Synthetic shake delivers cedar's texture without its maintenance calendar. It is engineered polymer for Dallas owners who love the look but not the upkeep.
Polymer shake exists because real cedar asks for constant attention and synthetic does not. Quality lines are molded from actual shakes, carry Class 4 hail ratings and strong fire ratings without treatment, and skip the cleaning-and-treatment cycle wood demands in a DFW climate. The honest trade is character: cedar ages into individuality, while polymer stays uniform.
Cedar Crest installs and services synthetic cedar shake throughout Dallas. Estimates are free and written, and every inspection is documented with photos so you see what we saw. We never waive a deductible, because Texas law does not allow it, and we are not a public adjuster.
Why polymer shake suits Dallas hail and Dallas houses
Dallas County gets hit often. Within 13 miles of Dallas, hail one inch or larger has fallen on 77 days since 2006, and it has shown up in 20 of the last 20 years. On 25 of those days the stones reached golf-ball size or bigger, and the largest on record measured 4.25 inches on May 24, 2011. Wood shake splits under impacts like that. Polymer profiles rebound, which is exactly what the Class 4 rating is for.
The housing stock adds a second reason to look closely. The median Dallas home was built in 1981, and 48 percent went up before 1980, so many shake candidates sit on decking that has carried more than one replacement. We check that deck before recommending any shake profile. The same crews cover Highland Park and University Park.
THE SYSTEM
Synthetic Cedar Shake, up close.
Synthetic shake. The character of hand-split cedar with none of the cupping, splitting, or treatment cycle.
PUBLIC RECORD
The local record behind Synthetic Cedar Shake 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 synthetic cedar shake in Dallas
Synthetic shake vs real cedar in Dallas: the honest comparison?
Cedar wins on authentic character and ages into individuality; synthetic wins on maintenance, fire rating, and hail resistance. Budget long-term care into cedar's price when comparing.
Do synthetics fade?
Quality lines are through-colored and UV-stabilized, so expect gradual mellowing over decades rather than the peeling or streaking of coated products.
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.
