Western red cedar is the default cedar, the species most Arlington shake and shingle roofs are made of, prized for its grain, workability, and natural weather resistance.
When someone in Arlington asks for a cedar roof, they usually mean western red cedar, either hand-split shakes for texture or sawn shingles for a cleaner, tailored line. Grade makes a large difference, with premium heartwood grades earning their price in service life, and so does the air space beneath. Cedar has to breathe, and a roof that traps moisture under it ages in fast-forward.
You get a free written estimate and an inspection documented in photos. Deductibles are never waived (Texas law), and Cedar Crest is not a public adjuster.
Red cedar shakes under Arlington weather
Shakes split when hail hits hard, and the record near Arlington is not gentle: 21 days of golf-ball-size or larger hail within 9 miles since 2006, part of 41 days with hail an inch or larger over the same stretch. Every carrier knows cedar’s weak spot, so we put scope, grade, timeline, and both warranty layers in writing before any wood is ordered.
On the housing side, the median Arlington home dates to 1986 and 33 percent of homes are older than 1980, which means we often open up decking that has carried more than one roof. Ventilation gets corrected at that stage, because a red cedar roof is only as good as the airflow under it. Nearby Grand Prairie and Pantego are covered by the same crews that work Arlington and the rest of Tarrant County.
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 Arlington
How a roof system holds up in Arlington depends on the storms it has to take and the houses it sits on. Here is what the public record shows.
41
Hail days, 1 in.+ since 2006
21
Golf-ball-size hail days
5 in.
Largest stone on record
1986
Median year homes built
Hail near Arlington
Hail is a regular event around Arlington. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 41 separate days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 9 miles of the city, and on 21 of those days the stones reached golf ball size or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 15 of the last 20 years. The largest stones on record nearby measured 5 inches (softball size) on June 12, 2023. The most recent report: 1-inch hail on April 26, 2026.
June 12, 2023: 5-inch hail (softball size)
May 27, 2024: 3.25-inch hail (teacup size)
June 13, 2012: 3-inch hail (teacup size)
May 24, 2011: 2.75-inch hail (baseball size)
June 1, 2025: 2.5-inch hail (tennis ball size)
How old Arlington homes are
The median home in Arlington was built in 1986, and 33% of the city's 153,137 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 9 miles of Arlington); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Data pulled September 2026.
Common questions about western red cedar shake in Arlington
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 Arlington?
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 Arlington?
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 Arlington?
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 41 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 9 miles of Arlington, including 21 days with golf ball size stones or bigger. Hail that size was reported in 15 of the last 20 years. The most recent report was 1-inch hail on April 26, 2026.
How old are most homes in Arlington?
The median home in Arlington was built in 1986, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. 33% of the city's housing units predate 1980 and 8% were built in 2010 or later. Many homes here are reaching the age when original roofs come due.
