There is no substitute for the natural beauty of wooden planks and shakes
This natural, renewable roofing option brings a weathered character and nostalgic charm to traditional style homes.
Natural wood is not a popular roofing material choice due to the proliferation of asphalt, synthetic
and concrete roof tiles. But for some, there is simply no substitute. Wood can be counterfeited, but
it cannot be perfectly reproduced. It stays as dry as its inhabitants, and its wooden roof ages over
time, turning silver-gray in the sun. If you live in North America, it’s likely the roofing material
for your childhood home or at least your parents’ house and is an ideal choice for many traditional
home styles.
Here we review wood shingles and shingles and look at the pros and cons of choosing a wood roof
for your home.
Ingredient
We’re talking about wood here, and since the roof has to withstand the worst of nature’s onslaughts,
only the hardiest species will suffice. Western Red Cedar is the most commonly used wood for
shingles and shakes in North America. California redwood and cypress are also readily available,
and pine shingles are also offered in some areas. All of these wood types have good resistance to
rot, ease of installation, and other qualities related to appearance, making them excellent wood
material options for roofing.
The original tree shakes were split by hand with an ax from sections of logs cut from local forests.
In the early 19th century, shingle mills began mass-producing uniform shingles, and as costs fell
and production increased, wood became the dominant roofing material used in much of North
America.
Although there are cheaper options today, wood shingles and shakes retain their historic charm,
making them a true roofing choice for many home styles.
Expense
Installed wood shingles cost about $500 to $900 per roofer square (a roofer square equal 100 square feet of roof). Shake roofs typically cost $700 to $1,200 per installed roofer. Other factors that affect cost include area, pitch and construction details of the roof, and materials selected.
Asphalt roofers can be installed for as little as $200 per sq. roofer, so installing a natural wood
shingle or swing roof can cost more than twice as much as asphalt shingles, and can cost much
more. The cost of a wood roof is close to that of a concrete tile roof and much less than an authentic clay or slate tile roof.
Option
Wood shingles and shakes will gray over time, and the various options of asphalt and concrete
roofs are not suitable here. While some of the appeal of natural wood roofs is universal to wood
shingles and shakes, there are some important options to consider.
Shingles are machine cut on both sides with a taper and are available in lengths of 16 inches to 24
inches. Shakes are thicker and hand split, quarter sawed or taper sawed. The split and quarter-sawn
varieties have a much rougher, more rustic appearance than shingles or taper-sawn shakes.
Also, different manufacturers have different cost and quality, and different grades. For example,
premium grade A some say grade 1 shingles have edge grain and no imperfections, while lower
grades use a flat grain cut and show some imperfections.
The roof is recommended to be of the highest grade of material available, and the specific cut form
of the shingles can also be taken into account to add architectural flair.
Cedar shingles. Natural gray shingles, shown here, are easy on the eye and complement gambrel-
style homes with subtle tones.
The cedar trees sway. The cedar shakes seen here are thicker and more earthy than shingles,
adding weight and authenticity to this Nantucket, Massachusetts residence.
Most standard asphalt roofs have a life expectancy of 30 years, and some affordable types offer
upgrade options with 40- and 50-year warranties. Some product lines come with a limited lifetime
warranty.
Advantages of Wood Shingles and Shakes
- Authentic and attractive materials for a variety of historical architectural styles such as Victorian, cape cod, colonial and craftsman.
- Durability
- Better insulation performance than asphalt roof
- Strong resistance to wind and hail
- Renewable resource
Cons of Wood Shingles and Shakes
- They are expensive compared to asphalt roofs.
- Fire retardant chemicals can be added to shingles and shakes, but the result is still a lower fire rating compared to other roofing materials.
- Regular inspection and maintenance are recommended to prevent the growth of mold, moss and mildew.
The architectural style of wooden planks and swinging roofs has a homely, livable charm that
perfectly matches the nostalgic character of the natural gray materials that can blend in with the
landscape.
Next: Let’s take a look at another romantic premium roofing material. Clay tile is an ancient
roofing material that is still commonly used today and is an ideal choice for many old-world home
styles.
View more roofing material options: slate | metal | asphalt | concrete https://kdroofers.com/
Nitharsana
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