Cedar shingles or shakes have many different grades and cuts.
They are distinguished by Blue, Red and Black labels. Our knowledgeable staff will be able to assist you in choosing which product is best for your roof.
Cedar Shingles and Cedar Shakes are two different things, although both are made of cedar.
Cedar Shake Roof
A cedar shake has a split face exposure on one side, giving it a more rustic appearance. It is sawn smooth on the back.
Cedar Shingle Roof
A cedar shingle is sawn on both sides to give it a more tailored appearance. There is also a Tapersawn Shake. It is cut on a shingle saw, but it is called a shake because of its size and thickness.
Read more about the differences between cedar shingles and cedar shakes.
Cedar Shingle Grades
The grade of cedar shingles varies. The highest grade is called a Number 1 Blue Label, the highest grade of shingles for roofs. They are made of 100% heartwood with 100% clear and edge grain. Heartwood is defined as a tree’s older, harder central wood that is usually darker, denser, less permeable and more durable than the surrounding sapwood. Sapwood is the younger, softer outer portion of the tree that is more permeable and, less durable, lighter in colour than heartwood.
A Number 2 Red Label cedar shingle grade is a good grade for many applications, but flat grain and limited sapwood are permitted in this grade.
Number 3 Black Label cedar shingles are a utility grade for economy applications and secondary buildings such as sheds, gazebos and sidewalls.
Number 1 and premium grades of cedar shakes and shingles are available with pressure-treated preservatives, and they can also be purchased with pressure-treated fire retardants.
Cedar Roof Care and Maintenance
Cedar Roofs need to breathe, so they have to be kept clear of leaves, branches and all debris. The surface area and keyways (between the shakes or shingles) must be clean. Don’t let downspouts drain onto a lower roof surface – all gutters and downspouts should drain to the ground. Take care when it comes to power washing a cedar roof. High-pressure washing can cause damage to any material. Sometimes the debris of a roof can be easily removed with a garden hose.
Cedar Roof Repairs & Replacement
A good thing about a cedar roof is that it is sometimes possible to replace and repair parts of it. It isn’t too old. Cedar repairs will eventually weather the same coloration as the rest of the roof as it matures.
If you have a cedar roof and are reading this, it may be because you wonder if it needs replacing. Or maybe it looks old, and you are unsure.
A cedar roof often gets neglected, grows moss, and holds tree debris, which can make it look bad.
We have inspected and cleaned many cedar roofs at Absolute Roof Solutions and often found that some are in good shape and still have life left.
Signs of Problems With a Cedar Roof
There are some signs to look for, though: severely cupped or curling shingles or tattered or frayed ends that look rotting. Also, many cracked shingles or shingles that are loose or broken are signs of wear or old age. Another sign of wear or old age is that the ridge caps may have come loose or, worse, completely fallen off.
Depending on the age of the cedar roof, these signs may not signify that you need a new roof. But all of these together mean that you should get a qualified inspection to determine if there is a need for a roof replacement.
If the roof were shingled with a high grade of cedar, per the notes above, there would be very little curling, not much cracking, but maybe a bit of frayed or tattered edges. The ridge caps may have completely fallen off, but the roof shingles may still be in good shape. Thus, some competent maintenance is required, and it will bring your cedar roof back for years to come.
If the cedar is a lower or poor grade, the ridge caps may break and come loose, and some of the shingles may be cupping, rotting or cracking.
This could be one of the ‘many indicators’ of a worn-out cedar roof. As the roof ages, it becomes increasingly difficult to repair. Sometimes, a person walking on the roof to repair it can cause more damage than they can. The roof can also be unsafe, as the shingles can break or fall apart while the person is trying to do repairs.
Interesting Properties of Cedar Roofs
Cedar has some very interesting properties as well. Sometimes, a home may experience a leak in the late summer after the first rain. Then, through the whole winter, the leak is never seen again. This is because when the cedar is dry, it can shrink a little, and in the first season of rain, the water drips in before the cedar has had a chance to soak in the liquid and swell. When wet, the cedar swells slightly, and that can sometimes seal the crack.
Over the last century, the British Columbia area, including Vancouver, has produced Roof Cedar for cities all over North America. Contrary to many opinions that there is no more good cedar, you can still buy true high-quality cedar for roofs.
Cedar is a beautiful natural roof.
Many attributes of shingles and shakes are considered when deciding on the proper roofing material for your home.
To find out how we can help you with your cedar roof, call us at (604) 263-0334 or fill out our form.
