Cedar Shakes and Shingles

Cedar Shakes and Shingles

Wood shake roof systems that are properly designed and installed are known for their longevity, performance, and beauty. The highest quality shakes available in the Ohio and Kentucky markets are western red cedar shakes that are certified by the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau. These shakes are branded as Certi-Label shakes and shingles. Western red cedar trees are the preferred source for roofing material because they live up to 1500 years and are extremely durable. Cedar that is harvested on the east coast (near sea level) grows faster than western red cedar but is less dense and not a good product for roofing.

Wood Shake roofs that are properly ventilated can last up to 85 years. The longest lasting wood shake roof systems are installed over split sheathing. Roof decks with split sheathing are well ventilated are cause moisture on the underside of the shakes to evaporate quickly. Wood shake roof systems installed over solid sheathing such ad plywood or OSB are difficult to ventilate. Moisture that is trapped in between the courses of shakes can cause them to fail prematurely.

Wood shakes can be installed in several sizes and grades. Deer Park Roofing, Inc. recommends the following design specifications (for the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area) to ensure the long term performance of your Cedar Shake Roof System:

  • Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau Certi-Label heavy (3/4 inch thick) premium grade shakes that are fire treated
  • Fasteners should consist of Stainless steel nails (type 304 or 316 stainless) or hot dipped galvanized
  • Number 30 asphalt felt should be installed between each course of shakes no lower than twice the exposure
  • Shakes should be installed over split sheathing or a Cedar Breather underlayment should be used when installing shakes over solid roof decks such as OSB or plywood

 

Maintenance Tips for Wood Shake Roofs

  • Over driven fasteners and poor ventilation will cause cedar shakes to curl, such shakes should be removed and replaced
  • Cedar Shake Roof systems will perform well if moisture is able to evaporate quickly from both the surface and the underside of the shakes
  • Shakes will last longer if they are installed over a steep slope and exposed to sunlight
  • Coatings should not be applied to the surface of the shakes because this will trap moisture between the courses
  • Remove leaves and branches from the surface of the roof and keep the side laps of the shakes free from debris
  • Do not allow moss build up or other vegetative growth on the surface of the wood shakes
  • Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage

For more information about Cedar Shake Roof Systems, contact a staff member. Deer Park Roofing, Inc. is an approved applicator by the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau.


Before/After Cedar Shake Re-Roof Project

This is a (before) photo of a recent Cedar Shake Re-Roof project performed by Deer Park Roofing, Inc. The scope of work included removing the old shakes, installing Certi-Label Fire Treated Wood Shakes, and installing new half round copper gutters.

The gutters are installed first so the straps can be fastened directly to the roof deck. The Cedar Shakes will be installed over the gutter straps to prevent leaks from occurring at the fasteners.

16 oz copper flashings were used throughout this roof. The Cedar Shakes are 18 inches long and 3/4 inch thick. 30 pound felt paper is installed between each course of shakes.

The original attic insulation was not sufficient and the removal of the roof allowed us to install blown-in insulation. The attic space was insulated to an R-value of 30.

The old steel collector boxes are replaced with custom fabricated copper collector boxes.

The Cedar Shake Roof System is completed and subject to inspection by the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau. The customer receives a 25 Year Warranty on this system.

News & Resources

Installed Counter Flashing before solder






Roof Flashing: different types, how to install them, and when you should replace them

If we look at a pie chart of our monthly service requests in Louisville Ky, leaks at roof flashings are the biggest piece of the pie.  A poorly installed flashing repair compromises the integrity of the roof.  At Deer Park…



Seamless gutters






10 Components of a Successful Gutter System

Gutters and Downspouts are designed to drain rainwater away from your home or building without causing damage to your foundation, basement, landscaping, or other building materials.  An effective gutter and downspout system includes a number of different accessories, including splash…



metal thermal movement






Understanding Thermal Movement

Understanding thermal movement in residential metal roof systems is key to long-term performance Roofing contractors often are amazed at the time-tested craftsmanship of sheet-metal systems that are removed from historical structures. It’s not uncommon for some of these systems to…



ice dam gutters






Ice Dams

Several factors contributed to problem roofing area in the photo below. Even though the shingles were in good condition and installed properly, leaks were occurring in the winter months due to ice dams. To remedy the situation, the homeowner installed…








Hail Damage to Roof Systems

Hail Damage to Roof Systems Hail storms can cause significant damage to all types of roofing systems, including asphalt shingles. Hail damage to roofs can be identified by discovering distress marks on the surface of the roof. In the case…



Chimney Flashing Soldering






Solder Versus Caulk

Solder A metal alloy that is used for permanently bonding metal flashings together. The word solder is derived from the Latin term solidare which means “to make solid”. Most solder, especially used in a roofing application, is made up of…








Residential Roof Repair or Replacement

Roof Leaks Roof failures occur for a number of different reasons. The main reasons are poor design, installation errors, age of roof, and flashing defects. The most common types of failures are noticed in roof leaks. These are normally discovered…



Louisville Drip edge






5 Types of Drip Edges on Metal Flashings

5 Types of Drip Edges on Metal Flashings Drip edge can be found on many metal flashings and components that are installed on your roof system, including: Gutter apron Rake edge flashing Gravel stop Chimney caps Coping The outward projecting lower…



dissimilar-metals






Dissimilar Metals in Roofing Applications

Be Cautious When Using Dissimilar Metals in the Same Roof System Many different types of metals are used in various roofing materials, flashings, and fasteners. Problems can occur when two different types of metals (also known as dissimilar metals) are…



Algae on roofs






Algae Roof Stains

Roof discoloration from algae or fungus growth made its way to the Cincinnati area about 10 years ago. It originated in the coastal areas of the southeastern United States and traveled north. The name of the algae is Gloeocapsa Magma.…








Soffit and Eave Intake Vents

Traditional homes, like the one pictured above, contain an overhang near the eave area where intake vents can be installed. The intake vents are the most important component to any roof ventilation system. As warm air in the attic rises,…








Insulating and Ventilating a Cape Cod House

Cape Cod Stye homes are very common in the Louisville KY area. These are typically smaller 1 story homes. Insulating and ventilating cape cod style houses can be very challenging. Anyone who has lived in one of these types of…








Metal Patio Roof – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

Deer Park Roofing replaced the asphalt shingles on this patio roof with a beautiful new standing seam metal roof. This customer wanted to remove the asphalt shingles from their patio roof and install a standing seam metal roof. Since the…








Deck Waterproofing Project – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

Deer Park Roofing designed and installed this beautiful new deck to create a covered, waterproof patio underneath. This is a photo of the deck that was removed. A new deck is being installed with the goal of achieving a waterproof…








Mold in Attic

A close examination of the photo above reveals large amounts of mold on the underside of the roof sheathing. What caused the mold and why did it thrive in this attic space? 1. The insulation was improperly installed over the…








Shingle Installation Methods: Hand Nailing vs. Nail Gun

Which Shingle Installation Method is Better – Hand Nailing or Nail Gun? The question is often asked as to which nailing method will yield the best results when installing a new roof. Is it better to fasten the shingles by…