Cedar Roof Repair and Restoration

We love cedar because it is the only roofing material in the world that you can maintain in a meaningful way and nothing beats the charm a wood roof adds to a home. Let us assess your roof and develop a plan to keep it in good shape for years to come.

No one has restored more cedar roofs in Minnesota.

Since 1987, we have repaired and restored more cedar roofs in Minnesota than any other company.  The strongest testimony to the success of our cedar restoration work is that we seldom advertise.  It’s true.  Almost all of our business comes from our history of good work in this community.  Our references almost certainly include someone you know and there is a good chance we have worked in your neighborhood.

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Want to see more of our work? Jump down to our gallery

Does your roof need replacing, or can we extend its lifespan through repairs and restoration?

Cedar roofs fall into three categories:

5-16 Years

Washing, repairs & wood preservation will extend the lifespan of the roof

60% of the roots we inspect

16-26 Years

Roof can be repaired to add lifespan, but will not benefit from washing or wood preservation

25% of the roofs we inspect.

16-26 Years

Roof will NOT benefit from any repairs or restoration - It's replacement time

15% of the roofs we inspect

The KUHL process for cedar roof restoration

Our process for cedar roof cleaning, repairs and restoration has been developed over the past 35+ years to achieve one simple goal: to maximize the remaining life of your cedar roof. This helps delay the cost of roof replacement while addressing concerns your insurance company may have about your roof's condition.

On the surface, our cedar roof cleaning and restoration process looks similar to the methods employed by our competitors. We inspect, wash, repair and preserve. The difference is in the details. Here are the four steps to our process: Inspection, Cleaning, Repair and Preservation

Step 1

We will inspect your cedar roof.

There is a good reason why some companies don’t care if you are home during your cedar roof inspection. They prefer you don’t witness the relative inexperience of their ‘inspector’ and some don’t even to bother getting up on your roof. We insist that you're home because understanding what's happening with one of the most expensive aspects of your home is worth it. Our inspection will be the most detailed and professional analysis you will EVER receive on your roof. Conducting an expert cedar roof inspection from the top of a ladder or by drone is like getting a medical examination over the phone. Not terribly thorough. 

Kuhl’s Contracting provides a variety of Roof Inspection services focusing on the different needs of your roof, with a particular expertise the field of cedar shake and shingle roofing.

Your cedar roof will be inspected area-by-area, element-by-element. We are looking for a number of things including evidence of wind or hail damage, animal damage or infestation, quality of initial materials and installation, related issues like overhanging trees, clogged gutters and the integrity of all roof flashings and accessories. We will determine where your cedar roof is in its lifespan so that you know what should be done to either repair, restore or replace your roof. Kuhl installs more cedar roofs and restores more cedar roofs than anyone in Minnesota, so our perspective on what your roof needs isn't colored by our bottom line. We are brutally honest, which is what you deserve.

Step 2

Cedar Roof Cleaning

We use custom-built, trailer-mounted equipment designed specifically for cedar roof restoration. Unlike the small pressure washers used by our competitors, our machines deliver high water volume at low pressure, the safest and most effective way to clean cedar roofing.

Why does that matter? Because small, store-bought pressure washers operate at high pressure and low volume, which strips away wood and shortens the life of your roof. Powered by giant 25hp motors, our dual-pump systems produce gentle pressure and four times the water flow, which means cleaner results, less wood loss and NO chemicals needed during the roof washing process. You're welcome, environment!

Our rigs cost over $30,000 to build, but they’re worth every penny when it comes to cleaning your wood roof. Most companies simply don’t want to make that investment. We do because we only do this one way: the right way.

Step 3

Cedar Roof Repairs

Your cedar shake or shingle roof doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s a part of a larger system. Unlike other cedar roof cleaning companies in the Twin Cities, Kuhl’s Contracting employs professional, year-round roofers. Yep, we have roofers working on your roof. We are skilled at every aspect of roof repair, including the areas where your cedar roof interacts with other materials, like siding, metal pans, skylights, chimneys and flat roofs. You will never receive an estimate from us that has a shake or shingle allowance. We think your roof deserves a specific report and recommendation to address the areas of concern. Your cedar roof is a very expensive thing and it is a part of the larger envelop that makes up the exterior of your home. We understand how it all goes together because that's our day job.

Step 4

Cedar Roof Preservation

After your roof has been inspected, washed and repaired, we allow it to dry before applying our wood preservatives. After moving and protecting everything in the work area, we saturate your roof with a generous coat of clear, commercial wood preservative to help delay the effects of organic rot and deterioration caused by the sun. Wood preservation will add years of life to your roof in the same way it does all other wood on the exterior of your home.

Steve and his team really go the extra mile. It’s clear you’re working with true professionals the entire time.

Aaron M. Lahn, Minnetonka Cedar Roof Restoration and Repair

Case studies for our cedar roof repair and restoration projects

Welcome to our case studies. Open the hood, kick the tires, there's a lot to be discovered in these observations. We're self described geeks and we love to help people understand the nature of what's going on with their homes.

What Really Kills Most Cedar Shake Roofs

Forget hail damage, animals, moss, rot, ice and wind. The sun is your roofs’ main enemy.

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Pressure Washing Damage on Cedar Roof

Thoughts from an Honest Roofer on Washing Cedar Shake Roofing, Part One

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Six Examples of How the Cheapest Company Costs the Most

Six Examples of How the Cheapest Company Costs the Most

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Hiring a Cedar Roof Restoration Contractor: Honesty + Experience

Cedar Roof Cleaning Expert Rescues Excelsior Homeowner from Other ‘Expert’

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Who to call with a roof in limbo: Should You Replace or Repair Your Roof

Repair or Replace Your Roof...Start First with an Honest Roofing Contractor

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Why orange you going to stain your roof?

Staining Your Cedar Shake Roof Is Not a Great Idea.... Here is why.

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Good From Afar (But Far From Good)

Cedar Roof Cleaning Franchise Perpetrates Another Bad Roof Renew Job in Orono

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Roofing + Design + Carpentry = Happy Client

Roofing Contractor Uses Designers and Carpenters to Help Wayzata Commercial Roofing Client

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Honest Minneapolis Roof Restoration Company Calls It Like It Is. No, Seriously.

Minnetonka Homeowner Hears the Truth from Roof Cleaning Contractor with Integrity

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Minneapolis Cedar Roof Expert Gives Examples of Cedar Roof Repairs

Minneapolis Cedar Roof Expert Gives Examples of Cedar Roof Repairs

View case study PDF

See examples of our previous cedar roof repair and restoration projects

Watch years of dirt and organic growth vanish! This cedar roof restoration brings back the natural beauty of the wood, protects the shingles, and boosts curb appeal instantly.
Before and after a cedar roof restoration that had heavy organic growth, the difference is truly remarkable.
Cedar shake roof that was restored in Minnetonka with the comparison of before and after a cedar roof restoration process.
The purpose of washing a wood roof is two-fold. First we want to remove the threat of organic rot presented by moss and lichen. Just as important, we wash wood roofs to prepare the surface to accept our heavy duty, oil-base wood preservatives. This process will add years to the remaining life of your roof.
Sometimes insurance companies will only pay to replace certain slopes of your wood roof. In this case we Will match the material and design style of the roof to make sure all of it eventually blends together. New cedar roofing will turn light gray within about one year.
Our cedar roof washing process, requires no chemicals whatsoever. When you are using the proper equipment, wood brighteners, and bleach are not necessary. Be wary of any company that suggests otherwise.
Here's Ben repairing a heavy hand split cedar shake roof in Minnetonka Beach. This roof required expensive repairs because a large tree was allowed to grow too close next to the home, resulting in premature rot and failure of this section of wood roofing.
We are the only company that uses high volume, low pressure washing equipment. Our machines cost over $30,000. We don't spend the money because it's fun, we believe in doing things right.
Minneapolis cedar roof restoration with repairs, cleaning, and oil-based treatment applied for longer life.
Kuhl's Contracting has washed, repaired, preserved and fully restored more cedar shake, and cedar shingle roofs in Minnesota than any other company. Give us a call for a free roof inspection!
There's no job too steep or too high for us. Here we're working to restore a cedar shingle roof on a historic church in Minneapolis. Super cool project.
Cedar shake roof in Edina restored with cleaning, shake replacement, and preservation treatment, extending life and curb appeal. This is what the roof looks like halfway through washing day.
Get in touch to schedule an inspection and estimate
Our approach to inspecting

Kuhl takes a systematic and methodical approach to how we look at every project. You'll see it when we meet.

We promise to treat you like you're in our family, because you sort of are. The Twin Cities is a small area and there's a very good chance we've worked for somebody you already know (and we love that).

Our goal

We want you to become a customer for life.

Our inspection and estimating process is simple
  1. Call or email to schedule your inspection and estimate
  2. Information is gathered, costs are assembled, and your estimate is completed
  3. Your project is professionally scheduled and executed, no exceptions