Cedar shake and shingle roofs (what many Dallas owners simply call wood roofs) offer a warmth no manufactured product fully matches, with maintenance realities worth walking into open-eyed.
Choosing cedar in Dallas is a commitment. The wood weathers beautifully and insulates naturally, but it asks more of the installer and the owner than asphalt does. Fire treatment matters, ventilation matters twice as much, and hail is harder on wood than on Class 4 composites. For owners who love the material, nothing substitutes; for those drawn mainly to the look, our synthetic shake guide lays out the alternative honestly. Estimates are written and free, and inspections are documented with photos. We will not waive a deductible, which Texas law forbids, and we do not work as a public adjuster.
What the Dallas Hail Record Means for a Cedar Roof
Hail sets the terms for cedar here. Within 13 miles of Dallas, 77 days since 2006 have produced hail an inch or larger, and 25 of them brought golf-ball-size stones. The largest on record was 4.25 inches, on May 24, 2011. Shakes can split under that kind of impact, so a cedar roof in this city needs regular inspection and a photo record that holds up with the carrier. The houses matter too. With a median year built of 1981 and only 14 percent of homes built in 2010 or later, most Dallas cedar roofs sit on mature framing where the ventilation under the wood has to be checked, not assumed. A treatment cycle that most owners have never been told about is what separates a handsome cedar roof from an expensive one. Our Dallas County crews also handle cedar work in Balch Springs and Highland Park.
THE SYSTEM
Cedar Roofing, up close.
Cedar shake. Hand-split shakes across a complex roofline, with character that earns its maintenance.
PUBLIC RECORD
The local record behind Cedar Roofing in Dallas
How a roof system holds up in Dallas depends on the storms it has to take and the houses it sits on. Here is what the public record shows.
77
Hail days, 1 in.+ since 2006
25
Golf-ball-size hail days
4.25 in.
Largest stone on record
1981
Median year homes built
Hail near Dallas
Hail is a regular event around Dallas. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 77 separate days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 13 miles of the city, and on 25 of those days the stones reached golf ball size or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 20 of the last 20 years. The largest stones on record nearby measured 4.25 inches (grapefruit size) on May 24, 2011. The most recent report: 1.5-inch hail on June 2, 2026.
May 24, 2011: 4.25-inch hail (grapefruit size)
April 25, 2026: 3-inch hail (teacup size)
June 6, 2018: 3-inch hail (teacup size)
June 13, 2012: 3-inch hail (teacup size)
April 3, 2012: 2.75-inch hail (baseball size)
How old Dallas homes are
The median home in Dallas was built in 1981, and 48% of the city's 590,237 housing units predate 1980. Many of these houses are likely on their second roof or nearing the point where they need one.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database (hail reports since 2006 within 13 miles of Dallas); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Data pulled September 2026.
Common questions about cedar roofing in Dallas
How long does a cedar roof last in Dallas?
Well-installed, well-ventilated cedar typically serves twenty to thirty years in North Texas. DFW sun and hail are harder on wood than milder climates. Maintenance quality moves that range meaningfully.
Is cedar allowed under fire codes in Dallas?
Fire-treated cedar products meet the ratings most DFW jurisdictions require, while untreated shake generally does not. We confirm your city's specific requirements as part of any cedar project.
Does this material suit older Dallas homes?
Often, with eyes open: older decks get inspected board by board before any system goes down, and weight or structural questions get answered before quoting. The material conversation starts with what your specific roof can carry.
How often does hail hit Dallas?
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 77 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 13 miles of Dallas, including 25 days with golf ball size stones or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 20 of the last 20 years. The most recent report was 1.5-inch hail on June 2, 2026.
How old are most homes in Dallas?
The median home in Dallas was built in 1981, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. 48% of the city's housing units predate 1980 and 14% were built in 2010 or later. Most homes here are well past the life of their original roof.
