Western red cedar is the default cedar, the species most Plano shake and shingle roofs are made of, prized for its grain, workability, and natural weather resistance.
Most Plano homeowners who ask for a cedar roof mean western red: hand-split shakes for texture or sawn shingles for a cleaner, tailored line. Grade matters a great deal, since premium heartwood grades earn their price in service life. The air beneath matters just as much. Cedar breathes, and a roof that traps moisture under it ages fast.
We provide free written estimates, photograph and document every inspection, never waive a deductible because Texas law prohibits it, and do not work as a public adjuster.
Western Red Cedar on Plano Homes
The housing data shows where red cedar fits in Plano. Only 18 percent of homes predate 1980, and 14 percent were built in 2010 or later, which leaves the large middle of the city in homes from 1980 to 2009, with a median build year of 1993. Many of those houses have reached the point where the owner is choosing a replacement material, and red cedar competes on character rather than hail resistance.
The storm record is the other half of the decision. Golf-ball size hail or larger has fallen within 8 miles of Plano on 18 days since 2006. Heartwood grade and careful installation help shakes hold up, and we document the roof with photos so any storm damage is easy to show later. Plano is in Collin County, and our crews install red cedar in Richardson and Allen as well.
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 Plano
How a roof system holds up in Plano depends on the storms it has to take and the houses it sits on. Here is what the public record shows.
43
Hail days, 1 in.+ since 2006
18
Golf-ball-size hail days
4.5 in.
Largest stone on record
1993
Median year homes built
Hail near Plano
Hail is a regular event around Plano. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 43 separate days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 8 miles of the city, and on 18 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 4.5 inches (softball size) on March 24, 2019. The most recent report: 1.75-inch hail on April 27, 2026.
March 24, 2019: 4.5-inch hail (softball size)
June 13, 2012: 3.25-inch hail (teacup size)
June 11, 2023: 3-inch hail (teacup size)
April 20, 2023: 3-inch hail (teacup size)
May 19, 2023: 2.5-inch hail (tennis ball size)
How old Plano homes are
The median home in Plano was built in 1993, and 18% of the city's 117,686 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 8 miles of Plano); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Data pulled September 2026.
Common questions about western red cedar shake in Plano
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 Plano?
Premium heartwood grades. The price difference buys decay resistance and service life. Economy cedar grades in a DFW climate are a false saving.
Do you install this on shops and outbuildings near Plano?
Yes. Barns, workshops, and outbuildings are first-class projects out here, not afterthoughts, and the material conversation (usually metal-forward) covers them alongside the house.
How often does hail hit Plano?
NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 43 days since 2006 with hail one inch or larger reported within 8 miles of Plano, including 18 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 1.75-inch hail on April 27, 2026.
How old are most homes in Plano?
The median home in Plano was built in 1993, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. 18% of the city's housing units predate 1980 and 14% were built in 2010 or later. Many homes here are reaching the age when original roofs come due.
