Advantages of Weathered Cedar Shingles and Shakes
Cedar Shakes and Shingles have several advantages, including aesthetics, durability, and insulation. When aged, their gray tone offers your roof an even more distinctive appearance that complements a variety of architectural types.
What is the Difference Between Weathered Cedar Shingles and Shakes, and New Wood Shake and Shingles?
Weathered Cedar Shingles and Shakes are precisely what their name implies: Weathered Cedar Shingles. When exposed to sunlight and moisture, weathering occurs naturally.
Wood shingles and shakes, which are typically constructed of cedar but are also available in various other woods such as Southern Pine and Redwood.
Along with Cedar, both these other kinds of wood can be utilized for a variety of purposes.
For hundreds of years, wood has been the preferred roofing material, and it continues to be so today. They’re ideal for people looking for a cost-effective approach to show their home’s unique personality on the outside. True wood shake/shingles have the following benefits:
- They’re stunning. Weathered Cedar Shingles have a natural beauty that synthetic products cannot match.
- They keep their original proportions. Cedar is a low-density wood with little shrinking and the ability to maintain its original dimensions in humid areas.
- The installations are long-lasting. Cedar shake/shingles are long-lasting because they lay flat, keep straight, and hold their fastenings well.
- They are extremely resistant to the elements. Natural preservatives in cedar wood shingles help it resist moisture, insect damage, and UV radiation. It also has a lower moss development rate than many other types of roofing materials. Cedar shake/shingles can also be treated to prevent fire and fungal growth, as well as bug and moss infestations even when weathered.
- They’re straightforward to work with. Lightweight, long lengths of cedar wood shingles with straight, fine grains and homogeneous textures make up cedar shingles and shakes. These characteristics make it simple to saw, cut, and nail cedar shingles.
- They can be finished in a variety of ways. Paint and solid coatings, as well as stains and fine oils, can be applied on cedar shingles and shakes. The most effective way to apply these finishes is at the mill when they are cut. You can extend the life of your shingles while also making your roof look brand new by staining them.
- They’re powerful. Cedar is one of the hardest woods on the planet, therefore it will assist strengthen the structural integrity of your roof.
- They provide insulation. Cedar is naturally insulating, which means it will keep cool air inside during the summer and warm air inside during the winter. This will make your home more pleasant while also saving money on heating and cooling. It has twice the insulating value of asphalt shingles.
- They add to the curb appeal of your home. Weathered Cedar shingles and shakes have many functional benefits, but they also have a natural, timeless aesthetic that will improve your home’s curb appeal. The color of weathered cedar shingles and shakes is a distinctive grayish silver.
- They have a lengthy lifespan. Cedar has a 40- to 60-year lifespan, which is significantly longer than asphalt shingles, making it cost-competitive with asphalt shingles over time.
- They’re also good for the environment. Salvaged trees, or trees that have fallen over due to a storm or old age, are frequently used to make cedar shingles and shakes. When the shingles and shakes have outlived their usefulness, they can be recycled into mulch, compost, and wood chips.
What is Cedar Weathering and How Does it Work?
“Weathering” is a natural process that occurs when wood is exposed to the weather for an extended period and undergoes a variety of chemical and physical changes.
Some people mistakenly believe that weathering and deterioration are the same thing, although the two are not. When moss or fungi grow on the surface of the wood, it decays. This happens when the moisture level of the wood is very high.
The principal component that causes changes on the wood’s surface throughout the weathering process is sunshine. Wind, dampness, heat, cold, and abrasion caused by particles pushed by the wind are all possible additional factors. The sun, on the other hand, is the principal source of wood deterioration.
The ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of sunlight has the most impact on the wood’s surface, and after just a few days of bright weather, a photochemical reaction will begin to modify the wood’s outer layer. The UV spectrum of sunlight has enough energy to break down and affect the structure of wood, which is why, if you wish to paint your siding, you must do so shortly after it’s placed.
The weathering process does not proceed at a consistent rate after it has begun. The chemical changes that occur in the wood act as a natural preservative, extending the life of the wood. Although the grain structure of some types of wood may prevent this, wood with tight grains should be able to withstand the elements for many years.
Cedar shingles and shakes are organic in nature and therefore need to be maintained. On average, they should be cleaned about every 7 to 10 years. This is subjective to the region and climate.
