Learn all about one of the prettiest roofs you’ll ever see – cedar shake roofing.
For over 25 years, the Four Seasons Roofing team has been replacing many types of Seattle area roofs, including cedar shake. We understand what it takes to provide you with a new roof that will last for decades. You’ll never have to worry about your roof again if you deal with us.
A cedar shake roof is a high-end roof made from natural cedar wood. While it provides the same purposes as an asphalt or metal roof, it is one of the most visually appealing roofs you will come across.
The shingles are produced using cedar trees from the Pacific Northwest or Southwest Canada. They take 2-foot slabs of cedar wood and hand split or saw them into a tapered thickness (tapersawn). Hand split has a more rugged appearance, whereas tapersawn is much smoother.
Be warned that cedar shake manufacturers do not keep shingles in stock. Because they are produced to order, it may take 3 to 8 weeks to get the materials for your cedar shake roof.
What you should know about a cedar shake roof
1. There are three types of cedar shake shingles
- The common grade is the least expensive and perhaps most inferior of the three grades. They are cut at random and made from any section of the tree. These will be the first cedar shake shingles to split and distort.
- Selects is the next grade of cedar shake shingle. These shingles will be a combination of the two other grades, with around 80% straight grain and 20% commons. To find the best quality for your roof, your roofing contractor should hand sort the selects.
- The third grade is the top-quality straight grain cedar shake shingle. Each of them has been hand-selected for their straight-grain. When the grain is straight, the shingles lay flat and you don’t have to worry about them warping.
If you’re already planning on installing a new cedar shake roof. We believe spending the extra money to get 100% straight grain cedar shingles is worth it.
2. What is the lifespan of a cedar shake roof?
The lifespan of your roof is the number of years it will last. When you invest in a new roof, you expect it to last as long as possible.
As long as it’s installed correctly and with regular maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in high-quality materials and live in an appropriate climate, you could get up to 50 years out of it.
3. What warranty options are available for a cedar shake roof?
When you buy a new roof, you usually get two warranties. You’ll have one on the workmanship of the contractor and one from the manufacturer of your roofing supplies.
However, because cedar shake shingles are a natural product, there is no manufacturer warranty on the materials. Meaning you can only rely on your contractor’s workmanship warranty for your cedar shake roof.
Therefore finding a top-of-the-line local roofing contractor who stands behind their work is essential. A contractor’s workmanship warranty can be two years, five years, ten years, or even lifetime.
4. A cedar shake roof requires routine roof maintenance.
It’s essential to get your new cedar shake roof inspected on a regular basis. To ensure that your cedar shake roof lasts as long as possible, regular roof care should be done once or twice a year. Maintenance will detect any issues with your wooden shingles and prevent future leaks from damaging your home.
Four Seasons Knows Cedar Shake Roofing
Four Seasons Roofing has been providing high-quality roof replacements in the Puget Sound area for over 25 years. We’re experts in cedar shake roofing, and we’re here to help. Our workmanship ensures that the life of your new cedar shake roof is maximized. This is why we provide a lifetime warranty. Contact us today and let’s talk about your roofing project.