Professional Cedar Shake Contractor in Cambridge, MA
Western Red Cedar shake and shingle siding installation and replacement across Massachusetts. Alfa Construction re-sides your home's full exterior in hand-split shakes or machine-cut shingles for that classic Cape Cod and historic New England look. We take full-exterior re-sides, not patch jobs.
Why Choose Professional Cedar Shake in Cambridge, Massachusetts?
Many of the most admired homes in Cambridge were originally clad in cedar, and there is a reason the material has never gone out of style. After decades of weather, original cedar walls often need full replacement rather than another spot patch. Alfa Construction helps Cambridge homeowners re-side in hand-split shakes or machine-cut shingles that honor the home's period character while correcting the ventilation and moisture problems that doomed the original wall.
Beneath the surface of many Cambridge historic homes, water that got behind failing cedar has been spreading silently for years. By the time homeowners see interior stains, musty odors, or soft spots, the cedar has failed and the sheathing behind it may be compromised. Addressing a failing cedar wall early is far less costly than waiting for the structure to suffer.
Alfa Construction re-sides Cambridge historic homes in Western Red Cedar set on rear-ventilation furring strips, so the new wall captures the authentic shake or shingle look while finally being able to dry from behind. We match the original exposure and corner detailing so the finished wall reads as period-correct, and we correct the moisture and ventilation flaws that destroyed the original cedar.
Your Cambridge home has worn cedar through generations of New England weather — give it a wall built to do it again. Alfa Construction re-sides in hand-split shakes or machine-cut shingles that honor the home's period look while finally solving the moisture problems beneath. Contact us today for your free estimate.
What Are Common Cedar Shake Problems in Cambridge, MA?
Common Problems
- 1
Aging cedar shakes that have cupped, split, or worked loose, leaving gaps where wind-driven rain gets behind the wall
- 2
Cedar siding that was face-nailed flat against the sheathing with no ventilation, trapping moisture and rotting the courses from behind
- 3
Rust streaks bleeding down the wall because the previous installer used cheap fasteners instead of stainless steel on a coastal home
- 4
A blotchy, half-stained, half-bare exterior because re-staining was deferred well past the five-to-seven-year window cedar needs
- 5
Insect-damaged or decayed lower courses where splash-back and ground contact overwhelmed the cedar's natural resistance
Our Solutions
- 1
Full-exterior installation in hand-split Western Red Cedar shakes for a thick, rugged, deeply shadowed wall with maximum texture and character
- 2
Machine-cut cedar shingle installation for a smoother, tighter, more uniform reveal suited to refined Cape Cod and shingle-style homes
- 3
Rear-ventilated furring-strip systems that hold the cedar off the wall so every course can dry from behind — the single biggest factor in a wood wall's lifespan
- 4
Stainless steel fastening throughout on coastal and salt-air exposures so the wall stays clean and never bleeds rust down a fresh course
- 5
Complete cedar re-sides with proper housewrap, flashing, and a factory-applied or job-site stain finish ready to maintain on a predictable schedule
How Does Cedar Shake Work in Cambridge, MA?
We follow a proven step-by-step process to deliver outstanding cedar shake & shingle siding results for every Cambridge homeowner.
Free Exterior Inspection & Estimate
We inspect your existing cedar wall, probe for soft or decayed courses, and check the sheathing and moisture barrier beneath. We evaluate your home's exposure — coastal salt air, shaded north walls, ground-level splash-back — and discuss whether shakes or shingles best suit the home. You receive a detailed written estimate covering materials, labor, timeline, and warranty.
Shake or Shingle Selection & Finish
We help you choose between hand-split shakes for rugged texture and machine-cut shingles for a tighter, uniform line, and we explain grades of Western Red Cedar. We discuss finish direction — a warm semi-transparent stain you maintain every five to seven years, or letting the wall weather naturally to silver-gray — and bring samples so you can see the look against your roof and trim.
Removal & Substrate Preparation
Our crew removes the old cladding, disposes of debris, and inspects the sheathing for rot or prior water damage. We correct what we find, then install or replace housewrap and flashing for a continuous moisture barrier. We add the rear-ventilation furring layer so the new cedar will sit off the wall and dry from behind.
Professional Cedar Installation
We install the shakes or shingles course by course at the correct exposure, staggering joints and maintaining consistent reveal lines. Every piece is set with stainless steel fasteners — mandatory near the coast — and we detail corners, windows, and transitions with the woven or mitered corners and flashing that keep wind-driven rain out of a wood wall.
Finishing, Final Inspection & Warranty
We apply or confirm the stain finish, seal penetrations, and inspect every course for tight, weathertight coverage. We walk you through the completed wall, explain the re-stain schedule that protects your investment, and provide warranty documentation covering both materials and our labor.
What Are the Benefits of Professional Cedar Shake in Cambridge?
The authentic Cape Cod and historic New England look that no vinyl or fiber cement product can truly replicate
Naturally insect- and decay-resistant cedar oils that protect the wall without relying on chemical treatments
A 30-to-40-year lifespan when the cedar is ventilated, fastened, and re-stained the way it should be
The freedom to choose your look — keep the warm stained tone or let the wall weather gracefully to a coastal silver-gray
Deep, three-dimensional shadow lines from hand-split shakes that give your home unmatched curb-appeal character
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Shake in Cambridge, MA
What is the difference between cedar shakes and cedar shingles?
How long does cedar shake siding last in Massachusetts?
Does cedar siding require a lot of maintenance?
Why does coastal cedar siding need stainless steel fasteners?
Do you take on small cedar jobs or patch work?
Siding Materials We Install in Cambridge, MA
Every Cambridge re-side is a complete full-home installation. Choose the material that fits your home and budget — we handle the entire exterior.
Cedar Shake Services Near Cambridge, Massachusetts
We also provide professional cedar shake & shingle siding in cities near Cambridge, MA. Serving all of Middlesex County and surrounding areas.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from Massachusetts homeowners who trust Alfa Construction Inc for their cedar shake & shingle siding projects.
Service Area: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Based in Bellingham, MA, Alfa Construction Inc provides cedar shake & shingle siding services to Cambridge and all surrounding Middlesex County communities.
Get a Free Cedar Shake Estimate in Cambridge
Ready for professional cedar shake & shingle siding in Cambridge, MA? Contact Alfa Construction Inc today. Licensed (#192348), insured, and backed by 20+ years of experience.