However, according to Mike Vaille of the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau, many Midwestern homeowners aren't aware of the maintenance cedar roofs need. "Cedar roofs have been around forever on the Coasts," notes Vaille, "but they've only recently become really popular in the Midwest. Unfortunately, our organization has found that information on how to care for them isn't spreading nearly as fast as their installation."

Vaille explains that lack of maintenance can be especially detrimental to a cedar roof in the Midwest, because the climate is so tough on the cedar.

Signs that your cedar roof is breaking down from lack of preservation include shakes or shingles that are curling, splitting, cupping, shrinking or swelling. Leaks are also frequently caused by degeneration of the cedar -- as are visible decay or a loss in the cedar's original, rich color.