Residential Metal Roofing Executive Report

Ten Tips for Replacing Wood Roofing

Issue # | September 17, 2025 | Ethan Young

Wood shake and shingle roofs are far less prevalent in the United States than they were fifty years ago, with the market share dropping down to just 1-2%. The homeowners making up that last few percent felt that if you wanted the look of wood, then it had to be wood. However, fire concerns and insurance companies are prompting change. 

Fortunately, there are many fire-resistant, durable, and energy-efficient roofing materials available today that provide the look of wood roofing without the downsides. Here are a few we offer:

• Country Manor Shake
• Rustic Shingle
• KasselShake
• Great American Shake
• Great American Steel Shake
• KasselWood

Products like these allow homeowners to enjoy a roof that looks like wood with superior weather resistance and durability. Our four-way interlocking metal panels with concealed fasteners result in years of maintenance-free life and protection from wildfires and windstorms.

When converting a home from wood roofing to metal roofing, there are several important considerations to keep in mind.

1. Wood roofs, when removed, can often reveal hidden rot and degradation. Wood absorbs rainwater when installed with space between the individual shingles or shakes. Also, when you remove a wood roof on spaced sheathing, debris can end up in the attic. We recommend that you protect anything of value in the attic ahead of time.
2. The gaps between shingles make wood roofs breathable and relatively energy efficient, especially when installed over spaced sheathing or lathe boards. For this reason, their attic ventilation was often below building code or even non-existent. Any new roof will require exhaust vents and potentially intake soffit vents to meet code requirements and maintain a healthy, energy-efficient home.
3. Most roofing replacements, as well as building codes, will require spaced sheathing to be replaced with solid decking, which can impact cost, energy efficiency, and ventilation.
4. If the new roof is standing seam, using Dry Tech entangled mesh acts as a thermal break for sound attenuation and energy efficiency.
5. Removing an existing wood roof may result in lower property insurance costs
6. Understanding local fire classification requirements is crucial. In some cases, you may need special underlayment materials to achieve the desired fire safety.
7. There are many roofing manufacturers attempting to develop products that fill this niche. It takes decades for a roof system to prove itself and avoid failure, disappointed property owners, and even class action lawsuits. Choosing a proven product is the safe move.
8. Some fire-safe roof options will be considerably heavier, creating a significant cave-in threat in the case of an interior fire. Metal products are very lightweight in comparison.
9. Increasing ventilation in any attic increases the risk of burning embers entering in wildfire events. To combat this, there are new vents that close off in very high temperatures.
10. While adding a fire-safe roof to a home is impactful, it’s good to consider the fire safety of other aspects of the house as well, like the walls, windows, and doors.

We are here to help you make your wood roof replacement successful. Please get in touch with any specific questions or concerns. We know these jobs don’t pop up too often, so lean on our expertise and deliver a satisfying experience for your customers.

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