield is made of recycled rubber tires and is fully recyclable after you remove it from the roof. On the other hand, premium cedar shake is made from cedar wood and is not recyclable.
Winner: Euroshield
Your roofer will need special tools and plenty of expertise to properly install a cedar shake roof. Euroshield also requires skill and knowledge to install, but it’s not as complicated and technical as installing cedar shakes.
Winner: Euroshield
Euroshield doesn’t require any special coatings or expensive maintenance, whereas premium cedar requires $5k to $10k in professional maintenance every ~5 years to reapply the protective chemical coating.
Euroshield is also grippy, making it safer to walk on while you’re cleaning off debris or performing other maintenance.
For premium cedar, you can choose between CCA shake or a fire-treated shake (you can’t get both).
I recommend CCA for Seattle-area homeowners. And if you have that, then you can't apply a stain, so most people have raw cedar. That's going to last for a while, but if you don't do anything to it, it's going to break down.
If you're going to do premium heartwood, old-growth cedar, you may as well get CCA so you don't have to mess with it again. All you have to do is clean off the debris.
For most Seattle homeowners, the decision comes down to the cost. Euroshield offers superior performance and lower long-term cost compared to premium cedar shake. If you’re willing to spend more than you would for an asphalt shingle roof and want great protection, then Euroshield is a great choice.
If the most important thing to you is the aesthetic of your home, then nothing can top the look of real cedar shake. It’s expensive to install and maintain, so you have to really want it.
If you love the look of cedar shake but are concerned about its cost (including maintenance) and its ability to protect your roof from damage, Euroshield can be a compelling alternative. Both Euroshield and premium cedar shake can last around 50 years, but Euroshield stands out for its Class 4 impact resistance, algae resistance, recyclability, and lower maintenance requirements.
But as you’ve learned in this article, premium cedar still has one advantage Euroshield can’t fully replicate: the authentic appearance of real cedar. If aesthetics are your top priority and you’re comfortable with the costs, premium cedar may still be worth the investment.
Before spending $60,000 to $70,000 on a Euroshield roof, though, you should understand the material’s drawbacks as well as its benefits.
Read our article “Pros and Cons of Euroshield: Is It Right For My Seattle Roof?” for a closer look at what you can expect from Euroshield and whether it’s the right roofing material for your Seattle-area home.