Wood Shake

Real wooden shakes are made from split, straight-grained cedar. It is one of the oldest roofing materials and can give a traditional home an authenticity impossible to achieve any other way.

What’s the Difference Between a Wood Shake and a Wood Shingle?

Wood shakes have a slightly thicker forward edge that helps create natural variations. The natural irregularities of each shake give the roof unique patterns and contours that add to the rough-hewn charm of the entire roof.

Wood shingles are shakes that have been finished on both sides and squared for uniformity and taper. Each shingle has an identical thickness and, as a result, lie flatter. Plus they are easier to install, especially around chimneys and skylights. 

Why a Wood Shake Roof Might Work For You

• Longevity. Wood shakes require expert installation and should be sourced from high-quality vendors. With proper maintenance and under normal conditions, wood shakes could last you up to 40 years.
• Resistant. Cedar wood shingles and shakes are resistant to strong winds and are durable in heavy rains, hail storms, snowstorms, and other types of severe storms.
• Efficient. Cedar roofs are energy efficient, providing a natural insulation up to two times that of asphalt shingles. This allows you to conserve heating and cooling costs and save on energy bills.
• Worth the Price. Top quality roofing, like cedar wood, comes with a higher price and costs more to install; however, it provides a higher return on investment. When you think about it, your home is perhaps the largest investment of your lifetime, so it makes sense to top it with a high-quality, long-lasting material.
• Aesthetics. A natural wood roof has an unparalleled traditional aesthetic impact and significantly lifts the visual appeal of your entire home.
• Maintenance. With such natural beauty comes the responsibility to maintain it. Most wood shakes are cedar which require higher maintenance. Any debris, such as falling branches, need to be cleared off of the wood shakes and rain gutters need to be kept unclogged. Cedar shake roofs aren’t as susceptible to moss and algae as other roofing materials are. Periodic, professional treatment will help the shingles looking new.

At South Side Roofing, we can help you install a beautiful custom roof and assist in a maintenance plan to keep it looking great. Whether slate, shake, or shingle – contact us for a consultation!