Cedar Shake Roof

When properly designed and installed, cedar shake roof systems are known for their longevity, performance, and beauty.

What is a Cedar Shake Roof?

Cedar shake roofs are made up of wooden shingles that are formed from split logs. Each shingle can vary in thickness and length, and this detail gives a wood shake roof a very distinctive look. When properly installed, shakes provide weather protection and a rustic appearance.

The term shake is often used to refer to all types of wood shingles. However, shingles are sawn rather than split. Traditional shake refers to the board on which the shingle is nailed, not the shingle itself. Split wooden shingles are known as shag shingles.

Whether swan or split, modern wooden shingles continue to be made but differ from traditional ones. Modern shakes are typically thicker than the historic hand-split type and are usually left with a rough, unfinished grain surface. While the rough-surface shake is often thought of as being more historic and rustic, they are a modern architectural design.

Benefits of a Cedar Shake Roof

The obvious advantage of a cedar shake roof is the aesthetic quality is adds to a home. It has a gorgeous and natural range of shades that include golds, reds, browns, and ambers. A cedar shake roof offers many practical benenfits as well.

• Natural insulation – Cedar has natural insulating properties. Therefore, it keeps your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Cedar roofing can significantly lower heating and air conditioning bills all year long.

• Durable – Cedar is known as one of the most robust and most durable types of woods. When cut into shingles, is doesn’t lose any of its durability. Investing in a cedar shake roof is a great way to ensure that your roof is structurally sound and strong.

• Long-Lasting – In addition to being robust and durable, a cedar roof will last throughout the seasons and all of the changes in humidity and weather that they bring. Even with the high humidity we experience during the summer months in Missouri, cedar roofing will maintain its original size and dimensions without significant expansion or shrinking. It also does an exceptional job of lying flat, remaining straight, and holding fastenings tightly. Cedar roofing is also full of natural preservatives that help it remain resistant to UV rays, insect infestation or damage, and moisture. It’s also naturally wind resistant, which is a benefit for areas that have frequent summer storms or gusty winter storms. Beyond these advantages, cedar roofing can be specially treated to resist fungus, pests, and fire.

Cedar Shake Roof Maintenance

Cedar shakes and shingles are more expensive than the average asphalt shingle; however, a cedar roof can outlive an asphalt roof by decades. Cedar is an organic type of roofing material and therefore requires a special kind of maintenance to ensure a long life span and continued durability.

When it comes to roofing maintenance, it’s neither exciting or straightforward. However, your roof does the toughest job of all the parts of your home and requires some love and attention from time to time, no matter what material it’s made of. To ensure that the job is done right, it is a good idea to hire professionals to inspect, clean, and treat your cedar roof. A professional roofing company will be able to spot damage that may be overlooked by an untrained eye and also be able to offer advice before other issues emerge.

A thorough inspection of your entire roof should be done before and after winter, especially if heavy snowstorms hit your area. General maintenance needs to be performed in the fall. When any kind of severe weather strikes, it’s a good idea to assess your roof, clean it, and have any necessary repairs done as soon as possible.

Cedar Shake Roof Installation and Maintenance

Duration Construction are the experts in the St. Louis area when it comes to roof repairs and entire roof replacements. Our elite roofing craftsmanship serves both the residential and commercial sectors of St. Louis, providing economical solutions to any number of roofing issues.

When you call Duration Construction for your roofing needs, our first visit with you is free, and we will offer you a no-obligation quote on the roofing work we will be providing. You will find that our prices are more than fair, especially considering the quality of craftsmanship we offer and our commitment to only using materials that are guaranteed to last.