SHAKE ROOF REPAIR

Q: Will cedar shake roofs increase the overall value of a home?

A: Believe it or not, Yes! Cedar Shake has always been considered a premium material for most finer homes. Because of this, homes that have cedar shake roofs will have a premium price.

Q: What kind of maintenance does cedar shake roofs need?

A: A cedar shake is considered a roofing material that is made that needs to have periodic maintenance that helps to prolong the life of the roof. With very little effort, you can remove debris from your cedar roof.

Q: How long does a cedar shake roof last?

A: A cedar shake roof has been known to last more than 100 years. Depending on what type of grade you buy, your shakes will last for various amounts of time. Normally, thicker shakes and better grades will last longer. The stock shake, genuine classic and premium select mediums will last for at least 40 years. Genuine classic and premium select heavies will last for at least 50 years. With the periodic maintenance you will be able to extend your cedar roof life.

Q: What is the difference between shingles and shakes?

A: There are actually a lot of differences between cedar shingles and shakes. A cedar shake is thicker and this causes a shake roof to last longer. In addition, cedar shakes are hand-split. These hand-split shakes will show the wood grain. Normally shingles are sawed on both sides and is thinner than the butt of shake, which is split on one or both sides.

Shakes: Normally, shakes are made from wood that is split from a block of cedar. Although, this isn’t always the case. In the beginning cedar shakes were cut from cedar blocks by hand by using froes or sharp blade and mallet. There are some shakes that are still made this way, but its normally for special orders. This technique is done at an angle or straight depending on what the customer wants. Shakes that are split straight are called barn shakes. Taper-split shakes are split at an angle, and just made with hand tools.

Shingles: Shingles are sawed on both sides from a cedar block. Many shingles are made using a stationary, upright saw. The cedar block is moved through the carriage that holds the wood firmly, but alternates the angle of cut. Once it is sliced from the cedar block, each side is cut to create perfect square corners. They are then used for roofing or sent to be processed to create a sidewall product.

Q: Why should fire retardant shakes be placed on my roof when I live in a wet climate?

A: There will always be a danger of firework or flying ember from a burn pile or neighbor home that could hit your roof no matter where you are living.

Q: How does steeper roof pitches affect shake roofs?

A: Moisture happens to be the foremost cause of roof deterioration. The steeper the slope is, the quicker the moisture and rainwater can run off.

Q: What exactly is actually considered grain?

A: Grain happens to be the size, appearance, quality, direction, or arrangement of wood fibers. The narrower or tighter the grain, the more durable the wood will be, and thus the likelihood that it came from an old cedar. Each grain will represent a year of growth.

Q: What exactly is considered edge grain?

A: This is where the wood is cut at right angles to annual rings.

Q: What exactly is considered flat grain?

A: Flat grains are wood that is cut tangential to annual rings and that means that the condition that the rings form an angle are less than 45 degrees. Whenever it takes in moisture, and dries cupping may happen.

Q: What exactly is considered cross-grain?

A: This is a deviation of wood fibers from the face of a taper sawed shake.

Q: Will a shake roof make your home energy efficient?

A: Yes. Shake roofs will make the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Q: What exactly is considered diagonal grain?

A: This is a condition where the wood grain doesn’t run parallel to the edges of a shingle. It’s considered to be a defect when it slants more than 2 inches.

Q: What is considered to be taper sawed?

A: This is where shakes are tapered and sawed on both sides.

Q: Can cedar shakes be hail resistant?

A: The damage that hail does has been documented, but cedar shakes are a strong defense against hail damage.

Q: What part of trees are used for cedar shakes?

A: It comes from heartwood, where the grain is found to be the narrowest.

Q: What is the average lifespan for treated cedar shakes?

A: You may be able to expect a lifespan up to 50 years, depending on the thickness and quality of the shakes.

Q: What type of nails should be used on Shake roofs?

A: Stainless steel or zinc coated nails that have been hot dipped are best. Although, any UBC corrosion resistant fasteners may be used. Be sure to use 2 for each shake and place them an inch from the edge and high enough to be covered up to 2 inches. Fasteners should be long enough to go throughout the sheathing.

Q: What are shakes that have been hand-split?

A: These are shakes that have been sawed on the back side and split on the face or both sides have been split.

Q: Are there wood bans within the US?

A: There are some wood bans within the US. Be sure to check with local building or fire officials to see if you are allowed to have wood roofs.

Q: What exactly is square packed?

A: This is a unit that gives plenty of shingles to cover certain areas.

Q: What exactly is the exposure line?

A: This happens to be an imaginary line that is drawn on a shake that is the distance above the butt that is equal to the weather exposure.

Q: What exactly is the defensible space?

A: This happens to be a concept that was made by the NFPA Firewise program. It gives information about the challenges of living around intermix/interface wildfires, and how to protect your homes from fires.

Q: What do the classifications for treatments mean?

A: The various classifications are referring to the amount of fire retardant in the wood.

Q: Is cedar considered rot resistant?

A: It isn’t actually fully resistant, but it does have some natural elements that prevent it from decaying like other woods.

Q: Are living trees being cut down to get shakes?

A: Most often, the old growth cedar will come from trees that are left behind from a prior harvest or downed in storms. Since cedar has a resistance to decay, the trees that are left on the ground can be used. Second growth cedar is then used for decking material, firewood, siding and lumber.

Q: Will environmentalists bang on my door for having a wood roof?

A: No, unless they haven’t done their research. Wood is considered a renewable resource unlike other roofing materials.

Q: What type of maintenance chemicals need to be avoided?

A: Anything that contains alkaline based chemicals that include bleaches and silicate.