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No Substitute for the Natural Beauty of Wooden Roof Shingles and Shakes

http://www.decor-ideas.org 08/02/2015 22:13 Decor Ideas 

Natural wood is not the popular roof material choice it once was, thanks to the proliferation of asphalt, composition, and concrete roof tiles. But for some there is simply no substitute. Wood can be faked but never perfectly replicated. Like the inhabitants it keeps dry, wood roofs age with the passage of time, turning a silvery gray under the sun. If you live in North America, this is likely the roof material of your childhood home (or at least your parents’), and is the ideal choice for many traditional home styles.

Here we review wood shingles and shakes, looking at the pros and cons of selecting a wood roof for your home.

Traditional Exterior by Tom Meaney Architect, AIA
The Material

We are talking about trees here, and since a roof must withstand the worst of nature’s onslaughts, only the heartiest of species will suffice. Western red cedar is the most commonly utilized wood for shingles and shakes in North America. California redwood and cypress are also readily available, while pine shingles are offered in some regions. These wood types all have a superior resistance to decay plus other characteristics related to ease of installation and appearance, making them superior wood material options for roofs.

Originally, wood shakes were hand split with an axe, cut from log sections taken down from a local forest. In the early 19th century, shingle mills began mass producing uniform shingles, and with the lowered cost and increased production, wood became the predominant roof material used in many regions of North America.

Today there are more affordable options, but wood shingles and shakes retain a historical charm, making them the authentic roofing choice for many home styles.

Traditional Landscape by Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors
Cost

Installed wood shingles go for about $500 to $900 per roofer’s square (a roofer’s square equals 100 square feet of roofing). A shake roof will typically cost $700 to $1,200 per roofer’s square installed. Other factors affecting the cost include the region, the roof’s pitch and architectural details, and the material selected.

An asphalt roof can be installed for as little as $200 per roofer’s square, so the cost of installing a natural wood shingle or shake roof is more than twice that for asphalt shingles, and possibly much more. The cost of wood roofs is close to the cost of concrete tile roofs, and considerably less than authentic clay or slate tile roofs.

Contemporary Entry by Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd
Options

Wood shingles and shakes turn gray with the passage of time, and the plethora of options in asphalt roofs and concrete roofs is not matched here. Some of the charm of a natural wooden roof is universal to wood shingles and shakes, but there are some important options to consider.

Shingles are machine-cut smooth on both sides with a taper, and available in 16-inch to 24-inch lengths. Shakes are thicker, and are either hand-split, quarter-sawn or taper-sawn. The split and quarter-sawn varieties have a significantly rougher and more rustic appearance than either shingles or taper-sawn shakes.

There are also differences in cost and quality between manufacturers, and variations in grade. For instance, the premium, grade-A (some call them grade-1) shingles will have an edge grain and no defects, whereas in lower grades, flat-grain cuts are used and some defects are visible.

The highest-grade material available is advisable for roofs, and you might also consider specific cut shapes for shingles, which can add architectural flair.

Beach Style Exterior by Patrick Ahearn Architect
Cedar shingles. The naturally graying shingles shown here are easy on the eyes, complementing this gambrel-style home in subtle tones.

Traditional Exterior by Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home
Cedar shakes. The cedar shakes seen here are beefier and more rustic than shingles, adding weight and authenticity to this Nantucket, Massachusetts, abode.

Rustic Exterior by Wright Design
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 roofsStrong resistance to wind and hailRenewable resource

Midcentury Exterior by Design Platform
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.

Traditional Exterior by Kerrie L. Kelly
The architectural styles that work with wood shingle and shake roofs seem to have a homey, livable appeal, perfectly fitting the nostalgic qualities of a naturally graying material that can blend in with the landscape.

Up next. We’ll review another romantic, premium roof material. Clay tiles are an ancient roof material still commonly used today, and are the ideal choice for many old-world home styles.

See more roof material options: Slate | Metal | Asphalt | Concrete

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Category:Interior
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