Are you a big fan of the cedar or pine shake roofs?Some houses just call out for a wood shake roof and it's always an option. There are some things to consider if you've already got a wood roof or you're thinking of switching over to wood shakes.
Some areas, due to the fire hazard, do not allow a wooden roof to be installed. Some may have codes that allow the repair or replacement on an existing house but not a switch to wood from another material.
Check with your local permitting office to find out what the regulations are for your area. Also, check with your insurance company - they don't like wood roofs and are making it harder and harder for homeowners to have them. You may be required to treat the wood roof with a fire retardant system.
Wood installations can cost a lot more than a regular asphalt install. If you get a great price on a wood roof installation, you might not end up with a quality job and the roof will more than likely not last as long as it should have. Be wary of a low-ball bid with this kind of installation. Also, wood shakes do not last as long as most other roofing materials. They tend to crack, curl up, or will lift up off the roof.
Make sure your roofing installer uses stainless steel nails. The nails are exposed to the elements and you don't want them to rust, no matter what your climate is like.
The wood shake roof requires a lot of maintenance to keep it healthy. Treating and regular sealing is required to make sure the wood doesn't split or rot. Dramatic changes in weather can make the wood contract and expand. It's a good idea to get regular inspections from a pro to make sure there are no leaks or damaged shakes. UV light also does a lot of damage to the wood.
Finally, for the disdvantages of a wood shake roof - it's not very environmentally-friendly. A wood roof is made up of materials from very large and very old trees. And they're not easy to replace. Because the wood has been treated and chemicals used to protect the wood, the shakes are not able to be recycled and be used for other purposes.However, a cedar or pine shake roof is a thing to behold. Wood roofs have such an aesthetic appeal - a natural wood color with shakes in a variety of sizes and thickness choices make it a beautiful look for a home. The wood ages with time into a gray shade. Since there are so many choices and all wood ages differently, no two roofs are alike.
It looks so much better than an asphalt or metal roof. There are even companies out there making synthetic woods and composite materials to try and mimic the wood shake roof, but those products really haven't been tested.
The wood shake roof is also a great insulator for your home. It even allows the movement of air through your roofing system to keep moisture levels down.
There are a lot of disadvantages to having a wood shake roof so it's important to talk with a wood shake roof company if it's right for your home. You can find several roofing pros in your neighborhood by posting your project - for free - with ConstructionDeal.com. We'll match you up and have them contact you, which saves you time. Having several bids will save you money, too. Make sure you get references on any wood shake contractor because you want a perfect and professional job to make sure the roof lasts as long as possible.
1 comment:
This article is largely inaccurate and misleading and tends to a generally accepted public stance. Please do more research before releasing such an article. As a wooden roof maintenance technician for the past 23 years, and company history that spans back to the 1800's, I can say that the difference is experience. A clear understanding of what works as wood preservatives for other applications may not apply for a wooden roof, and vis-versa. I.e. painting or staining or water sealing a wooden roof will take years off the expected lifespan. If a wooden roof is installed properly and maintained, it can last many times the manufacturer's warranty (this means a wooden roof can last for close to a century. Trees cut for shakes are very green due to the fact that they will degrade in our landfills unlike competing products. Wood is renewable and reforestation efforts are such that more trees are being planted than are being cut.
There was a time during our history that building techniques changed. Many roofs during this era were installed without regard to these new techniques. Then, water sealers were used to preserve the shakes. Standards have been adjusted and improved upon by efforts of the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau in B.C. Canada and other organizations. Additionally, you will save approximately 20% on your heating and cooling costs on average. As far as fire retardants, these have become very effective as well.
The benefits of using wood shakes or shingles are endless.
Shake Savers
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