4 Things to Know About Shake Shingle Roofing
Replacing or upgrading your roof doesn't have to be boring or leave your home looking like every other house on the block. Modern roofing offers many options for achieving a customized look, including several high-end alternatives to traditional asphalt shingles. Shake shingle roofs are one such option, and they strike a balance between standard asphalt shingles and wooden shakes.
Shake shingle roofs, also known as shake-style roofs or synthetic cedar shake roofing, provide many of the aesthetic advantages of cedar shakes without the sometimes substantial downsides. If you're considering installing a shake shingle roof on your home, this article will discuss four critical facts you'll need to know.
1. Many Style Choices
Synthetic shake roofing comes in various styles, so your options won't be limited when you decide what you'd like for your home. While common options replicate the appearance of traditional cedar shake roofing, synthetic options are also available to imitate other wood types and even slate. If you want a particular look for your home, there's probably a shake shingle roof to meet your requirements.
In addition to different textures and styles, you'll also have plenty of color choices. In general, you can expect at least as much variety with shake shingle roofing as with natural cedar shakes. You can also expect more even wear and better color fastness compared to natural wood, which will help your home maintain the appearance you love.
2. More Control Than Natural Wood
The unique character of natural wood is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Manufacturers create natural cedar shakes by splitting wood, so every shake is uniquely textured and, to some degree, shaped. This characteristic can make your roof look unique, but some people find its non-uniform appearance unappealing.
Synthetic shake shingle roofing offers significantly more options for customizations. Manufacturers still provide varying shingle textures to help replicate the appearance of natural shakes, but you can achieve a more uniform look or even design your own custom patterns. If you like the appearance of natural wood but want more control over the final look of your roof, shake shingles may be an excellent option.
3. Similar Lifespan, Reduced Maintenance
Maintenance is one of the downsides to traditional cedar shakes (or any natural wood roofing material). Unlike asphalt shingle roofs, cedar requires more frequent inspections and cleaning to avoid rot, mold, and other issues. A poorly maintained cedar roof will degrade in quality and appearance and lead to leaks and premature failure.
While shake shingle roofs last for about as long as a traditional cedar roof, they require drastically less maintenance along the way. As a result, a synthetic shake roof will likely cost less to own while having a more reliable lifespan. Since you don't need to worry nearly as much about maintenance, you can be confident that your roof will last for as long as it should without constant attention.
4. Improved Fire Ratings
Natural cedar shakes are relatively durable materials, but they typically require special treatments or assemblies to meet higher fire rating classes. These roofing materials leave your home more vulnerable to fires and may not meet building codes in certain fire-prone areas. Purchasing specially treated natural wood shakes with a Class A rating will typically drive up your roofing project's cost.
On the other hand, some shake shingle roofing products are available with a Class A rating out of the box, without requiring additional installation steps. Since Class A is the highest possible fire rating for roofing materials, these products are suitable for use even in areas with high wildfire risks or similar threats.
Ludemann Construction LLC offers a variety of roofing products to fit your house, including shake shingle roofing. Give us a call today if you're ready to start discussing whether shake shingle roofing might make a great match for your needs.
