A Cedar Roof Brings More Than Beauty — It Brings Proven Performance

With the right materials and proper installation, cedar roofing can last 30–50 years or more. But when corners are cut — with thin shingles, poor ventilation, or cheap fasteners — problems show up fast.

At Custom Installations, we’ve been doing cedar the right way for over 50 years.

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Our Certifications & Trusted Brands

We Work with the Best — So You Get the Best

Not all cedar is created equal. That’s why we only install certified, premium-grade materials from industry-trusted sources.

Brava® Synthetic Roofing

Engineered cedar shake alternatives with Class A fire ratings and 50-year warranties.

DaVinci Roofscapes®

High-end composite shakes that mimic the look of wood with added resilience.

Vermont Slate & Ludowici®

For custom projects that blend cedar with tile or slate, we match every detail flawlessly.

Poor Installation Can Cut a Cedar Roof’s Life in Half

We get calls every year from homeowners with cracked, curling, or buckling shingles — sometimes after only a few years. The cause? Inexperienced installers using the wrong materials or skipping key steps that protect your investment.

Why Choose Us for Your Cedar Roofing Project

Every detail matters when it comes to cedar — from species and thickness to nail type and ventilation design. We follow industry-best practices, avoid shortcuts, and help you understand the choices that affect cost, durability, and maintenance.

Why Homeowners Choose Cedar in the Midwest

Natural Insulation for Year-Round Efficiency

Cedar is one of the best natural insulators — helping homes stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter. That means more comfort and lower energy bills in climates like ours.

Ideal for Chicago-Area Snow Loads & Drainage

Cedar shakes shed water and snow efficiently, even during heavy freeze-thaw cycles. When installed properly, they resist ice damming and minimize moisture buildup.

Unmatched Curb Appeal in Historic Neighborhoods

From Lake Forest to Wilmette, cedar roofs complement the architectural charm of older homes — offering a warm, textured finish that synthetic products can’t replicate.

Long-Term Durability with Proper Upkeep

When installed with proper ventilation and maintained seasonally, cedar roofs can last 30+ years — holding up beautifully in both urban and lakefront environments.

Eco-Friendly, Renewable & Regionally Smart

Cedar is biodegradable, sustainably harvested, and requires less energy to produce than synthetic or asphalt alternatives — making it a smart choice for eco-conscious homeowners.

“They knew exactly what our cedar roof needed — and explained every step of the way.”

Our clients choose Custom Installations because they want things done right — the first time. No corner-cutting. No mismatched materials. No surprise costs. Just experienced craftsmen, clean job sites, and stunning results.

About Custom Installations, Inc.

We’re a second-generation, family-operated company built on one core belief:

Craftsmanship matters. Always has, always will.

With deep roots in Chicagoland and Metro Milwaukee, our team has served homeowners, architects, and builders since 1969. From small repairs to historical restorations, we deliver consistent, high-quality results.

Our Completed Projects

Explore our past work in your neighborhood.

Hear From Homeowners Like You

Discover what real homeowners are saying about their experience with us. From start to finish, our team is committed to delivering quality, reliability, and results you can trust.

Greta Harrris

John Robinson & crew was a pleasure to work with: very professional, respectful & competent. They kept me informed of their work schedule at all times & even went the extra mile to address a vent issue that I did not know I had. I would highly recommend using Custom Installations for their quality of work & making the customer feel at ease answering every question. Very satisfied.

Carol Ann B.

My garage I had vinyl siding was done in one day . They did a great job I am so happy i had it done. the crew were working hard all day and the project manager, John Robinson, came often to check on the work. I will recommend this company to my friends.

Jonathan J.

John Robinson at Custom Installations was a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. He was extremely responsive, collaborative and nice, which is rare these days. His team worked diligently for nearly a month. Overall, it was a great experience to work with John and his team at Custom Installations.

Denali

Had Custom installations redo the entire exterior,(hardie board) roof, and gutters of our home and the results were great! Very professional and organized. Whenever I had a concern or question, my point of contact and project lead, John was an invaluable resource and took care of any issues or questions immediately. I was very impressed with his knowledge and ability to communicate my concerns and wants to whatever crew was working for the entirety of the project. Would definitely recommend and use custom installations on future projects.

Ryan Chitwood

I was in need of a metal crew that could do very high end copper work and was recommended this company by a major national player that owns a company in Denver, Co. The people at Custom Installations were amazing from start to finish, literally. They traveled here during the week for work and were so careful and respectful. Their copper/metal work is as good as I have ever seen. They just completed the most beautiful roof we have ever done for a homeowner. Their communication was fluid and consistent and we had zero issues. For a job with a ticket that size, we needed this to be a smooth process and Custom Installations Inc knocked it out of the park for us. Thank you guys!

Rob

Custom Installation was great to work with through this whole process. From the beginning, Ted Aydt Was very professional and thorough with the bid and immensely helpful with the insurance issues. On the job, the whole crew was great and so respectful. John Robinson was The project manager and always kept us up-to-date as did the office staff. I would definitely recommend them for your roofing job.

Will Lynn

Our old siding and part of our garage where damaged due to a storm which resulted in our house needing to be completely re-sided and part of the garage roof replaced. We chose Custom Installation not only for the quality of their work but their skilled teams knowledge of insurance claims. Bruce truly made this entire process as smooth as possible. We could lot be happier with how our house turned out.

Jacob Rosenfeld

We just hired Custom Installations to re-side & re-roof my home. We chose James Hardie, Board & Baton siding. The Custom Installations team was awesome, from my sales contact, Brad Hironimus, to the installers. Despite the house being originally constructed in the 1960's, it now looks brand new and I expect will further stand the test of time. The foreman assigned to our job, John Robinson, was exceptional. He was extremely responsive and always arrived on site with a great attitude. Whenever I had questions or concerns, he was easy to reach and successfully drove the team into delivering a fantastic result. I would definitely refer the Custom Installations team to anyone looking to improve their home.

Robert Tschurtz

We recently had a new asphalt roof installed on our residence here in Wisconsin. Mr. Pohlman and his crew were professional, timely, and exacting in the quality of their work. The project started and ended on time with no issues. Our property was left in the same condition as when they started. Mr. Pohlman was always available by email and personal cell phone for any questions, and personally on site. Overall, an excellent experience all the way around. Very rare these days.

Brett Paschke

The roof looks great and communication from Kevin and team was excellent throughout. Bob and the onsite team were up on the roof in below zero weather getting the job done.

David Held

Danny was able to arrange for contractor to remove the solar panels. He and his crew did a great job reroofing our home.

Jonathan Jonas

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What Homeowners Ask Us Most

How long does a cedar roof last in the Midwest?

With proper installation and seasonal maintenance, a cedar shake or shingle roof can last 25 to 30+ years — even with snow, wind, and temperature swings common in Illinois and Wisconsin.

What’s the difference between cedar shakes and shingles?

Shakes are hand-split and have a more rustic, textured look. Shingles are sawn and offer a smoother, more uniform appearance. We’ll help you choose based on your home’s style and your visual goals.

Is cedar roofing high maintenance?

Cedar roofs benefit from basic seasonal upkeep — like clearing debris, checking flashing, and resealing if needed. We offer maintenance plans that keep your roof in peak condition without the hassle.

Will cedar roofing increase my home’s value?

Yes. Cedar is considered a premium material, and it’s especially sought after in historic neighborhoods and custom-built homes. Its natural beauty and performance can boost curb appeal and resale potential.

How does cedar compare to synthetic alternatives like DaVinci?

While DaVinci offers great durability and low maintenance, real cedar delivers unmatched warmth and authenticity. Many homeowners in classic or historic communities prefer the natural look and feel of genuine wood.

Got More Questions?

We’re here to help. Whether you’re unsure about roof types, warranty details, or what to expect during installation—we’ll walk you through it all with zero pressure.

Find Out If We Service Your Area

Custom Installations, Inc. proudly serves homeowners, builders, and property managers across Chicagoland, Metro and Milwaukee.

Primary Service Areas:

Illinois

Wisconsin

Give Us a call.

Want answers fast? Talk directly with our team — no call centers, no runaround. We’re here to help with quotes, questions, and urgent service needs.

We’ll call you.

Prefer we reach out? No problem. Just share your info and we’ll give you a call — usually within the same business day.

Custom Quote

Tell us a bit about your project and we’ll send you a detailed estimate — no pressure, no obligation. Just clear, honest pricing from people who know what they’re doing.

From The Blog

Tips, Insights & Seasonal Advice from Our Experts

January 25, 2023

Are You Guilty of These Gutter Maintenance Sins?

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January 18, 2023

Should You Have Your Cedar Roof Treated?

Cedar roofs are one of the most aesthetically pleasing roof types. However, when getting them installed for your home, you’ll…

January 11, 2023

Can You Have My Gutters Cleaned in Winter?

Winter can be a tough time of year for exterior maintenance, especially when it comes to gutters. While most people…

A Cedar Roof Brings More Than Beauty — It Brings Proven Performance

Free Estimate!

Our Certifications & Trusted Brands

We Work with the Best — So You Get the Best

Brava® Synthetic Roofing

DaVinci Roofscapes®

Vermont Slate & Ludowici®

Poor Installation Can Cut a Cedar Roof’s Life in Half

Why Choose Us for Your Cedar Roofing Project

Why Homeowners Choose Cedar in the Midwest

Natural Insulation for Year-Round Efficiency

Ideal for Chicago-Area Snow Loads & Drainage

Unmatched Curb Appeal in Historic Neighborhoods

Long-Term Durability with Proper Upkeep

Eco-Friendly, Renewable & Regionally Smart

“They knew exactly what our cedar roof needed — and explained every step of the way.”

About Custom Installations, Inc.

Craftsmanship matters. Always has, always will.

Our Completed Projects

Hear From Homeowners Like You

Greta Harrris

Carol Ann B.

Jonathan J.

Denali

Ryan Chitwood

Rob

Will Lynn

Jacob Rosenfeld

Robert Tschurtz

Brett Paschke

David Held

Jonathan Jonas

Lorem ipsum dolor amet

LOREMP IPSUM DOLOR

$149.99

LOREMP IPSUM DOLOR

$179.99

LOREMP IPSUM DOLOR

$249.99

What Homeowners Ask Us Most

How long does a cedar roof last in the Midwest?

What’s the difference between cedar shakes and shingles?

Is cedar roofing high maintenance?

Will cedar roofing increase my home’s value?

How does cedar compare to synthetic alternatives like DaVinci?

Got More Questions?

Find Out If We Service Your Area

Primary Service Areas:

Illinois

Wisconsin

Give Us a call.

We’ll call you.

Custom Quote

From The Blog

Are You Guilty of These Gutter Maintenance Sins?

Should You Have Your Cedar Roof Treated?

Can You Have My Gutters Cleaned in Winter?

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