Upgrade your roof from

Wood Shakes To Asphalt Shingles

If your roof is starting to split, curl, or show its age, you’re not alone. Many homes across Calgary are reaching the point where wood shake no longer makes sense. We help you replace it properly with a clean, modern asphalt system designed to last.

Let us help you upgrade to a durable, low-maintenance asphalt roof built for Alberta conditions.

Get A Free, no obligation estimate

Complete the form below and a team member will be in touch momentarily. Every siding estimate is guaranteed for 30 days.

Is Your Wood Shake Roof nearing the end of it's life?

Most homeowners don’t think about their roof until they're forced to. If you’re noticing any of the following, your wood shake may be at the end of its useful life:

• Shakes that are curling, cracking, or splitting

• Dark streaking, moss, or signs of rot

• Soft spots when walking or visible sagging

• Minor leaks or water staining inside

• Difficulty getting or renewing insurance coverage

If even one of these sounds familiar, it's time to take another look.

Why calgary homes are moving away from Cedar Shake

Wood shake had its place, but in Alberta’s climate, it often requires more upkeep and considerations than most homeowners expect.

• Ongoing maintenance to prevent deterioration

• Moisture sensitivity, especially through freeze-thaw cycles

• Fire risk considerations compared to modern materials

• Insurance limitations or higher premiums

• Inconsistent aging, leading to patchwork repairs

This is probably why you rarely if ever see new construction with wood shingles these days.

Financing Available

Get a new roof for as low as $80/month. Get approved in seconds.

Wood Shake Conversion Done Right

Switching from wood shake to asphalt isn’t as simple as removing one material and installing another. These two roofing systems behave very differently when it comes to water, airflow, and temperature. A proper conversion means rebuilding the roof so it performs the way asphalt is designed to, not just how the previous roof functioned. Here are the factors we consider at Sunwest Roofing to ensure a successful wood shake conversion.

Flashing

Wood shake roofs are thicker and more irregular, which means flashing details are often installed differently, or in some cases, inconsistently over time. When switching to asphalt, those same details don’t always translate.

During a proper conversion, areas around walls, chimneys, and roof transitions are reworked so water is directed away cleanly. Instead of relying on older flashing or sealants, everything is adjusted to match the new system.

This is one of the most common places where shortcuts lead to problems later on, which is why it’s addressed upfront.

Drainage

Wood shake allows for natural drainage and airflow between the materials. Asphalt works differently, it’s designed to shed water in a controlled way across a sealed surface.

That means the layers underneath become much more important. We remove the existing shake down to the decking, inspect the surface, and replace any compromised areas. From there, the roof is rebuilt with proper underlayment and ice and water protection in key areas like eaves and valleys.

Instead of relying on gaps and airflow, the system is designed to guide water exactly where it needs to go.

Ventilation

One of the biggest differences between wood shake and asphalt is how the roof handles heat and moisture.

Wood shake naturally allows air to move through the roof system. Asphalt does not, it depends entirely on proper ventilation to regulate temperature and prevent moisture buildup.

That’s why ventilation is reassessed during the conversion. Intake and exhaust need to work together to keep the attic space balanced, especially with Alberta’s temperature swings.

When it’s done properly, this helps extend the life of the roof and prevents issues like heat buildup in the summer and ice formation in the winter.

A More reliable roofing System

Modern asphalt shingles are designed for the reality of Alberta’s climate. They’re built to handle strong winds, hail, and constant temperature swings without the inconsistency you see in older materials. Instead of aging unevenly, they maintain a clean, uniform look across the entire roof, with little to no ongoing maintenance required once installed.

You also have flexibility in how your home looks, with a wide range of colours that fit naturally into the neighbourhood. We install high-quality systems from trusted manufacturers like Malarkey and Owens Corning, selected for how they perform over time.

Designed to handle wind, hail, and temperature swings
Available in impact-resistant (Class 3 & 4) options
Clean, uniform appearance across the entire roof
Minimal maintenance once installed
Wide range of colours to match your home

Wood Vs Asphalt Shingles

	Wood	Asphalt
Maintenance	High	Low
Lifespan (Alberta)	Variable	Consistent
Appearance Over Time	Uneven	Uniform
Weather Resistance	Moderate	High
Insurance Coverage	Can be difficult	Standard

Premium Materials Only

When it comes to roofing materials, we're selective on purpose. Sunwest Roofing exclusively installs Malarkey and Owens Corning Duration® shingles because we've seen firsthand how they perform through Alberta's harshest seasons. These aren't just well-marketed products, they're shingles that genuinely hold up, and are backed by manufacturers who actually stand behind their warranties when it counts.

Owens Corning Duration

The Duration® shingle is built around Owens Corning’s proprietary SureNail® fastening technology, which means a stronger hold, better wind resistance, and a shingle that stays put when Alberta weather gets serious. On top of that, Duration® shingles are engineered for long-term granule retention, so your roof keeps its performance and curb appeal years down the road.

Malarkey Vista & Legacy

Malarkey shingles are purpose-built for impact and wind resistance, making them one of the smartest choices for Calgary homeowners who deal with hail season every year. Select lines even feature smog-reducing granules, adding an environmental benefit on top of an already impressive package of durability, weather protection, and solid warranty coverage.

What's Included With Every Roof Replacement

We install roofing systems engineered for durability, longevity, and performance in Alberta’s climate.

We use wind and impact resistant shingles to ensure your home is properly shielded from from moisture, wind, heat, and ice while improving energy efficiency and curb appeal.

Every roofing job comes equipped with the components needed to ensure long lasting protection as well as guarantee that your warranty will be honoured by the manufacturer.

Drip Edge

Metal strip installed along the edges of your roof that directs water away from the fascia and into the gutters, preventing rot and water damage at one of the roof’s most vulnerable points.

Synthetic Underlayment

Secondary moisture barrier between your decking and shingles, offering superior protection against wind-driven rain and tear-through compared to traditional felt, keeping your home dry if the outer layer is ever compromised.

Ice & Water Shield

Self-adhering waterproof membrane installed at eaves, valleys, and other high-risk areas to prevent water infiltration caused by ice dams and heavy rain, which is especially critical in colder climates like ours.

Metal Valleys

Seals the most water-intensive areas of your roof where two slopes meet, channeling heavy runoff away from the seams and preventing leaks that can quickly lead to rotted decking and interior damage.

Proper Vents

This maintains a balanced airflow between your attic’s intake and exhaust, regulating temperature and moisture levels that, if left unchecked, can cause premature shingle aging, ice dams, mold growth, and structural deterioration.

Ridge Cap

Finished row of shingles installed along the peak of your roof that seals the ridge vent opening from the elements while giving the roof a clean, polished look — making it both a functional and aesthetic cornerstone of a complete roofing system.

Roof Replacement Process

A straightforward, transparent approach from start to finish.

1. Estimate

We start with a free, no obligation roof inspection and provide a clear, written estimate with options and line items so you can make an informed decision.

2. Scheduling

Once we have your approval and desired material choice, we enter your project into the schedule and send you the estimated install date and other updates via email.

3. Delivery

You will receive another set of emails notifying you of material delivery, and the day before the install, so you have time to make parking arrangements and other considerations.

4. Installation

Our experienced professionals complete your install exactly as specified. If there are any unforeseen weather delays, we will take all necessary precautions and return at a better time.

5. Clean-up

After installation, we perform a thorough cleanup of the work area. A final walkthrough ensures the job meets our standards and yours.

6. Support

Your project is backed by a workmanship warranty, along with applicable manufacturer warranties. Our team is always available to answer any questions or concerns that may arise later.

Why Calgary Chooses Sunwest

With over 4000+ installs, Sunwest Roofing has been providing reliable roofing services to Calgary homes since 2011. Fully licensed, insured, and backed by strong warranties, we combine craftsmanship with superior materials for results that last.

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239 REVIEWS AND COUNTING

4000+ Happy Customers

Once again SunWest did a great job on our roof replacement! Efficient, organized, communicating always, excellent cleanup and very friendly! Thanks guy!

Tina Anderson

Friendly and efficient workers and quality workmanship.. thank you 😊

Lynn Tobin

Best roofing company in Calgary and sorounding areas .Great work quality and customer service 👌

Eddys Espinosa

After a big hail storm we reached out to Sun West to help replace all of our siding and shingles. It was our first experience with work like this and Alex went above and beyond. He helped us navigate the challenges of dealing with insurance and got them to cover more of our roof then originally quoted. His team did a fantastic job with replacing our siding to our new blue, giving us a new roof and we even hired them to replace the garage door.

Everything was done so professionally and we will be hiring them again in the spring to replace our eaves, soffits and fascia to match our houses new colours.

Dani Perry (Dinara)

We used sunwest to complete our hail repairs after last years hail storm. Couldn’t be happier with the end result as they even helped us get 2500$ back from our insurance company for upgrading to the class 4 shingles

Leyanis Sigler

I recently had the pleasure of working with Sunwest Roofing Corp. on a roofing project and I must say, they did a fantastic job! They were easy to deal with, very responsive to any questions or concerns I had throughout the process. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and completed the job in a timely manner. I recommend Sunwest Roofing Corp. for anyone in need of roofing services. Thank you for a job well done!

Greg

I recently had the pleasure of working with Sunwest Roofing Corp. and I must say, they were very effective and easy to deal with. The work was completed on time and with high quality, clean and exceeding my expectations.

Alex, in particular, was extremely responsive, providing quick updates on the status of materials and booking for the work. I couldn’t be happier with the service I received and would highly recommend Sunwest Roofing Corp. to anyone in need of roofing services.

Robert Faustini

Would definitely recommend this company to anyone.

Debbie Balsillie

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