Roof Wood Shakes

Wood shingles are sawn lie flat on one another and are thinner and more uniform than wood shakes.

Roof wood shakes.

1 handsplit and resawn and 2 tapersawn. Featuring a reddish brown color that complements a variety of home designs these cedar wood shingles offer durability and an appealing look. They are thicker at the butt end than shingles. These versatile shingles are great for both commercial and residential use.

There are two main types. In harsh weather where freeze thaw cycles are common or in wet weather climates they may not last as long. Although asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material in the united states another type of roofing material the home inspector may encounter is wood shingles or wood shakes. Tapersawn wood shakes are sawn on both sides for a semi textured look with a stronger shadowline than a wood shingle.

Shakes are split from logs and reshaped by manufacturers for commercial use. You can choose heavy split and resawn shakes this design is where the back is sawn but the front is split in a method to show the natural wood. Handsplit and resawn shakes have the split face exposed with a naturally rustic appearance and are sawn on the back. A heavy split is perhaps the most rugged look you can find in shakes.

Generally one or both surfaces are split to obtain a textured effect. Wood shakes are thicker than wood shingles. These 25 year medium cedar roof shake shingles are energy star qualified to offer year round energy and money savings. A wood or composite shake roof can last around 30 years except pine which lasts around 20.

Wood shakes and wood shingles are manufactured from western red cedar cypress pine and redwood trees. Wood shakes can be split or sawn in multiple ways each of which leads to a unique look and feel.