Installing a new roof can be a chance to bring not only a practical upgrade to your home but a beautiful one too. As a roofing choice, cedar shingles are both aesthetically stunning and durable. Cedar roofing can elevate your home into a show-stopper while also bringing advantages in energy efficiency, weather resistance, and longevity. This beautiful roofing option does not, however, come without upfront costs and maintenance considerations.
Roofing contractors, Cedar Rapids to Cedar City and everywhere in between, are experiencing an increased interest for installation of this type of roof. It is a premium roofing option that once installed, will sit on top your home for many years to come. So, before searching for cedar shake roofing contractors near me it is a good idea to learn more about this roofing material. Let’s cover everything you need to know about installing cedar roof shingles to help you weigh the option of this beautiful and practical home upgrade.
What Is Cedar Roofing?
Cedar roofing is installed using roofing shingles or shakes made from wood as opposed to other manufactured roofing materials, such as asphalt, metal, or slate. It is a natural material made from different types of wood, but the most typical is Western Red Cedar. The 18-inch shingle, known as barn shakes, is the most widely used cedar shingle size for roofing but a 24-inch size can be used too. The pleasing aesthetic created with cedar roofing sets it apart from other more common roof types.
Difference between Cedar Shakes and Cedar Shingles
Cedar shakes and shingles are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference between the two materials. Generally, cedar shakes are hand split from a block of wood, making them thicker and more irregular than shingles. Cedar shake roof installation adds a more rustic look and is best used on smaller cottages for a more charming style. Cedar shingles on the other hand are milled with a saw, making them thinner and more uniform in shape. They create a more classically refined look. Many Craftsman Style bungalows were originally designed with cedar shingled roofs.
The Upside of Cedar Roofing
The use of cedar shingles or shakes for roofing has many benefits, including:
- Beauty
- Durability
- Weather proofing
- Longevity
- Energy efficiency
Lasting Beauty
The beauty of cedar roofing is undeniable. The roof topped with a cedar plank roof is the one that stands out in any neighborhood. A cedar roof also fits in well with the growing popularity of adorning home exteriors with a mix-medium of materials, such as slate, wood, brick, siding, or composite stone. It also maintains its aesthetic beauty over a long period of time, weathering to a silvery gray hue as it ages.
Proven Durability
People have been using cedar roofing to top homes for a very long time and its history has proven its durability. The natural material provides long lasting protection from elements and is known to endure weather extremes over many years.
Natural Waterproofing
When cedar shingles are properly installed by a cedar roof contractor they create three overlapping layers. This overlap creates a weatherproofing system that provides protection even in severe storms. Cedar roofing is known for resisting strong winds, hurricanes, heavy rains, snowstorms, and hail. It is a product that can stand up to whatever weather comes its way.
Longevity: How Long Does a Cedar Roof Last?
The longevity of cedar roofing is also hard to deny. When properly installed and cared for it can last at least ten years longer than other more common roofing materials such as asphalt or metal.
Energy Efficient and Eco-Friendly
Cedar roofing is an energy efficient roofing option. Its natural insulation is calculated to be twice as efficient as asphalt in conserving both heat and cooling in the home. This serves up savings on energy bills. In addition, this premium roofing option is also eco-friendly and good for the environment as Western Red Cedar is a replaceable resource.
The Downsides of Cedar Roofing
A cedar shingle or cedar shake roof installation costs more than other traditional materials, such as asphalt and metal. It also requires some regular maintenance to reap all of its benefits.
High Upfront Cost
Cedar roofing tops your home with top quality. This long-lasting roofing material though has a high upfront cost that meets up with the high-quality of the end product. It is simply more expensive to install. It is a decision to pay a higher initial price for a product that will save money over time. When weighing the greater initial cost, it is beneficial to also weigh the lower lifetime cost after installation. It does provide a high return on your initial investment.
Cedar Roof Maintenance
Another downside to cedar roofing is that it is a natural product that requires a commitment to keep up with its up keep. A certain level of maintenance is neccessary to prevent moss, mold, and mildew growth. You can add a treatment during the crafting process to prevent fungal growth and preserve the wood. Making sure there are regular inspections and proper care will help it to continue delivering its high-quality features over many years.
What to Consider Before Hiring a Cedar Roofing Contractor
A search for cedar roof contractors near me will turn up a slew of cedar roof contractors. Wading through that list means knowing what to look for. You want a contractor that you not only trust to answer your questions, but one you trust to understand that quality is important to you. Cedar roofing is meant to last. You want to find a cedar roof contractor who takes your long-term investment in your home as seriously as you do.
Best Cedar Shingles for Roof Installation
Cedar shingles you can split in two different ways. One is a straight cut that maintains the same thickness throughout the shingle. The other is a taper cut that tapers in thickness diagonally across the shingle. The shingle should have an edge grain cut to prevent warping or splitting. The orientation of the wood grain is important. The ideal is a cut perpendicular to the wood grain. A premiere cedar roofing contractor can insure the precise cutting of your cedar shingles.
Options for Faster Installation
Cedar roof panels can be installed faster than individual shingles. Reputable cedar roofing contractors can provide this option when available.
Finishing your Cedar Roofing
Cedar roofing does not have to be finished. Natural cedar wood has built-in preservative properties that also contribute to the weathering quality over time. However, most cedar shingle roofing contractors will recommend finishing your cedar roofing. Summit Construction Group, a roofer company in Edina, Minnesota recommends finishing because restoring these shingles after they start to warp requires a lot more work. It takes more expense later than it does to do the finishing up front.
These finishes act as water repellents to stop water absorption. This prevents swelling, surface mildew, and damage from ultraviolet light.
Overall, there are four ways to finish cedar shingles. These include:
- Opaque coatings such as paints or solid-color stains. These completely cover the cedar’s natural wood grain.
- Semi-transparent stains. These come in a variety of colors and are either oil-based or latex based. Oil-based lasts longer.
- Natural finishes or transparent stains. These are designed to preserve the wood’s natural color.
- Oils, which include bleaching oils and water-repellent preservatives. These can have a light pigment.
A quality and reputable cedar roof contractor can answer your questions about different finishes.
Things to consider talking with your contractor about are:
- How will different finishes affect the natural weathering of cedar shingles
- The advantages and disadvantages of having the finishes applied during manufacturing or during installation
- The frequency with which you need to repaint or re-stain painted or stained cedar roofing
- The products the roofing contractor uses and why
A High-Quality Choice
Cedar roofing is an aesthetically eye-catching, durable, and long-lasting roofing choice that carries significant energy efficient and weather resistant advantages. With proper maintenance cedar shingles or shakes can easily make their higher installation costs reap significant benefits well into the future. Cedar roofing gives you a great choice to bring both a practical and beautiful upgrade to your home.
Ready for a new roof? Summit Construction Group is a premiere roof contractor in Edina that provides all the know-how and service to top your home with the quality it deserves. Summit contractors, supply specialized roof replacement in Edina and throughout the Twin Cities.
