Understanding Cedar Shingles and Shakes

Cedar wood is a material of choice for homeowners who are looking for a natural-looking roof. If you're one of them, take time to learn more about cedar before deciding to have your roofing replaced. Knowing the nature and qualities of your chosen roofing material will give you an idea of how it should be installed; or whether or not it suits your home's architecture.

Cedar wood can be cut into shake or shingle depending on the homeowner's preference. Cedar wood shake is categorized or distinguished from cedar shingle by its rough and raw texture. Traditionally, shakes are manually cut or sawn, keeping the rustic look that isn't typical in most roof types.

When shakes are further milled to obtain a finer texture, they become shingles. Cedar wood shingles make better-looking wood roofing compared to shakes because of the sleek and even proportion of each piece. Because most shingles come in almost perfectly equal sizes and shapes, they are very easy to install.

On the other hand, what makes shakes also easy to install is the fact that their inherently uneven surface becomes an excuse for not observing some structural standards. Yet, many reliable roofers take time to make sure each piece is properly laid on the surface. This way, leaks and early wear can be prevented. 

Why Install Cedar Siding on Your Home

With all the threats of nature emerging as a result of climate change, no home is safe with bare exterior walls. A home needs siding to ward off the elements and prolong the life of its main wall structure. Not just a shield, this cladding material should be visually appealing to increase the home's value. This is where cedar siding, a wood siding known for its natural beauty, comes into play.

Cedar siding is wood, and is cut out of huge trees, giving it unparalleled natural texture. Other siding materials may imitate its look; but only true wood showcases a natural beauty that makes a home stand out. The tones and patterns are so unique that it looks beautiful even when not treated or coated with varnish.

What makes cedar an even more interesting siding material is that it's naturally resistant to moisture and infestation. Unlike other wood that succumbs easily to termites, cedar is virtually invincible. The natural preservatives that cedar planks contain are harmful to fungi, helping the siding last for many years.

While cutting cedar trees can be considered threatening to the environment, many environmentalists have already claimed that cedar wood is a renewable source of energy. This is all the more true as more and more cedar trees are now being planted in place of those that have already been cut. For this reason, cedar is among the most environment friendly siding materials for homes.

Shakes or Shingles: Which is the Best for Sidings?

People who prefer to have their homes built using cedar have the dilemma of choosing between shakes or shingles. Technically speaking, these two are more or less the same, save for a few cosmetic and manufacturing differences. However, there are some circumstances wherein one is preferable over the other, especially when they're intended to be used as a siding material.

Cedar shingles are made by sawing both sides of the wood and ensuring a thin butt at the same time. This means that shingles are generally more uniform in shape and design than cedar shakes, which limits their variety. On the plus side, cedar shingles are usually two-faced, which means that each piece has two designs. The “face” that looks more beautiful is usually the one that is exposed to the outside elements.

Cedar shakes, meanwhile, are somewhat less uniform because they vary in shape and width in small amounts. While this gives them more leeway when it comes to aesthetic design, shakes are also relatively heavier than cedar shingles, which means that weight is an important consideration when using them as a siding material. Some shakes may also require sanding and polishing before they can be used to remove excess grain content.

Leave Cedar Shake Installation to Reliable Roofers

Homes may use asphalt or composite shingles for their rooftops, but there are many homeowners who still stand by good old wood. Experts recommend cedar shakes or shingles for those who want a rustic and natural feel for their roofing systems, specifically because these wood-based materials offer the best in terms of aesthetics and function. However, it is also advisable to engage reliable roofers for such installation, rather than opting for a weekend DIY project.

The task is not simple because wood is very vulnerable to moisture, and can only be fixed with the careful application of preservatives. Some wood panels that have been treated with “fire-retardant” preservatives may even lose their coveted protective layer if the house has a history of extensively using heat sources (such as fireplaces and oil lamps). Professional roofers can work around this by introducing additional wood layers to the roofing system, something that an ordinary homeowner can't possibly know of from the get-go.

Cedar shakes can also be a bit picky when it comes to the selection of fastening materials. Experts recommend galvanized steel staples or nails to provide the best “grip” without damaging the wood material. When it comes to roof flashings, cedar shakes may need to incorporate a few metal plates to protect the wood from concentrated levels of rainwater and melted snow, which can soak even the strongest cedar shakes with dangerous levels of moisture.

Good Wood: Choosing the Right Cedar Shingles

Traditional American homes typically have cedar shingles topping them off. The sheer variety of cedar trees yield a wide range of cedar shakes and shingles. This makes picking the right shingle siding quite challenging to the uninitiated. Fortunately, a few hints can change all that.

One of the most popular choices for a cedar shingle is red cedar, which is widely treasured for its exquisitely tight grain texture and exceptional durability. Red cedar also weathers quite well and in time takes on a darker look that gives added character to any home exterior. However, red cedar often performs rather poorly when used as a siding material for houses along coastal regions, as the salt-infused air can ruin the material in no time.

A suitable alternative would be white cedar, which gives off a silvery hue. White cedar is the perfect choice for those who want a crisp and clean look. This material also holds up quite well against the weather, and ages into a pleasant beige regardless of atmospheric conditions. The downside to white cedar is that it's not as tightly grained as red and is, thus, less durable. As such, be sure to weigh your options carefully, and choose only reputable suppliers and contractors.

Source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,216680,00.html

Good Wood: The Benefits of Cedar Roof Shingles

With all this talk about synthetic materials and roofing membranes, you're probably unaware of the benefits of using all-natural roofing materials like cedar shingles. Although you might think that wood is less durable than plastic or metal, modern construction techniques can produce cedar roofs that are just as tough and versatile, albeit without the cons of other purportedly “superior” materials. Cedar shingles, after all, are installed in at least three layers to provide optimum protection against the elements.

One of the primary benefits of cedar shingles is that they give off a natural, rustic look that can't be mimicked easily by, say, metal tiles painted brown or red. Shingles installed with the right finish not only add character but also neutralize rot and moss growth, one of the biggest drawbacks of wood roofing in general. In addition, cedar itself is an excellent insulating material, which can help homeowners cut down on their energy bills.

Maintenance is also relatively easy when a roof is made from cedar shingles, to the point that even an ordinary person can carry out routine maintenance tasks. To improve durability, semi-transparent, oil-based stains should be used as finishing materials that protect the shingles from water infiltration. Even without frequent care, cedar shingles can last for at least 10 years.

Getting to Know Western Red Cedar

Cedar shake roofs instantly add a classic and elegant touch to any colonial-style home, making them a favorite among many American homeowners. Consumers have several choices when it comes to this elegant roofing material. Among these variants, Western red cedar (scientific name: Thuja plicata) scores highly in terms of beauty and durability.

The Western red cedar is an enormous tree that grows mostly in cool, moist areas of the Pacific Northwest region such as Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Hence, this material is also referred to as Pacific red cedar. The lovely reddish brown bark and wood distinguishes red cedar from other trees, making it quite the stylish option for roof shakes. Interestingly, red cedar shakes transform into lovely shades of gray as they age.

According to a study by Portland State University, Native American tribes where the first ones to appreciate red cedar's fine-grained surface and rot-resistant qualities. These tribes used the wood to create various objects such as wooden storage boxes, canoes, houses, ceremonial head dresses, and even coffins. These days, Western red cedar is used for various purposes other than roofing. For instance, you’ll find that red cedar is also used for building siding, fence posts, deck flooring, blinds, shutters, gazebos, and sheds.

Wrapping Your Home with Cedar Shake Siding

The clothes you wear every day can speak volumes about your personality. Yet everyday clothing also has to be functional instead of just merely fashionable or eye-catching. The same can be said about your chosen siding material.

Siding can be made of vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement, metal, and wood. If you want a natural material that’s quite durable and elegant to boot, you might want to go for cedar shake or shingle siding. The best kinds are made of: Western Red Cedar, which typically grows west of the Rocky Mountains; Alaska Yellow Cedar, which is actually part of the cypress family tree and thrives in the west coast mountains of the US and Canada), or Easter White Cedar (native to the Great Lakes regions, areas of northeast USA and southeastern Canada).

Aside from being naturally attractive, cedar shake siding offers several other distinct benefits. For instance, cedar shakes are bio-degradable, durable, impact resistant, and possess excellent thermal insulation properties. Cedar shakes or shingles also come with a wide range of design options that can increase your home's curb appeal. Indeed, if you want long-lasting protection and a corresponding increase in real estate value, you certainly can’t go wrong with cedar shake siding

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