Cedar Shake vs. Metal Roofing for Minnesota Lakefront Homes

If you own a home near the water in Wayzata, Orono, Excelsior, or Mound, chances are you've looked at both cedar shake and metal roofing at some point. They're the two materials that show up most often on the lakefront properties we work on, and they get compared constantly because they solve different problems in different ways.

There's no single right answer here. It comes down to the look you want, how much upkeep you're willing to do, and how long you plan to own the house. Let's go through it honestly.

The Look

Cedar shake has a warmth and texture that's hard to replicate with any other material. It's the classic lake cabin look, and it tends to age into a silvery gray patina that a lot of homeowners actually prefer over the original golden brown. If you want your home to blend into a wooded lot or match a traditional Northwoods aesthetic, cedar is usually the material people reach for.

Metal roofing has come a long way from the corrugated barn panels people picture. Standing seam metal in a matte finish looks sharp on both modern and traditional homes, and it's increasingly common on newer lakefront builds and renovations. It reads as clean and architectural rather than rustic.

Performance in Minnesota Winters

This is where the two materials really diverge. Metal roofing sheds snow and ice far more effectively than cedar or asphalt. Its slick surface and tight seams mean snow slides off instead of sitting and compacting, which also means less weight load and less opportunity for ice dams to form along the eaves.

Cedar performs reasonably well in winter but needs proper ventilation underneath to avoid trapping moisture, which can lead to rot or moss growth over time, especially on shaded, north facing slopes near the water. It's manageable with the right installation, but it does require more attention than metal does.

Maintenance and Longevity

Cedar shake generally needs periodic treatment to resist moss, insects, and moisture, along with occasional shingle replacement in spots that take the most sun or shade exposure. With that upkeep, cedar can last in the range of 25 to 35 years.

Metal roofing is close to maintenance free by comparison. Once it's installed correctly, there's very little ongoing work required, and a quality standing seam system can last 40 to 60 years. For homeowners who don't want roofing on their yearly to do list, that's a meaningful difference.

Cost Considerations

Both cedar shake and metal cost more upfront than standard asphalt shingles. Cedar's cost comes from the material itself and the skilled labor it takes to install it correctly. Metal's cost varies more by panel type and finish, but standing seam systems sit at the higher end of residential roofing options. Neither is a budget choice, but both can be a smart long term investment depending on how long you plan to stay in the home.

Which One Fits Your House

If your home has a traditional, wooded, cabin style look and you don't mind some periodic upkeep, cedar shake is likely the better fit. If you want the lowest long term maintenance and the best performance against snow and ice, metal roofing is probably the stronger choice. Some homeowners around the lake even mix the two, using metal on a porch roof or dormers and cedar on the main structure.

For a deeper look at how these stack up against standard asphalt, check out our guide to <a href="/blog/asphalt-vs-metal-vs-synthetic-shingles-minnesota">asphalt vs. metal vs. synthetic shingles</a>. And if you want to understand what kind of lifespan to expect from any of these materials, our post on <a href="/blog/how-long-does-a-roof-last-lake-minnetonka">how long a roof actually lasts near Lake Minnetonka</a> walks through it in more detail.

Serving Homes All Around the Lake

We install and repair both cedar shake and metal roofing for homeowners throughout the west metro. Learn more on our <a href="/services/cedar-shake-roofing">cedar shake roofing</a> and <a href="/services/metal-roofing">metal roofing</a> pages, or see our full coverage area at <a href="/service-areas">service areas</a>. We regularly work on lakefront homes in <a href="/roofing-wayzata-mn">Wayzata</a>, <a href="/roofing-orono-mn">Orono</a>, <a href="/roofing-mound-mn">Mound</a>, and surrounding communities.

What Homeowners Often Overlook

A lot of the cedar versus metal conversation focuses on the roof surface itself, but the details underneath matter just as much. Proper underlayment, ice and water shield along the eaves, and adequate attic ventilation all affect how either material performs over the long run in Minnesota. A beautiful cedar or metal roof installed without attention to those details can still disappoint a homeowner a few years down the road, which is why the installer matters as much as the material you choose.

Let's Talk About Your Roof

If you're torn between cedar and metal for your lakefront home, give Owen a call at 952.649.6449 or request a fast quote. We'll walk your roof, talk through your priorities, and give you a straight recommendation instead of a sales pitch.