| ASPHALT SHINGLES |
CEDAR SHAKE |
TIMING SIGNAL |
| Age 20-25+ years |
Age 30-35+ without maintenance |
Approaching or past material service life |
| Heavy granule loss in gutters |
30%+ of shakes splitting or splitting at top |
Surface protecting layer is gone |
| Widespread curling / cupping |
Widespread lifting and curling |
UV degradation past effective service life |
| Soft or spongy spots on deck |
Underlying felt deteriorated in multiple areas |
Moisture compromised the structure |
| Prior layer of shingles present |
Multiple layers of felt or shake |
Must remove before new installation |
| Recurring leaks after repair |
Recurring leaks after spot replacement |
Source is systemic, not isolated |
| Storm damage across multiple planes |
Storm damaged widespread shake sections |
Repair scope approaches replacement cost |
A free Huuso inspection identifies exactly where your roof stands — with evidence and photos, not a sales agenda.
Cedar Shake Roof Replacement — Real Cedar or Composite Upgrade?
When a cedar shake roof in the south suburbs reaches end of life, homeowners face a decision that most Chicagoland contractors cannot walk them through properly — because most of those contractors do not offer real cedar shake installation. Huuso Exteriors does both, which means we can give you an honest comparison rather than defaulting to whatever we can actually do.
Option 1: Real Cedar Shake Replacement
Genuine Western Red Cedar shake — the same material that went on your home in 1975 — installed by crews who understand how cedar behaves in Illinois conditions. A properly installed cedar shake roof has a 30 to 50-year service life with the annual maintenance commitment: professional cleaning, retreatment with wood preservatives and fire retardants, and periodic flashing inspection. For homeowners committed to maintaining the authentic material, this is the right path. We install it correctly.
Option 2: Brava Composite Cedar Shake
For homeowners who want the cedar shake profile maintained — the shadow lines, the varied textures, the rustic architectural character that defines these south suburban homes — without the annual maintenance requirement, Brava composite cedar shake is the premium upgrade choice that many of our customers have selected.
Brava is manufactured from recycled materials through a proprietary process that creates authentic wood grain texture at tile widths of 5, 7, and 12 inches — the same dimensions as real cedar shake. Their through-body coloring means the color goes all the way through the tile, not just surface-applied, so weathering and minor surface abrasion do not affect the appearance. The performance specifications are exceptional for the Chicagoland climate: Class 4 impact rating (the highest possible under UL 2218 testing — the same tier as premium Malarkey shingles), Class A fire rating, and 50-year warranty.
The 2025 Brava Excellence Award for contractor craftsmanship went to a cedar shake replacement project in Barrington, Illinois — a house in the same north and northwest suburban market as the homes we serve in the south suburbs. The homeowner removed aging cedar shake and replaced it with Brava Cedar Shake in Aspen color. The result, by all accounts, is architecturally indistinguishable from real cedar at street level.
WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR HOME? WE TELL YOU HONESTLY.
We install both. We benefit financially from either path. Our recommendation is based on
your specific cedar shake’s current condition, your long-term plans for the property,
and your honest appetite for annual cedar maintenance.
If your cedar is structurally sound and you are committed to the maintenance — real cedar makes sense.
If your cedar is at end of life and you want the aesthetic without the annual time and cost commitment — Brava.
Call 855-625-7663 for a free assessment and material samples for both options.
What Is Included in Every Huuso Exteriors Roof Replacement
We do not offer tiered packages where the entry-level scope cuts corners. Every replacement — on a $9,000 Romeoville asphalt job and a $40,000 Hinsdale cedar shake job — includes every item below.
| # |
INCLUDED IN EVERY REPLACEMENT |
| 01 |
Free on-site assessment and written estimate — no phone quotes |
| 02 |
Building permit applied for and managed by us at no additional charge |
| 03 |
Complete tear-off of all existing layers — no layer-over installations |
| 04 |
Full deck inspection once exposed — rotted sections replaced and documented |
| 05 |
Ice and water shield at all eaves, valleys, and penetration points |
| 06 |
Manufacturer-specification underlayment and shingle/shake/tile installation |
| 07 |
All flashings replaced — chimneys, skylights, vents, valleys. Metal only. |
| 08 |
Ridge cap installation per manufacturer specification |
| 09 |
Full yard sweep with industrial magnetic rollers before departure |
| 10 |
Owner walkthrough — job is not done until you confirm it is right |
| 11 |
Building department inspection scheduled and managed by us |
| 12 |
10-year workmanship warranty documentation delivered |
| 13 |
Automatic enrollment in the free Huuso Roof Care Program |
Why We Always Tear Off — On Every Project
Some roofing companies offer to install new shingles over existing shingles to save time and disposal costs. This is never something we offer, and here is why it specifically matters in the Illinois market.
First, the deck. Illinois homes with 20 to 25-year-old roofs have typically experienced ice damming, slow flashing leaks, or both. Deck damage from those events is only visible on tear-off. Covering a compromised deck without inspection and repair produces a roof that fails ahead of its warranty period — on a failure mode that the homeowner has no way to detect until it presents as an interior leak.
Second, the warranty. Owens Corning’s Preferred Contractor warranty — the non-prorated warranty that only contractors like Huuso can offer — requires installation over a clean, sound deck. Layer-over installations void this warranty. A contractor who installs shingles over existing shingles and sells you an Owens Corning warranty is selling you coverage that will not be honored when you try to use it.
Third, heat. Two layers of asphalt trap significantly more heat than one. In Illinois summers where attic temperatures regularly reach 150°F+, that additional heat load accelerates granule adhesion failure on the new shingles — the exact problem the homeowner is paying to solve — typically within 5 to 10 years.
Fourth, on cedar shake: there is no legitimate version of installing anything over existing cedar shake. The surface profile of cedar shake makes uniform nailing of a new layer structurally impossible. Every cedar shake replacement is a full tear-off — full stop.
5% VETERAN DISCOUNT + FREE ROOF AND GUTTER INSPECTION
Huuso Exteriors is veteran-owned. Kevin Reifsteck served in the United States military before co-founding this company.
— 5% discount on installation for active duty, retired, and veteran military service members.
— FREE professional inspection of your complete roof AND gutter system at no charge.
Show a valid military ID, DD-214, or VA identification card. Call 855-625-7663. Thank you for your service.
5% SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
5% off installation for homeowners age 62 and older throughout our Chicagoland service area.
Same licensed contractors, same owner-supervised installation, same 10-year workmanship warranty — at a reduced cost.
Just mention it when you call. 855-625-7663.
THE HUUSO ROOF CARE PROGRAM — FREE FOR EVERY CUSTOMER, FOR LIFE
Every Huuso Exteriors customer is automatically enrolled at no charge — ever. We return on a scheduled basis
to inspect your roof, identify developing issues before they become expensive repairs, check flashings and
drainage points, and keep your warranty documentation current. No forms, no fees, no expiration.
No other Chicagoland roofing company makes this commitment.
