Cedar Shake Roofing Installation

What Is Cedar Shake Roofing?

Cedar shake roofing from Imperial Shake Company is made from natural cedar wood, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing roof that looks great on just about every type of home. To make these shakes, large cedar trees are cut into 2-foot sections and either hand-split or cut into a tapered thickness. This is also known as taper-sawn shakes. There spacing is an art to hailing new shakes, varying widths of shakes, and looking for odd shakes to eliminate.

Hand-split shingles give your roof a more rugged, rustic look, while taper-sawn shingles have a smoother edge for a cleaner look. In most cases, cedar shake shakes are cut to order, so you will likely have to wait for a few weeks for them to be ready. Keep that in mind as you plan your roof replacement project.

There in one primary tree species we use in the production of cedar shake roofing, Western Red Cedar. 

Western Red Cedar: Western Red Cedar is also native to Washington state and parts of British Columbia. It has a beautiful reddish-brown appearance and is a lightweight yet strong material.

As mentioned above, cedar shake roofing tends to be a bit more expensive than some other materials. The total cost of your project will largely depend on the following factors: 

• The type of cedar shake you choose
• The size and complexity of your roof design
• The amount of labor and time it takes to install the roof
• The accessibility of your roof
• The amount of existing damage to your roof
• The cedar shake roof company that you hire for the job
• The number of penetrations your roof has

Not all wood shingles are created equally. Wood shingles tend to have a more uniform look, because of the way they are manufactured. Cedar shake shingles, on the other hand, have a more rustic appearance since they are handmade. 

However, as we mentioned above, whether you choose hand-split or taper-sawn, cedar shake shingles will also make a difference in the appearance of your new roof. There’s truly something that will appeal to every homeowner. Not only does cedar compare to other wood shingles, it also has many benefits over composite shingles.

If you want to prevent the need for cedar shake roof repair services, proper maintenance is key. We recommend scheduling regular maintenance services and roof inspections with our team to help you get the most out of your cedar shake roof. Since cedar shakes are more vulnerable to water damage than other roofing materials, regular inspections help you catch potential issues before they become more serious. 

We also recommend clearing off your roof and cleaning out your gutters to help extend your roof’s lifespan. When you let wet leaves sit on your cedar shake shingles for too long, it can cause them to decay and speed up the need for a replacement.