I have installed more than 100 cedar roofs and have had many clients ask me “Is cedar breather necessary?” and my opinion has changed over time. In this article, we will go over what cedar breather is, how to install it with a wood roof and more of my thoughts on the Cedar Shake accessory.

Where To Buy Cedar Breather?

There are very few places to buy cedar breather for the average person. When I am ordering this for my clients, it is always a special order. Your normal roofing supply stores (ABC, Home Depot, Lowes, etc) will not have this product in stock. That is because cedar shake roofs are not in high demand due to its price and complexity.

However, you can order it on Amazon. There are three main manufacturers and I do not believe one is better than the other. I would just choose the cheapest out of these three. I’ve included the link to those here.

• Cedair-Mat
• MortAir Vent
• Benjamin Obdyke – Most Popular

How Do You Install Cedar Breather?

It’s very easy to install. After you get your ice and water shield down, you just nail the breather on top of it.

What Is The Purpose Of Cedar Breather?

If you are researching installing a cedar shake roof, you know it is VERY expensive. We have been trying to figure out how to prolong the life of cedar shake and one of the main advancements we have made is this product. The purpose of cedar breather is to allow more airflow under the wood so it dries faster and slows down decomposition. The faster wood dries, the longer it lasts.

The official purpose according to Benjamin Obdyke is…..

” Pennsylvania manufacturer Benjamin Obdyke introduced the first-of-its-kind Cedar Breather to the building and construction industry in 1990 as a way to provide a space between the solid roof deck and wood shakes and shingles that would cover it. The intention is to promote continuous air flow between the two layers to help preserve the life of the roofing. The three-dimensional open mesh creates a space to help eliminate excess moisture and allows the underside of the shingles to dry, preventing thermal cupping and warping and reducing potential rotting. “

When Should You Use Cedar Breather?

Listen, I use cedar breather on every install because the Cedar companies say it helps and they want it used. In theory, it’s a great product. However, I have torn off many cedar shake roofs less than 15 years old that used this product and I don’t think it helped at all. It’s much more important to trim trees around your house so wind can reach the wood to dry it. However, as mentioned, I use cedar breather on every install and will continue to do so.

How Much Cedar Breather Do I Need For My Roof?

Each roll of cedar breather is a roll of around 200 square feet. Therefore, if you have a roof that is 2,000 square feet (20 squares) you would need at least 10 rolls of cedar breather but I would suggest ordering one extra to account for waste.

If you have any more questions regarding cedar breather, I am happy to help. Just shoot me an e-mail. I also made a video on installing cedar shake if you would like to watch it.