Vancouver, Washington sits directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, and the roofing climate is essentially the same Pacific Northwest moisture pattern as the greater Portland metro. Clark County collects the same 36-plus inches of annual rain across 150-plus rainy days, the same overcast skies, and the same relentless moss, algae, and lichen pressure that dominates every roofing conversation in the region.
The dominant residential roof types across Vancouver are asphalt shingle and — on older stock — cedar shake, with metal roofing gaining share on newer builds. The failure modes are what they always are in the PNW: moss establishing on north slopes and lifting shingle edges, cedar shake rotting on shaded elevations, and moisture damage at every flashing detail not installed to Pacific Northwest standards.
Moss is the through-line problem
Untreated moss working under shingle edges is the leading cause of premature shingle replacement across the Pacific Northwest. On a Vancouver re-roof, a zinc or copper strip installed at the ridge releases trace metals in every rain and suppresses moss on the slopes below — the cheapest single upgrade available in this climate.
Cedar shake is a commitment
The older Vancouver neighbourhoods across Uptown, Hough, and portions of the West Side still carry cedar shake roofs. Cedar’s Pacific Northwest lifespan runs 20 to 40 years depending on exposure and maintenance, and the end-of-life decision is often not repair versus replacement but cedar versus modern composite or metal alternative.
Flashing detail carries the roof
Because water sits on Vancouver roofs for most of the year, any flashing imperfection is exercised daily rather than seasonally. Step flashing at walls, chimney counterflashing, valley underlayment, and eave drip edge should all be first-class specification items — not afterthoughts.
Occasional serious winter events
Vancouver does not see the ice-and-snow punishment of the Midwest, but occasional serious winter storms — including the 2016 and 2024 events — deposit meaningful snow and produce freeze-thaw sequences that expose weak flashing. Ice-and-water barrier at eaves is not universal in mild-climate PNW installs, but it is worth specifying.
City of Vancouver permits
The Vancouver Community & Economic Development Department issues re-roof permits, and inspection includes flashing and ventilation. The permit should be a line item on the written quote.