A cedar shake roof is an attractive alternative to the same old asphalt shingle roof that is seen on so many homes and buildings.
When professionally installed by cedar shake roof contractors experienced with this material, cedar offers many advantages that make it an appealing choice.
Yet the most important factor for having a functional, long-lasting cedar roof is choosing cedar roofing contractors who know the correct way to install it.
The right contractor, one who is aware of these details, can make the difference between getting a full life out of a cedar shake roof or ending up with problems.
1. There Are Three Grades of Cedar Shakes
A critical factor to understand about cedar shakes so you know what to expect when installing this roofing option is that there are three different grades:
- Common Grade - These are the least expensive shakes, but also least perfect, made from various parts of the tree. Common grade shakes may split and warp over their lifetime and require individual replacement.
- Select Grade - More expensive than common grade, select grade shakes are batches made mostly from the higher quality cuts of wood from the tree, though there could be a few lesser-quality shakes in the mix. An experienced cedar shake roof contractor can tell the difference and should be able to go through the batches beforehand to remove the bad ones first.
- 100% Straight Grade - Premium bundles of shakes made from 100% straight wood that will lay straight and is much less likely to warp or split over its lifetime.
2. Cedar Needs To Acclimate Before Installation
Cedar shakes will expand and contract depending on the humidity.
To account for this, cedar shake roof services know to allow a supply of fresh cedar roofing material to acclimate for some time before installing it.
Failing to give the shakes a chance to acclimate as they fully harden and adapt to your specific location could cause them to misalign and become damaged once installed.
3. Cedar Installation Requires Specific Tools and Nails
Cedar may be a strong and beautiful hardwood; however, it can be easily damaged if installed using the wrong tools or wrong nails.
An experienced cedar shake roofing contractor will avoid using a nail gun, which can destroy the wood by pushing the nails too deep.
These shakes should also be installed with specific nails like stainless steel or galvanized nails, as plain steel or copper nails will corrode over time and stain the wood.
4. Proper Alignment of Cedar Shakes Is Critical
One of the challenges of doing a proper installation of cedar shakes is that each shake is put on individually and must be carefully aligned to prevent leaking.
To ensure your roof is perfectly done, always hire a cedar shake roofing service that has plenty of experience installing this material.
5. Proper Attic Ventilation Is Crucial For Cedar Shakes
Lastly, your cedar roof contractor should also do an inspection of the attic space to check the roof ventilation.
Without adequate ventilation, cedar shakes that get hot, absorb moisture, and swell will be unable to fully dry out.
Shakes that stay moist are less energy-efficient and they can deteriorate faster than those that can fully dry out due to proper attic ventilation.
The Key To A Great Cedar Shake Roof Is The Contractor
There are many reasons why a cedar shake roof is a great choice over the status quo of asphalt shingles.
As appealing and long-lasting as they are, cedar roofs do cost more, so it is critical that the right cedar shake roof contractor does the installation.
When choosing a cedar shake roofing contractor for your roof, look for one who has experience with this type of roofing and understands these important intricacies.
Your cedar roof will be beautiful, trouble-free, and last for a long time!