Moss growth on a wooden shake roof in a shaded area. A person with carpentry skills could do the job, though a professional installer would handle all the facets of the project far more efficiently, while also being properly-equipped and insured. Important Notes: Pressure Impregnated Treated Shakes and Shingles Underdriving or overdriving any fastener will affect the integrity of the roofing system. Mold growing on wooden shakes. Now that we know wooden shingles are smoother, easier to install, and more affordable than their rougher and tougher shake counterparts, let’s figure out which option better suits your roof. Wood shingles are sawn on both broad sides from the wood, making smoother, more refined surfaces. Moisture cycles also cause wood to repeatedly shrink and expand, which stresses shingles and shakes to the point of warping and splitting, further reducing the span of their useful life. In turn, you should check with your jurisdiction’s regulations before choosing wood shakes or shingles. The difference is the way in which each one is manufactured. In Northwest U.S. regions, locally sourced Redwood can prove a worthwhile option for its superior strength over cedar roofing materials. Image source: Custom Shingles. They have a flat profile that creates a more uniform pattern across a roof, not unlike asphalt shingles. Wood shingles are thin, tapered pieces of wood primarily used to cover roofs and walls of buildings to protect them from the weather. Pros of wood shingles and shakes: Wood is the material that provides natural beauty. Wood shakes are typically sawn on one side and hand split on the other side, making them thicker than wood shingles. To reduce the natural flammability of wood products, cedar product manufacturers provide shakes and shingles impregnated with fire-retardant polymers. Not only will these unsightly growths tarnish the appearance of your roof, but they rot the wood. Due to being hand-cut the appearance is rustic. You won’t be able to tell by looking at them whether wood roofs have been treated with a fire-retardant or preservative. Tapershawn shakes, visually, look like a hybrid between shake and shingle. CCA treatment, one such popular treatment for cedar products, infuses the wood with a preservative that deters fungal decay and termites – common threats to wooden building materials. Both are wedge shaped and are affixed individually to an underdeck. In terms of appearance, wood shake provides a thick textured appearance and gives a roof beautiful depth and dimension. Being sawn, shingles exhibit some cross grain due to cutting, whereas shakes, being split, follow the grain more closely. They are flat on both sides, which means they sit flush on the roofing surface and neatly accommodate overlapping shingles for an effective seal. Apart from the breadth of the materials, the quality of installation makes or breaks the capabilities of a roof. A thicker roofing material also resists punctures better than thin ones. Whether you pick shingles or shakes, a wooden roof elicits an unparalleled charm that can take the curb appeal of your home to new heights. Los Angeles, on the other hand, bans wood roofing altogether without approval as even Class A rated wood poses a fire risk. If you live in an especially wet or humid climate, keep in mind wooden roofing may not last as long as its prescribed lifespan. Image source: Inspirational Village. Expected Life Span. Typical cost factors for roof replacements include who you choose to install and the complexity and pitch of your roof. Shingles have a smooth uniform look that spans the entire roof surface, while wood shakes have a more rugged appearance, with each piece looking a little different than the rest. You can expect to pay more for higher quality cuts, with edge grain costing the most. Synthetic shakes have been made of asphalt, metal, cement, rubber, and plastics that are marketed as maintenance free, fire rated, and impact resistant. Shop wood siding shingles and a variety of building supplies products online at Lowes.com. Shingle Species. Long ago, a wood roof shingle was sawn from a block of wood, while a wood shake roof was split off with a sharp blade or mallet. Asphalt shingles are a popular type of roofing shingles, but when you want something that stands out, consider tile or wood shake. At the end of the day, you will end up with a stylish, energy-efficient, and sustainable roofing system whether you go wooden shingle or wooden shake. A cedar shake roof will therefore cost anywhere from $10,319 to $17,527 on an average 1,700 square foot roof. Tapersawn shakes are really a hybrid of wood shingles and wood shakes. While wooden shingles also deliver a welcome sensation of individuality, their flat profile sends a less aggressively different message than shakes that arguably suits a broader range of tastes. Vinyl shakes usually come in panels vs. individual shingles for wood so vinyl is also easier to install. Wood Shingles vs. Wood Shakes Many people use the terms “shingles” and “shakes” interchangeably, but the reality is that wood shakes and shingles are not the same. To indicate the grain and overall quality of cedar products, the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau provides stringent grades for bundles of shakes and shingles. This is by far the most popular choice for wood shakes… If shakes still lie on the table after assessing how much you want to spend, consult your home’s architectural design and the surrounding environment to make sure you pick the correct style. Shake or shingle roofs also make use of wood, a renewable material, while alternative roofing materials, such as asphalt singles or steel, require large inputs of non-renewable energy for their production. Wood shingles are sawn on both sides and are thinner at the butt end when compared to a shake. Our buyer's guide will help determine what type of slate roof is right for you. The higher price of shakes largely stems from the more involved manufacturing and installation processes. Wooden shingles are thinner and therefore less insulative and durable than wooden shakes. For years the roofing industry has been trying to create a composite shake that has the appearance of natural wood and is low maintenance, fire rated, impact resistant, and long lasting. Notice the pronounced shadow lines of these taper sawn wooden shakes. Learn more today! You can have damaged shakes and shingles replaced as needed. If you’re not fond of how the salmon-brownish hues of Western Red Cedar or Redwood contrast with your home, perhaps the pale yellow of Eastern White Cedar, which weathers to a gray with age, will better suit your tastes. Another method entails splitting shakes then sawing one broad side. Image source: Sandura Tropical Shingles. Wood shingles are also typically machine-made, whereas wood sha… Heavy hand split cedar shakes are the most durable type of wood roofing because they offer the thickest amount of protection to protect against hail, UV sunlight, heavy rain, and wind. However, as with any big-ticket renovation, we think you should consider the limitations of wood as a layer of protection for your homes and weigh your options. Fire-retardant treated wood alone can deliver up to a Class B fire rating. Arguably no roofing material brings out more emotions than wood. Handsplit and resawn shakes have irregular surfaces. Wood Shingles. That is because they are thicker so more material is used, and they are more challenging to install for a roofing contractor. Beyond common options like cedar, some manufacturers specialize in rugged, long-lasting, and significantly more expensive hardwoods like Wallaba. This is due to the varying grain patterns, ridges, and grooves that occur during the splitting process. Combine this with their greater affordability, and shingles strike a superior balance of style and economy. A steep-sloped multi-story home with penetrations like chimneys and skylights will warrant a more expensive bill than a basic one-story home. This type of shake preserves the inherently ridged surface of the grain, cultivating even deeper shadow lines and an authentic, rugged appearance. Wood shakes on the other hand are hand-cut directly from wood blocks. Image source: A.B. For these reasons, we recommend a wood shingle roof. Cedar shakes are a type of wood roofing that has been split on both or one side – taken from the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau guidelines. Between a wood shake roof vs shingles, shake roofing thickness varies from 1/2″ and 5/8″. Wallaba shakes on a cottage-style home. Class A, the highest rating available, requires a fire-retardant underlayment in combination with Class B rated product. The most durable type of wood roofing material is heavy hand split cedar shakes, often referred to as heavy 3/4” inch cedar shakes. Learn more about the pros, cons, and if they're worth buying from our comprehensive guide. In regions prone to wildfires like California’s very high fire hazard severity zones, you may need Class A fire rated wooden shingles and shakes to comply with building codes. This makes wood shakes noticeably thicker than wood shingles. The performance, as in the insulation, protection, and longevity of a wood roof, boils down to a variety of factors such as the species of tree, the quality of the wood, and regional climate. (For more on shakes and shingles, see “What’s the Difference?” in FHB #185 or at FineHomebuilding.com.) As there are more opportunities for installation to go wrong with a wooden shake roof, the competence of the installer plays a larger role in performance over shingles. Whether you seek to ensure your upcoming wood roof renovation matches the distinct personality of your home, want to brush up on your carpentry knowledge, or you simply must know whether shingles or shakes are better, this article has you covered. Image source: Best West Roofing. In general, a shingle is sawn on both sides and is thinner at the butt than a shake. Wooden shingles boast clean lines and have a relatively flat profile. Architects and home designers typically say wooden shingles and wooden shakes both complement traditionally styled homes like Cap Cod, Tudor, and cottages while the rustic aura shakes work particularly well for homes immersed in nature. Image source: Architectural Designs. Design conventions aside, remember that most residential roofs in the United States consist of one-dimensional asphalt shingles. Installation method for cedar shingles and shakes, is the same. Shake and Shingle Types . A bundle of Number 1 Grade, Blue Label shingles, for instance, will consist entirely of crème de la crème edge grain heartwood. In regions that see wind-driven snow and seismic activity, the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau recommends solid sheathing underneath shingles and shakes, which may warrant greater costs. This treatment is particularly effective for preserving wooden roofs in wet and shady climates susceptible to fungal growth. While traditional wood shingles are sawn on both sides, wood shakes are typically sawn on one side and hand split on the other side. TAPERSAWN SHAKES: In the instance of tapersawn shakes, the wood is sawn on both sides, giving it the appearance of a thick shingle vs. a true shake. At $6.07 to $10.31 per square foot to install, cedar wooden shakes cost more than shingles. Historically shingles were split from straight grained, knot free bolts of wood. For the same reason, shingles are more uniform than shakes. And since a shake is split, it follows the grain more closely than a shingle, which has some cross graining. While wooden shingles also deliver a welcome sensation of individuality, their flat profile sends a less aggressively different message than shakes that arguably suits a broader range of tastes. In turn, you should cut trees and overhanging branches to allow the sun to evenly dry your roof, which prevents warping. The 3/4” inch refers to the butt end of the shake being 3/4” inches thick. Image source: Hadar Guibara. 50 plus years ago wood shingles were sawn from a block of wood, while wood shakes were split off using a sharp blade or mallet. Wood shingles are sawn on both sides, making them appear uniform and smooth. Cape Cod-style home with cedar shingle roofing. Costs are virtually the same, varying only on wood quality and additional building materials. Wood Shakes. Do not use electro galvanized (EG) fasteners. Wood shingles costs between $400 and $700 per square installed, while a shake roof runs between $600 and $900—that’s three or six times the cost of an asphalt roof! Click here to watch our sample request video so you know what to expect when your samples arrive. Both wood shakes and wood shingles are manufactured from western red cedar, cypress, pine, and redwood trees. When properly maintained, cedar shingles can last beyond 30 years, while cedar shakes can last anywhere from 40 to 50 years. If this attitude resonates with you, make sure to team up with a trusted installer so you can enjoy the enchanting allure of your wood roof for as long as possible. Wood shingles are much more uniform in appearance, they have a smooth, flat appearance. Fasteners utilized must be specific for use with wood shakes and shingles … For wood, the species, quality of cut, and treatments will influence pricing regardless of whether you pick shingles or shakes. Wooden shakes require felt interlayment between each row of shakes. Different tree species translate to different colors, textures, qualities, and costs. Tapersawn wood shakes are sawn on both sides for a semi-textured look with a stronger shadowline than a wood shingle. The most expensive option for shingling a roof is wood shakes — between $7.50 to $12.50 per square … So in terms of appearance differences, wood shakes are thicker than shingles. In terms of price, shakes are generally more expensive than shingles. Are you considering a slate roof for your home? With adequate installation and proper maintenance a quality wood shakes roof have longer lifespan compare to budget friendly asphalt shingles which still tends to be much more popular roofing material. There is also the warranty aspect to consider on both, product and service.Cedar shingl… The process results in a shingle that is tapered on all sides. 3. Wood shake and shingle roofs are more resilient than many people may realize. Wood shake refers to wood roofing material that is created by splitting thin rectangles from a wooden log. Find wood siding shingles at Lowe's today. Cedar shakes on a cabin-style home. For an average 1,700 square foot roof, a full cedar shingle roof will run you anywhere from $9,911 to $16,592. Shakes. Wood shakes have a rugged appearance, with each piece looking a bit different than the rest. Wood shakes also have uneven surfaces, while shingles … Once you arrive at your decision to go shingle or shake, you should take the following into account before you get the ball rolling on your wood roofing project. View fullsize. Wooden shakes are manufactured in two different ways, both of which produce a rougher look than shingles. Click here to watch our sample request video so you know what to expect when your samples arrive. There are two types of wood roofing materials – wood shake and wood shingles. Both wood shakes and asphalt shingles typically last about 20 to 30 years with … Apart from keeping your roof dry, you will also want to make sure your shakes or shingles show no signs of cracking – avenues for water to penetrate your roof. Image source: Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau. Moisture tends to accumulate in the cool shady areas of a roof. Interested in IKO shingles for your roof? For instance, Western Red Cedar is among the most abundant trees and splits easily, making it one of the most affordable options to use for wooden roofing. Map of San Diego County showing very high fire hazard severity zones in red, where Class A rated roofing is required. Wood Shakes or Shingles? Cedar shingle installation. For many homeowners, the beauty of wood alone compensates for the drawbacks. This leaves gaps between and under shakes where wind-driven precipitation and debris can infiltrate. The shakes are thicker than shingles and due to this shakes are more expensive than shingles. Edward Enterprises. A fire-safe roofing material like CeDUR roofing shakes are in high demand in mountain communities and homeowners looking for the beautiful rustic wood look. 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