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Wood Shake Roofs

Roofs with wood shingles are a thing of beauty. They have a pleasing look that gives your home a lot of character. Due to the nature of wood no two roofs will look the same. Wood allows the house to breathe and also helps to insulate the attic. The appearance of a wooden roof is beyond compare to many.

Material description

Wood shakes and wood shingles are manufactured from western red cedar, cypress, pine and redwood trees. Shakes are split from logs and reshaped by manufacturers for commercial use. They are thicker at the butt end than shingles; generally one or both surfaces are split to obtain a textured effect. A split and resawn shake has a split face and sawn back. A taper sawn shake has a natural taper and is sawn on both sides. Wood shingles are sawn on both sides and have an even taper and uniform thickness. When applied to shingles, the industry terms "Perfection" and "Royal" mean 18 inch and 24 inch lengths, respectively.

Cedar shakes and cedar shingles are available pressure treated with fire retardants and chemical preservatives for increased fire resistance and to prevent premature rot and decay in some climates.

Pine shakes are made from southern yellow pine and are taper sawn. They also are available pressure treated with preservatives to protect against decay and insects. Interlayment felts are required for pine shakes.

Roof deck

Wood roof systems may be applied over continuously or closely spaced wood decking or over a spaced, sometimes referred to as "skipped," sheathing. Solid roof decking or sheathing should be used in areas of the roof deck where an ice dam protection membrane is required. Some city codes do not allow the skipped sheathing. ARCM Roofing will determine wether your city will allow for the re-installation of Wood Shake Shingles. If Wood Shake shingles are not allowed, ARCM Roofing will give you beautiful alternatives to your wood shake roof.

Identifying Storm Damage or Old Age

Wood shingles can last between 15 and 40 years. Their durability depends on your climate, their exposure to the weather, and the slope of your roof. As a rule, the steeper the roof, the longer the material will last because rain won’t pool and ice and snow won’t accumulate. If your roof is leaking, or you suspect you have cracked or damaged shingles caused by a recent severe storm, call ARCM Roofing to schedule a free roof inspection. The inspector will check your roof for curled, broken, or split shingles. Wind and rain can erode shingles and cause them to lift from the roof. If needed ARCM Roofing Inspectors will also go into your attic and look for signs of water—either dampness or stains. If only a few shingles are damaged, you will be given a free estimate for repair or replacement of them. Don’t attempt to inspect your roof on your own if it is steeply pitched or when it’s raining. ARCM Roofing will perform the inspection and give you an estimate for repair at no cost or obligation.

Why Consider an Alternative to your Wood Shake Roof

Though wood shake roofs aren't one of the more popular roofing materials, they are much more commonplace in mountainous regions. That's because wood shake roofs give homes a very certain look. Homes in the mountains blend in with their surroundings better when the roofs are made of wood. Of course there is an obvious down side to wood shake roofs. Wood is flammable. Wood shake roofs are much more susceptible to wind-driven embers. Typically, wood shake roofs are coated with fire-resistant chemicals. Over time these chemicals wash off and lose their effectiveness. Over time wood shake roofs are also more susceptible to rot and pests. A wood shake roof can serve you well, but only if it is well maintained. And a wood shake roof is among the hardest to keep maintained. Fortunately, there is an alternative for homeowners who wish to keep that natural, rustic look of a wood shake roof without the hassle. Polymer roofing tiles Polymer roofing tiles are a type of synthetic shingle. Essentially, they are manufactured to look just like wood shakes but without the drawbacks. For one, polymer roofing tiles have a class A fire rating. They simply won't catch fire. And unlike wood shake roofs which require periodic retreatment with fire-retardant chemicals, polymer roofing tiles retain their class A fire rating for the entire duration of their lifespan. Fire isn't the only thing polymer roofing tiles are impervious to. Temperatures can drop very low in the mountains and polymer tiles aren't susceptible to freeze/thaw cycles that can damage other roofs such as wood shake roofs. The polymer tiles don't expand and contract when the temperatures freeze and thaw. Polymer roofs are also impact resistant and maintenance free. They are even resistant to color fade which can lessen the appearance of other roofs over time. Whether you're replacing an old wood shake roof that has worn out or simply considering having a wood shake roof installed, don't rule out polymer roofing tiles. They can give you the natural look you want for your home without giving you the problems that normally come along with it.

Pros of Wood Shingles and Shakes

Authentic and attractive material that fits a variety of historical architectural styles, such as Victorian, Cape Cod, Colonial and Craftsman.

Durable (you can walk on a wood shingle roof without fear of damage):

Better insulation value than asphalt roofs

Strong resistance to wind and hail

Renewable resource

Cons of Wood Shingles and Shakes

Expensive compared to asphalt roofs.

Though fire-retardant chemicals can be added to shingles and shakes, the result will still be a poor fire rating compared to other roof materials.

To prevent mold, moss and mildew growth, regular inspections and maintenance are suggested.

*Before replacing your Wood Shake Roof with wood shake shingles, call ARCM Roofing to verify if your city code will allow the re installation. In some counties and cities wood shake shingles are not allowed because they have a C Fire class rating. If you are experiencing leaking please call ARCM to inspect the roof for the possible replacement or repair of your roofing system.*

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACING YOUR WOOD SHAKE SHINGLE, PLEASE VISIT OUR TILE ROOFING PAGE.