Western red cedar is the default cedar, the species most Rowlett shake and shingle roofs are made of, prized for its grain, workability, and natural weather resistance.
Western red is what most people in Rowlett picture when they say cedar roof. Hand-split shakes give texture; sawn shingles give a cleaner, tailored line. Grade makes a large difference, and premium heartwood grades earn their price in service life. So does the airflow underneath: cedar breathes, and a roof that traps moisture below it ages far too fast.
Estimates are written and cost nothing. Inspections come with photo documentation. We will not waive a deductible, which Texas law prohibits, and we do not work as a public adjuster.
Western red cedar on Rowlett houses
Rowlett’s housing leans newer: 24 percent of homes date from 2010 or later and only 10 percent from before 1980. Whatever the age, we check how the space under the shakes will breathe before recommending a grade, because ventilation decides whether red cedar reaches its expected life.
Hail is the other factor. This part of Dallas County has logged 28 days of hail an inch or bigger within 6 miles since 2006, including a 4.0 inch stone on April 11, 2016, and red cedar shakes split under that kind of impact. Heartwood grades hold up longer, but no wood shrugs off a direct strike, so we recommend documenting the roof each season. Owners in Sachse and Rockwall get the same inspection from the same crews.
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 Rowlett
How a roof system holds up in Rowlett depends on the storms it has to take and the houses it sits on. Here is what the public record shows.
28
Hail days, 1 in.+ since 2006
9
Golf-ball-size hail days
4 in.
Largest stone on record
1997
Median year homes built
Hail near Rowlett
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 28 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 6 miles of Rowlett. On 9 of those days, the stones were golf ball size or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 16 of the last 20 years. The largest stones on record nearby measured 4 inches (grapefruit size) on April 11, 2016. The most recent report: 2-inch hail on April 27, 2026.
April 11, 2016: 4-inch hail (grapefruit size)
September 24, 2023: 2.25-inch hail (hen egg size)
April 27, 2026: 2-inch hail (hen egg size)
March 23, 2016: 2-inch hail (hen egg size)
September 18, 2011: 2-inch hail (hen egg size)
How old Rowlett homes are
The median home in Rowlett was built in 1997. A large share of the city's 24,216 housing units are now old enough that original roofs are coming due, while 24% were built in 2010 or later.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database (hail reports since 2006 within 6 miles of Rowlett); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Data pulled September 2026.
Common questions about western red cedar shake in Rowlett
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 Rowlett?
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 Rowlett?
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 Rowlett?
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 28 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 6 miles of Rowlett, including 9 days with golf ball size stones or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 16 of the last 20 years. The most recent report was 2-inch hail on April 27, 2026.
How old are most homes in Rowlett?
The median home in Rowlett was built in 1997, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. 10% of the city's housing units predate 1980 and 24% were built in 2010 or later. Many homes here are reaching the age when original roofs come due.
