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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...