Western red cedar is the default cedar, the species most Mesquite shake and shingle roofs are made of, prized for its grain, workability, and natural weather resistance.
Western red is what most people in Mesquite mean when they say cedar roof: hand-split shakes for texture, or sawn shingles for a cleaner, tailored line. Grade matters enormously, and premium heartwood grades earn their price in service life. So does the air space beneath, because cedar breathes, and a roof that traps moisture under it ages in fast-forward.
Every job begins with a free written estimate and an inspection we record in photos. Deductibles are paid, not waived, as Texas law requires, and Cedar Crest is not a public adjuster.
Shakes, sawn shingles and Mesquite weather
The largest hail on Mesquite’s record measured 2.5 inches on June 2, 2017, and the area has seen 23 days of inch-plus hail since 2006 within a 7-mile radius. Red cedar handles sun and rain well when it is vented properly, but hail of that size can split shakes, so grade selection and follow-up inspections carry more weight here than in calmer climates.
Housing age plays in as well. Mesquite’s median home dates to 1983, and 53 percent of homes were built between 1980 and 2009, many of them with roof decks worth a close look before new wood goes on. Our crews bring the same western red spec to Sunnyvale and Forney.
THE SYSTEM
Western Red Cedar Shake, up close.
Cedar shake. Hand-split shakes across a complex roofline, with character that earns its maintenance.
PUBLIC RECORD
The local record behind Western Red Cedar Shake in Mesquite
How a roof system holds up in Mesquite depends on the storms it has to take and the houses it sits on. Here is what the public record shows.
23
Hail days, 1 in.+ since 2006
7
Golf-ball-size hail days
2.5 in.
Largest stone on record
1983
Median year homes built
Hail near Mesquite
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 23 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 7 miles of Mesquite. On 7 of those days, the stones were golf ball size or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 11 of the last 20 years. The largest stones on record nearby measured 2.5 inches (tennis ball size) on June 2, 2017. The most recent report: 1.5-inch hail on June 2, 2026.
June 2, 2017: 2.5-inch hail (tennis ball size)
June 12, 2023: 2-inch hail (hen egg size)
June 13, 2023: 1.75-inch hail (golf ball size)
June 1, 2019: 1.75-inch hail (golf ball size)
April 30, 2011: 1.75-inch hail (golf ball size)
How old Mesquite homes are
The median home in Mesquite was built in 1983, and 41% of the city's 53,953 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 7 miles of Mesquite); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Data pulled September 2026.
Common questions about western red cedar shake in Mesquite
Shake or shingle: what is the difference?
Shakes are split, thicker, and textured; shingles are sawn, thinner, and tailored. Same species, different character: shakes read rustic, shingles read refined.
What cedar grade should I buy in Mesquite?
Premium heartwood grades. The price difference buys decay resistance and service life. Economy cedar grades in a DFW climate are a false saving.
Should we match the original material when re-roofing in Mesquite?
Not automatically. A roof on its second or third cycle is a chance to rethink: Class 4 asphalt for the insurance math, metal or premium systems where the home and horizon justify them. We quote the honest options against your actual house.
How often does hail hit Mesquite?
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 23 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 7 miles of Mesquite, including 7 days with golf ball size stones or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 11 of the last 20 years. The most recent report was 1.5-inch hail on June 2, 2026.
How old are most homes in Mesquite?
The median home in Mesquite was built in 1983, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. 41% of the city's housing units predate 1980 and 6% were built in 2010 or later. Most homes here are well past the life of their original roof.
