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Cedar Shakes

Composition Roofs

Cedar Shakes

For questions, please feel free to e-mail us.

However, the quality of shakes has gone down a bit. One reason is because there is less old-growth cedar available.
 
You need to be careful when you purchase a shake roof. Ask questions about the wood the contractor intends to use: old growth, Canadian, treated, nontreated, vertical grain, flat grain, mixed grain, specials, mediums, or heavies.

The type of wood being used will greatly affect the longevity of your roof.

Specials: The most inexpensive shake available. Contractors usually install
these in new construction home developments. The life expectancy is 10 to
13 years, depending on how well it is maintained.

Premium No. 1 Mediums: Better than the specials. Most roofing supply
companies carry this type. They do have both flat-grain and vertical-grain cuts in them. Vertical-grain shakes tend to stay flat, where flat-grain shakes tend to flip up over time. The life expectancy is 15 to 18 years, depending on how well they are maintained.

Premium No. 1 Medium, 100% Vertical-Grain Cedar Shakes: The best shake for the buck, depending if it is old-growth cedar or not. We use these shakes the most and highly recommend them. We are able to get old-growth cedar, which tends to be a better quality than some of the other types on the market. The life expectancy is 20 to 23 years if they are properly maintained.

Premium No. 1 Heavies: Starting to get in the expensive range here, but there is both flat grain and vertical grain mixed in. The good news is that they should last between 25 and 28 years. However, be careful of the type of wood—old growth is the best.

Premium No. 1 Heavy, 100% Vertical-Grain Cedar Shakes: The best shake available, if it is old-growth cedar. They are really hard to find and may need to be special ordered from a mill. They should last around 30 to 35 years if maintained properly.

CCA Pressure-Treated Medium Shakes: If you like the comfort of having a warranty, this would be the shake for you. We have found the best wood is not used, so you sacrifice good wood for a treatment. These shakes come with a 30-year manufacturer warranty.

CCA Pressure-Treated Heavy Shakes: Again, the best wood is not used before treating, so you sacrifice good wood for a treatment. These shakes come with a 50-year manufacturer warranty.

Remember that shakes are a natural product. If debris is left standing on
your roof, it will deteriorate at a much higher rate.
 
Pressure washing can be done, but choose someone
who is reputable. Some home owners pressure wash
too often, forgetting that every time you pressure
wash you take off a layer of wood. With a roof that is
supposed to last 13 years, you may replace it in 8 if
you are not careful.

Shakes are not a low-maintenance roof by any means, and that should
be a consideration if you are thinking about purchasing this kind of roof.