Wood shake used to be a common sight across Calgary neighbourhoods, and for a while it made sense. Natural look, decent performance, nothing to complain about. That’s changed. Walk through most older Calgary communities today, and you’ll notice something: almost nobody is putting new wood shake on a roof anymore.
Asphalt shingles Calgary homeowners are choosing instead have become the default for a reason. This guide breaks down why so many wood shake roofs are being converted, what actually changes when you switch materials, and what a proper conversion process looks like.
Why Wood Shake Doesn’t Hold Up the Way It Used To
Wood shake had its place, but Alberta’s climate asks more of it than most homeowners expect going in.
Constant Maintenance Requirements
Unlike asphalt, wood shake needs ongoing upkeep to prevent deterioration, including treatment, cleaning, and monitoring that most homeowners don’t realize they signed up for when the roof was originally installed.
Moisture Sensitivity
Calgary’s freeze-thaw cycles are particularly hard on wood shake. Moisture works its way into the material repeatedly through the winter, and over time that leads to splitting, cracking, and rot that’s difficult to fully repair.
Fire Risk Considerations
Wood shake carries fire risk considerations that modern materials simply don’t, a factor that increasingly affects both insurance availability and premium cost.
Insurance Considerations
This is often a deciding factor for a lot of homeowners. Some insurers apply different requirements, restrictions, or premium adjustments to aging wood shake roofs, particularly as the material ages past a certain point. Whether it’s a full asphalt shingles Calgary conversion or a smaller roof repair in the meantime, coverage terms vary significantly by provider and policy, so it’s worth checking directly with your insurer about how your specific roof’s age and condition may affect your options.
Inconsistent Aging
Wood shake doesn’t age uniformly. Some sections weather faster than others, leading to a patchwork appearance and repairs that never quite blend in with the surrounding material.
Signs Your Wood Shake Roof Is Nearing the End
A few signs point clearly toward replacement rather than continued patching:
- Shakes that are curling, cracking, or splitting
- Dark streaking, moss growth, or visible signs of rot
- Soft spots when walking the roof, or visible sagging
- Minor leaks or water staining showing up inside the home
- Difficulty getting or renewing insurance coverage
If even one of these sounds familiar, it’s worth having the roof properly assessed by a trusted roofing contractor in Calgary rather than continuing to patch individual problem spots.
Why Asphalt Shingles Are the Clear Replacement Choice
Modern asphalt shingles Calgary roofing companies install today are engineered to handle wind, hail, and constant temperature swings, with manufacturer testing and warranty coverage that speaks to that performance directly. Whether it’s a full roof replacement or a targeted roof repair, the underlying material choice affects long-term performance either way.
Instead of aging unevenly like wood shake, asphalt shingles maintain a clean, uniform appearance across the entire roof, with minimal ongoing maintenance required once installed. They’re also available in impact-resistant Class 3 and Class 4 options, giving homeowners meaningful protection against Calgary’s frequent hail events, something wood shake was never designed to withstand. On top of the performance benefits, asphalt shingles come in a wide range of colours, giving homeowners far more flexibility in how the finished roof actually looks.
Wood Shake vs Asphalt: How They Compare
| Feature | Wood Shake | Asphalt Shingles |
| Maintenance | High | Low |
| Lifespan in Alberta | Variable | Consistent |
| Appearance Over Time | Uneven | Uniform |
| Weather Resistance | Moderate | High |
| Insurance Coverage | Can be difficult | Standard |
What a Proper Wood Shake to Asphalt Conversion Actually Involves
Switching materials isn’t as simple as pulling one off and nailing another on. Wood shake and asphalt behave very differently when it comes to water, airflow, and temperature, which means a proper conversion means rebuilding the roof so it performs the way asphalt is actually designed to.
Flashing Gets Reworked
Wood shake is thicker and more irregular than asphalt, which means flashing details were often installed differently, or inconsistently, over the years. During a proper conversion, areas around walls, chimneys, and roof transitions get reworked so water is directed away cleanly, rather than relying on older flashing that was never designed for the new system.
Drainage Is Rebuilt From the Decking Up
Wood shake allows natural drainage and airflow between the materials. Asphalt works completely differently, shedding water in a controlled way across a sealed surface. That means the layers underneath matter far more. A proper conversion removes the existing shake down to the decking, inspects the surface, replaces any compromised areas, and rebuilds with proper underlayment and ice and water protection at eaves and valleys.
Ventilation Gets Reassessed
This is one of the biggest differences between the two systems. Wood shake naturally allows air to move through the roof. Asphalt depends entirely on proper ventilation to regulate temperature and prevent moisture buildup. During a conversion, intake and exhaust are reassessed to keep the attic space balanced, which helps extend the life of the new roof and prevents issues like summer heat buildup and winter ice formation.
What’s Included in a Proper Asphalt Roof Installation
A quality asphalt shingles Calgary installation includes the full system needed for long-term performance, not just the visible shingle layer:
- Drip edge, directing water away from the fascia at the roof’s most vulnerable edges
- Synthetic underlayment, a secondary moisture barrier offering better protection than traditional felt
- Ice and water shield, self-adhering protection at eaves and valleys against Calgary’s freeze-thaw cycles
- Metal valleys, channeling heavy runoff away from seams where two slopes meet
- Proper vents, maintaining balanced attic airflow to prevent premature aging and moisture problems
- Ridge cap, sealing the roof’s peak while giving it a clean, finished look
Skipping any of these during a conversion is one of the most common reasons a new asphalt roof doesn’t perform the way it should, which is exactly why choosing the best roofing company in Calgary for this kind of project matters as much as the shingle brand itself.
Premium Materials Matter
Not every asphalt shingle performs the same way. Sunwest Roofing installs Owens Corning Duration and Malarkey Vista and Legacy shingles specifically; both manufacturers we’ve seen consistently hold up through Alberta’s harshest seasons.
Owens Corning Duration shingles use SureNail fastening technology for a stronger hold and better wind resistance, along with long-term granule retention that keeps performance and curb appeal intact for years. Malarkey shingles are purpose-built for impact and wind resistance, a genuine advantage for Calgary homeowners dealing with hail season every year, with select lines even featuring smog-reducing granules.
What a Roof Conversion Process Looks Like
A proper conversion follows a clear process from first call to final walkthrough.
- Estimate: It starts with a free, no-obligation roof inspection and a clear written estimate with options and line items.
- Scheduling: Once materials and timing are approved, the project enters the schedule with an estimated install date communicated by email.
- Delivery: Notifications go out ahead of material delivery and again the day before installation.
- Installation: Experienced crews complete the install exactly as specified, handling weather delays by rescheduling rather than rushing.
- Clean-up: A thorough site clean-up and final walkthrough confirm the finished work meets standard.
- Support: The completed project is backed by a workmanship warranty alongside applicable manufacturer warranties, with ongoing support afterward.
How to Know If Your Roof Needs This Conversion
Not every wood shake roof needs immediate replacement, but a few practical checks help homeowners figure out where they stand. Start with the roof’s age; most wood shake systems are rated for 20 to 30 years, and performance typically declines noticeably in the final stretch. Next, check for consistency: are shakes splitting or curling across the whole roof, or just in a few isolated spots? Widespread wear usually points to replacement, while isolated issues might still be repairable.
It’s also worth checking with your insurance provider directly, since some policies flag aging wood shake roofs during renewal, which can be an early signal worth acting on before it becomes a bigger issue. Finally, a professional inspection remains the most reliable way to know for certain, since surface-level wear doesn’t always reflect what’s happening at the decking level underneath.
Why Homeowners Choose Sunwest Roofing for This Conversion
Sunwest Roofing has been providing roofing services to Calgary homes since 2011, with over 4,000 completed installs, earning a reputation as a trusted roofing contractor in Calgary through consistent, in-house workmanship. A few things set the process apart:
- 50-year material warranty plus a 10-year workmanship warranty on every install
- Owner-operated, employee-based crews, no subcontractors on any job
- Fast turnaround, many residential conversions can be completed in a single day depending on roof size and complexity, thanks to larger crew sizes
- Constant communication, with short wait times from first estimate to completion
- Free, no-obligation estimates, with a clear written breakdown before any commitment
Get a Free Wood Shake Conversion Estimate in Calgary
If your wood shake roof is showing its age, or you’re having trouble getting insurance coverage renewed, switching to asphalt shingles Calgary homeowners increasingly trust is worth a serious conversation. Sunwest Roofing will assess your roof, walk you through the conversion process, and give you a written estimate with real numbers.
Call 587-206-4736 or contact us for roofing services and get a straight answer on what your roof actually needs.
FAQs
1. How long does a wood shake to asphalt conversion take?
Timeline depends on roof size, complexity, and whether the decking needs additional work. Many residential conversions are completed in a single day, though larger or more complex roofs may take longer. The exact timeline is outlined clearly during the estimate.
2. What happens if the wood underneath is damaged?
Once the shake is removed, the decking is inspected. Any soft or compromised areas are replaced before the new roof goes on, ensuring the asphalt system has a solid foundation underneath.
3. Do I need to upgrade ventilation when switching from wood shake?
In many cases, yes. Wood shake allows natural airflow, while asphalt relies on proper ventilation systems to manage heat and moisture. This gets assessed during inspection to make sure everything is balanced correctly.
4. Will switching to asphalt shingles help with insurance?
It can, though coverage terms vary by insurer and policy. Asphalt shingles are generally viewed favourably given their consistent, well-documented performance record, and it’s worth confirming with your specific provider how a material switch might affect your coverage or premium.
5. Can I choose Class 4 impact-resistant shingles during the conversion?
Yes. Class 3 and Class 4 impact-resistant asphalt shingles are both available during a wood shake conversion, giving homeowners the option to add stronger hail protection at the same time as the material switch.
