Cedar Shake Siding vs. Modern Alternatives: A Practical Comparison

Nothing looks like cedar. That texture, the way it silvers, the depth real wood gives a gable — it’s why homeowners in older Twin Cities neighborhoods fight to keep the look even when the shakes themselves are past saving. The good news is you no longer have to choose between the look and your weekends. Here’s how real cedar stacks up against the modern shake-style products we install.

The case for real cedar

Authenticity, full stop. Natural variation no manufacturer fully replicates, and a repairability that panels don’t have — a skilled carpenter can swap individual shakes forever. On a historic home, or in neighborhoods where original character carries real value, cedar can be the right answer.

The cost is maintenance, and in Minnesota it’s not optional. Stain or seal every 5 to 7 years, or moisture gets in, then rot, then woodpeckers hunting the insects that follow. We see beautiful 90-year-old cedar that was kept up, and 25-year-old cedar that’s compost, and the only difference is the maintenance calendar. Budget both the material premium and a lifetime of refinishing.

The modern alternatives that earn the look

Engineered wood shakes (LP SmartSide shakes, Diamond Kote finishes) are our most common cedar-look install. Real wood fiber, so the texture reads authentic at any distance, with hail resistance cedar can’t match and a 30-year finish warranty instead of a 5-year staining cycle.

Fiber cement shakes (James Hardie straight-edge and staggered panels) give crisp, uniform shake profiles with fiber cement’s rot-proof durability. The look is slightly more ordered than rustic — some homeowners prefer that, some don’t.

Polymer shakes molded from actual cedar impressions have gotten remarkably convincing and are effectively zero-maintenance, at a price point that often surprises people — sometimes above real cedar installed.

How we’d decide

Whole-house cedar in our climate is a commitment most families regret by the second re-staining. Where we land most often: cedar-look engineered products for the main body, and if you love real wood, save it for an accent — a gable, an entry surround — where the maintenance is a Saturday, not a season.

Want to see the modern shake profiles side by side in person? We’ll bring samples to your door. Explore our siding services or call (651) 565-1349 for a free consultation.