Why Oklahoma Homeowners Should Replace Wood Shake Roofs as Soon as Possible
For many years, wood shake roofs were considered one of the most beautiful and high-end roofing systems available in Oklahoma. Throughout neighborhoods in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma City, Norman, and Moore, cedar shake roofs became popular because of their natural appearance, upscale curb appeal, and architectural character.
But today, many homeowners are discovering that wood shake roofs have become one of the hardest roofing systems to insure and maintain.
Insurance companies across Oklahoma are tightening restrictions on older wood shake roofs because of:
- Fire concerns
- Storm damage risks
- Aging materials
- High replacement costs
- Increased claim frequency
At Top View Roofing, we specialize in removing aging wood shake roofs and replacing them with safer, stronger, and more insurable roofing systems. Many homeowners are now upgrading to:
- Stone-coated metal roofing
- Designer impact-resistant shingles
- Class 4 roofing systems
We also proudly recommend premium Malarkey Roofing Products shingles because many of their products are manufactured right here in Oklahoma City and designed to perform well in severe weather environments like Oklahoma.
If your home still has wood shake roofing, now is the time to seriously consider replacement before insurance issues, leaks, fire risks, or major storm damage become much larger problems.
Why Insurance Companies Are Pulling Away From Wood Shake Roofs
Over the last several years, insurance companies have become much stricter about roofing systems throughout Oklahoma.
Many carriers are now:
- Refusing to insure wood shake roofs
- Charging much higher premiums
- Requiring roof replacement before renewal
- Limiting coverage
- Excluding cosmetic or storm damage
- Switching homeowners to ACV policies
Why?
Because wood shake roofs simply create more risk for insurance companies compared to modern roofing systems.
Oklahoma weather is extremely hard on cedar shake roofs due to:
- Hailstorms
- High winds
- Heat
- UV exposure
- Moisture
- Freeze/thaw cycles
As wood shake roofs age, they often become:
- Brittle
- Cracked
- Curled
- Loose
- Dry
- Highly vulnerable to storm damage
That creates expensive claims for insurance carriers.
Wood Shake Roofs Can Become a Serious Fire Hazard
One of the biggest concerns with older cedar shake roofs is fire risk.
While treated wood products may initially meet fire-resistance standards when new, aging wood roofs naturally dry out over time.
As they age, wood shakes can:
- Become extremely dry
- Split and crack
- Trap debris
- Allow embers to spread more easily
This creates additional fire concerns, especially during:
- Hot Oklahoma summers
- Drought conditions
- Electrical storms
- Wind events
Insurance carriers understand these risks, which is one reason many companies are becoming reluctant to continue insuring wood shake homes.
Modern roofing materials offer much stronger fire ratings and significantly improved protection.
The Storm Damage Problem in Oklahoma
Oklahoma homeowners already know how severe our storms can become.
Areas like:
- Nichols Hills
- Oklahoma City
- Norman
- Moore
regularly experience:
- Large hail
- High winds
- Tornado activity
- Severe thunderstorms
Wood shake roofs are particularly vulnerable during hailstorms because hail can:
- Split shakes
- Crack the wood
- Dislodge pieces
- Expose underlayment
- Create hidden moisture intrusion
Unlike modern architectural shingles, wood shakes often become more fragile as they age.
After major storms, we frequently see:
- Broken cedar shakes
- Missing pieces
- Severe granule loss
- Water infiltration
- Rot beneath the roofing system
Unfortunately, many homeowners do not realize the extent of damage until leaks begin appearing inside the home.
Why More Homeowners Are Switching to Stone-Coated Metal Roofing
One of the most popular upgrades for former wood shake homes is stone-coated metal roofing.
Stone-coated metal systems are designed to provide:
- High-end appearance
- Exceptional durability
- Better fire resistance
- Superior wind protection
- Long lifespan
- Lower maintenance
Many homeowners love that stone-coated metal can maintain a dimensional appearance similar to wood shake while offering dramatically improved performance.
Benefits include:
- Class 4 impact resistance
- Excellent hail resistance
- Fire-resistant construction
- Lightweight installation
- Energy efficiency
- Long-term durability
For homeowners who want luxury appearance without the maintenance headaches of cedar shake, stone-coated metal is becoming a very attractive option.
Designer Impact-Resistant Shingles Are Another Excellent Upgrade
Many homeowners also choose to replace wood shake roofs with premium designer impact-resistant shingles.
These systems provide:
- Beautiful dimensional appearance
- Strong storm resistance
- Better insurance compatibility
- Lower maintenance
- Improved fire ratings
Impact-resistant shingles are especially important in Oklahoma because they are specifically designed to better withstand hail and severe weather.
Many insurance companies offer discounts for Class 4 impact-resistant roofing systems because they help reduce storm claims.
Why We Recommend Malarkey Roofing Products
At Top View Roofing, we are proud to recommend Malarkey Roofing Products for many Oklahoma homeowners.
One reason homeowners appreciate Malarkey products is because many of their shingles are manufactured right here in Oklahoma City.
That local manufacturing connection matters to many Oklahoma families who want:
- High-quality materials
- Strong local support
- Products designed for severe weather climates
Malarkey shingles are known for:
- Impact resistance
- Polymer-modified asphalt technology
- Strong wind ratings
- Excellent durability
- Designer appearance options
For homeowners replacing wood shake roofs, designer impact-resistant systems can often deliver a beautiful upscale appearance while dramatically improving storm protection and insurability.
Getting Your Home Insurable Again
One of the biggest concerns we hear from homeowners is:
“My insurance company may not renew my policy.”
Unfortunately, this has become increasingly common with older wood shake roofs.
Many homeowners are receiving:
- Non-renewal notices
- Mandatory roof replacement requests
- Coverage restrictions
- Premium increases
Replacing the wood shake roof with a modern roofing system can often help restore insurability.
At Top View Roofing, we help homeowners by:
- Evaluating roofing condition
- Explaining replacement options
- Providing documentation
- Assisting with roof certifications
- Installing warrantied roofing systems
Once the roof replacement is complete, many homeowners are able to provide updated roofing information and roof certifications to insurance carriers.
Roof Certificates and Warranty Protection Matter
When replacing an aging wood shake roof, documentation becomes very important.
Homeowners often need:
- Roof certifications
- Warranty information
- Installation documentation
- Manufacturer specifications
A professionally installed roofing system with proper documentation can help:
- Improve insurance eligibility
- Increase buyer confidence during resale
- Provide peace of mind
- Protect long-term property value
At Top View Roofing, we believe homeowners should fully understand their roofing system and warranty coverage.
Why Homeowners Should Not Wait Too Long
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting too long to replace a failing wood shake roof.
As cedar roofs continue aging, problems often accelerate quickly.
Waiting can lead to:
- Interior leaks
- Decking damage
- Mold
- Structural repairs
- Insurance cancellation
- Emergency replacement costs
In many cases, homeowners still have time to replace the roof proactively before severe damage occurs.
That is almost always less stressful than dealing with emergency storm damage after a major hail event.
Proper Removal of Wood Shake Roofs Is Important
Wood shake removal requires experience and careful handling.
Improper tear-off procedures can:
- Damage decking
- Leave hidden rot behind
- Create ventilation problems
- Lead to future roofing failures
At Top View Roofing, we carefully inspect:
- Roof decking
- Ventilation systems
- Structural conditions
- Flashing areas
- Moisture damage
before installing the new roofing system.
A proper roofing system starts with proper preparation underneath the shingles or metal panels.
Local Experience Matters
Homes in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma City, Norman, and Moore often have unique roofing styles and architectural designs.
Many older upscale homes were originally built with cedar shake systems because of their appearance and prestige.
Today, homeowners want modern roofing systems that:
- Maintain architectural beauty
- Improve durability
- Meet insurance requirements
- Protect long-term property value
That requires a roofing contractor who understands both aesthetics and Oklahoma weather performance.
Serving Nichols Hills, Oklahoma City, Norman, and Moore
Top View Roofing proudly serves homeowners throughout:
- Nichols Hills
- Oklahoma City
- Norman
- Moore
- and surrounding Oklahoma communities
We specialize in:
- Wood shake roof replacement
- Stone-coated metal roofing
- Designer impact-resistant shingles
- Insurance-friendly roofing systems
- Premium roofing upgrades
Our goal is to help homeowners transition from aging, high-risk roofing systems into modern roofs that are safer, stronger, and easier to insure.
Final Thoughts
Wood shake roofs may still look beautiful from the street, but many Oklahoma homeowners are discovering that the risks now outweigh the benefits.
Between:
- Fire concerns
- Hail damage
- Insurance restrictions
- Aging materials
- Expensive maintenance
many insurance carriers are becoming increasingly unwilling to insure older cedar shake homes.
Replacing a wood shake roof with:
- Stone-coated metal roofing
- Designer impact-resistant shingles
- Premium Malarkey roofing systems
can help improve:
- Safety
- Storm resistance
- Insurability
- Home value
- Long-term peace of mind
At Top View Roofing, we are proud to help homeowners throughout Nichols Hills, Oklahoma City, Norman, and Moore upgrade into roofing systems designed for Oklahoma weather and modern insurance requirements.
If your home still has an aging wood shake roof, now is the time to start planning for replacement before the next major storm arrives.
