Differentiating between Cedar Shingles and Shakes

Western Red Cedar is the most widely used wood in America. It's used in pencils, poles, fences, cabinets, interior finish, and cooperage. However, it's most popular use is for roof shingles and shakes. Due to its durability, cut, and many color varieties, cedar wood is a highly preferred roofing material option. Both cedar shingles and shakes are widely used on commercial and residential structures alike.

Cedar shingles

Cedar shingles generally come in uniform thickness, appearance, and width (except for custom orders). They come in two styles: sawn and sanded. Sawn cedar shingles have the strength and visual properties of cedar shakes, but with a more refined look. Sanded cedar shingles are smoother on both sides of the panel and offer an even more tailored appearance.

Cedar shakes

Cedar shakes are less uniform in thickness than shingles. Sometimes, they can be grooved and have a little taper. Cedar shakes also come in two styles: hand-split and taper-sawn. Hand-split shakes are rough and unsanded, lending to a more rustic effect. The taper-sawn cedar shake variety is sawn on both sides and retains the strength and thickness of a shake while remaining closer to the textured appearance of a shingle.

To differentiate between the two, cedar shingles give your roof a more refined look, while cedar shakes provide a more rugged appearance. Both can be applied directly over existing roofing materials like asphalt or wood shingles.

Basic Facts About Staining Your Cedar Siding

Cedar siding needs to be stained to protect and preserve the wood and enhance its natural beauty. Stains for cedar siding range from deep stains that protect the material from harmful UV rays, to clear coats that showcase its natural color. Here are some details you need to know if you're having your cedar siding stained.

Additional protection

Staining helps the wood become more resistant to weather, insects, and other conditions. Keeping moisture to a minimum is the key to preserving wood products, and stains do a great job in this regard. Many cedar siding brands come pre-primed when you buy them, which makes the cedar staining process a whole lot easier.

The resulting color

The final color of your siding will depend on how the natural color of the wood blends with your chosen stain. Stain on red cedar will have a darker hue than stain used on white cedar. If you plan to apply the stain yourself, make sure that the stain is compatible with the primer. Ask your local retailer about primer and stain compatibilities.

Cost

It's important to decide first if you'll be staining the sidings yourself or calling in the pros. On average, you'll have to pay $300 to $400 for professional staining work. You can save on labor by tackling the project yourself, just be sure you know what you're doing before you begin.

How to Maintain and Restore Cedar Siding

The use of cedar siding in your home exterior is an excellent way to protect it from the elements since the material is naturally durable and can withstand heavy storms. However, despite its durability, cedar is bound to fade, making your home look old and worn. Here are some helpful tips to restore it to its original state.

First, cover the areas below the part where you plan to restore by placing tarps and dropcloths over plants, glass and other fixtures. Apply an even coating of paint stripper to your cedar siding and leave it on as per manufacturer's instructions. Then, use a paint scraper to gently remove any signs of the original stain.

Using a fine-grit sandpaper, rub the siding surface, particularly focusing on any areas that still have stain. Next, look for signs of chips or cracks in the wood. Fill the damaged areas with epoxy filler, let dry completely, and sand the surface again.

Apply a coat of paint preservative with the use of a paintbrush and let it dry thoroughly. Use caulk on any exposed nails in the siding as well as in the larger cracks you can find. When the caulk dries up, paint the siding with a primer, and then a layer of siding paint. Make sure the preceding coat has already completely dried before you apply more coats

Treatments for Prolonging Cedar Shake Life

For hundreds of years, cedar has been one of the most used types of wooden roofing, thanks to the material's inherent durability and elegance. Today, there are many wood roofing treatments that you can apply to even further this durability, as well as reinforce its resistance to rot and weather damage.

You can find many commercial chemical products in your local store that can be used to treat your cedar shake roof against fungus that can cause decay. For extra safety, be sure that the chemical that you use is specifically for cedar shake, and is guaranteed by the manufacturer to be water resistant, can prevent UV radiation and if possible, registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Pesky algae and fungal growth can also be treated with an appropriate amount of bleach solution. Use oxygen bleach for stains and dirt. Mix the solution with water and wait about thirty minutes before rinsing. Make sure to protect any plants directly below your roof

Moreover, you can give your cedar shake roofing a regular clean by hiring a power washing company to do it for you. Power washers can deliver excellent surface cleaning with the power of water pressure and chemical cleaners.