Cedar shakes give a house a textured, cottage or coastal look that flat lap siding cannot match. The trouble with real cedar in Michigan is maintenance: it needs to be stained or sealed every few years, it weathers unevenly on the sunny side, and it is a favorite of woodpeckers and carpenter bees. That is why most “cedar shake” siding going up on homes today is not wood at all. It is vinyl or fiber cement molded or cut to look like shakes.
Rock Solid Exteriors is a family-owned, locally owned and operated siding contractor in Clinton Township, in business since 1997. We install shake-style siding in vinyl and James Hardie fiber cement, on whole houses and as accents. Call (844) 757-6543 or book a free in-home siding estimate.
Where Shake Siding Works Best
Most of the shake siding we see in Macomb and Oakland County is used as an accent, and that is often the best use of it:
- Gables. The triangle under the roof peak is the classic spot. Shakes there break up a large wall of lap siding and draw the eye up.
- Dormers and bump-outs. A small area in a contrasting texture or color adds depth without overwhelming the house.
- Porch and entry walls. Shakes around the front door make the entry feel finished.
- The upper story of a two-story home, with lap siding below and a band board between them.
- The whole house. Full shake exteriors suit Cape Cods, cottages and lake homes. It is a bigger budget, but a strong look.
A good rule of thumb: pick one texture as the main siding and use the other in a few deliberate places. Mixing shakes, lap and stone on every wall usually looks busy.
Shake-Look Siding Options Compared
| Vinyl shake | Fiber cement shake (James Hardie) | Real cedar (for comparison) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Higher | Highest per square foot |
| Painting or staining | Never; color is through the panel | Factory or field paint; repaint over the long term | Stain or seal every few years |
| Look up close | Molded shake texture, panels of several “shakes” | Crisp shadow lines, reads like painted wood | Natural wood, uneven weathering |
| Rot, insects, woodpeckers | Not affected | Not affected | Vulnerable |
| Fire | Melts near high heat (grills) | Non-combustible | Combustible |
| Best fit | Accents on vinyl-sided homes; budget whole-house jobs | Homes with Hardie lap siding; painted-wood look | Historic or specialty homes |
Vinyl shake siding
Vinyl shake panels are molded with the texture and staggered bottom edge of real shakes. Several “shakes” are joined in each panel, so installation is fast and the result is consistent. Some styles copy straight-edge shingles, some copy rough split shakes, and some have half-round or scalloped edges for a Victorian look. Vinyl shakes pair naturally with vinyl lap siding, and color can be matched or contrasted.
Fiber cement shake siding
If you searched for “concrete cedar shake siding,” fiber cement is what you are looking for. It is made from cement, sand and cellulose fibers, cut into shingle shapes, and it holds sharp edges and deep shadow lines that read as painted wood from the street. It does not rot, and it does not burn. As a James Hardie Select Contractor, we install Hardie fiber cement, and shakes are a natural accent on a James Hardie siding project.
How We Install Shake Siding
- Inspect the walls. Old siding comes off where needed and we check the sheathing for soft or rotted areas, which are replaced before anything new goes on.
- House wrap and flashing. Every siding install includes house wrap and flashing at windows, doors, roof-to-wall intersections and other openings. The siding sheds most water; the wrap and flashing handle what gets behind it.
- Start straight. Shakes show every wavy line, so the starter course and each course above it are kept level, even where the wall is not.
- Trim and transitions. Where shakes meet lap siding, a band board or trim piece gives a clean break. Gable edges get finished trim so cut ends are not exposed.
- Cleanup and walkthrough. We clean up the site and review the finished work with you.
We will explain any differences in how the vinyl and fiber cement products are fastened and gapped when we go over your estimate. Each product has its own installation instructions, and they are followed.
What Affects the Cost of Shake Siding
Published 2026 figures give a useful frame. A Michigan siding cost guide lists whole-house re-siding at about $9,000 to $16,000 for vinyl and $18,000 to $30,000+ for James Hardie. A national calculator puts real white cedar shingle siding at about $12.28 to $19.58 per square foot installed. Shake-profile panels generally cost more per square foot than standard lap siding in the same material. These are typical published ranges, not a Rock Solid quote. On your home, the price depends on:
- How much wall area gets shakes: a couple of gables or the whole house
- Material: vinyl or fiber cement, and the style of shake
- Height and access: gable peaks on two-story homes need more setup
- Wall condition: sheathing repair found once old siding is removed
- Trim detail at corners, windows and transitions
0% financing for 60 months is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10% discount. See financing.
Shake Siding FAQ
What is cedar shake siding?
Originally, it was split or sawn cedar shingles nailed in overlapping rows. Today the term mostly describes the look, and most new “cedar shake” siding is vinyl or fiber cement made to resemble wood shakes.
Can I put shakes only in my gables?
Yes. It is the most common way we see shakes used, and it is also the most budget-friendly way to add the texture.
Will vinyl shakes match my existing vinyl siding?
We can often coordinate color with existing siding, but faded siding rarely matches new product exactly. Many homeowners choose a deliberate contrast color for the shakes, which avoids the problem.
Is fiber cement shake siding worth the extra cost?
If you want a crisp, painted-wood look, non-combustible siding, or you already have Hardie lap siding, it usually is. If the priority is lowest cost and no painting, vinyl makes more sense.
Does shake siding need special maintenance?
Vinyl and fiber cement shakes need an occasional rinse. Fiber cement will need repainting over the long term. Neither needs the regular staining that real cedar does.
Shake Siding Across Macomb, Oakland and Lapeer County
We install siding throughout the area, including Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Chesterfield, Roseville, Mount Clemens, Troy, Rochester Hills and Lapeer. For the full range of siding we install, see siding, stone veneer accents and soffit and fascia. Photos of recent siding work are in the siding gallery.
Rock Solid Exteriors is a Mastic preferred siding installer, CertainTeed certified and a James Hardie Select Contractor.
Get a Free Shake Siding Estimate
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your free in-home estimate. Office hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. Michigan Residential Builder License 2102205396.
Rock Solid Exteriors, 42452 Hayes Rd #2a, Clinton Township, MI 48038.