Cedar shake roof installation and replacement is a common home improvement project. Unlike light wood shingles, cedars are heavy. Installation requires specialized tools to distribute the weight evenly across the roof frame. Proper nailing technique also differs from that used with other types of shingles. Repairs can be quite costly because it’s difficult for one person to carry out without special equipment or rigging techniques. The following overview will help you understand what causes shakes to deteriorate and how best to fix these problems.

What is cedar shake roofing?

Cedar shake is a type of roofing material that actually dates back to the 16th century. They are wooden shingles that have been used as a traditional roofing method from Europe all the way through Canada and into the United States.  Historically, cedar shakes were hand split by axe with each individual piece split apart until reaching desired thicknesses. Today, modern machinery speeds up this process considerably but requires quality wood at the initial stages in order for consistent splitting to occur .

Why choose a cedar shake roof

The benefits of cedar shingle roofs revolve around longevity, their natural resistance to fire and insects, low cost installation and reduction of your carbon footprint .   Cedar naturally resists cracking which makes it excellent an exterior roofing product that needs little to no maintenance. Low cost and the ability for this material’s resistance to insects and fire makes it a common choice amongst homeowners that want an easy upkeep home.

Cedar Roof Maintenance

Cedar shakes require little maintenance, however should the need arise there are some options. As mentioned previously cedar roofing is naturally resistant to insect infestation; should you find evidence of wood-boring pests such as termites or carpenter bees, take care of the problem quickly to avoid major structural damage . Also be on the lookout for moss growth in high humidity climates; roofs under trees tend to suffer from increased moss growth due to debris and leaves collecting along their length; keep your yard clean and rake away dead leaves regularly will help reduce this issue .

Cedar shake roofing installation process 

There are typically two ways that cedar shake roofing is installed. If the roof is new construction, it’s more common to use a machine called a “shake-staker”. Using this device, an installer can install shakes up to 10″ in length with little or no waste; this machine allows you to place them at pretty much any angle . A second method is by hand on roofs that are already built. This technique requires skilled labor and takes considerably longer than the shake-staker, so it will cost more .

Cedar Roof Installation East Hampton NY

When installing cedar shingles there are some key steps that must be taken for best results. The first step is after completing sheeting , laying down an underlayment material such as house wrap over all seams. This will help seal out water and prevent rot in the wood. The best way to nail cedar shingles is by “passing” each course, meaning that you’re nailing down one layer before moving up; this prevents lap marks on top of every other layer . Finally, when your roof is all finished you want it to look nice and clean , without any bumps or ridges along its length; there are special tools used for finishing that will help leave a smooth finish.

Cedar shake roofing benefits 

Cedar shake roofs offer many benefits to your home. First, they are both aesthetically pleasing and offer great protection. These roofs are very durable for what they are made of; cedar is a fantastic wood that does not need replacing as often as other woods. It comes with great warranties making it attractive to everyone looking for this type of roof.  Another benefit these roofs hold is the ability to remain watertight for most of their life span ; shingles can be replaced periodically without having to replace the entire roof .  Shingle installation is quick and easy so most homes with cedar shake roofs have them installed quite quickly after construction begins on their homes .

Cedar Shake is an Eco-Friendly Roofing Solution

Last but not least, cedar shakes reduce your carbon footprint . These roofs are harvested from sustainable forests, reducing the number of trees cut down for roofing each year. Replacing less wood reduces the amount of land that must be cleared annually to make room for new growth. As cedar is durable and long lasting it helps reduce the amount of waste in our landfills as well .

Cedar shake roof repair 

Over time cedar shakes will tend to fail at their seams due to expansion or contraction during extreme changes in climate or just natural wear over time; this does not mean your roof needs to be replaced though ! We can move any failing shingle from one section to another and repair it using a special adhesive, called  cedar shake roofing sealant  which will bond the pieces together. Once all of failing shedles are repaired or replaced, we can then re-shingle as needed .

In cases where the weather has caused major damage to your cedar roof, it may be necessary to replace large sections of the roof at a time . If you have a lot of trees around your home this is even more likely as these can drop debris down onto shingles over time , causing significant damage. In cases like this expect a large amount of additional work during repairs; if multiple shakes are damaged on top of each other than there may be some tearing between layers .

Cedar shake roof repair is not a DIY job

For somebody who lacks experience installing and replacing roofs, as as working with potentially dangerous heights requires the use of specialized tools and techniques. In most cases, it’s a good idea to hire a professional roofer with cedar shake experience to install or replace cedar shingles.

Common Do-It-Yourself Mistakes:

• too many nails can weaken the roof sheathing and will cause individual shakes to come loose.
• If you’re using asphalt shingles as a base for cedar shakes, make sure they overlap by at least 2″. Otherwise the wind will lift up the lower layer of shingles and pull off individual shakes as it goes under them
• Don’t install cedar shakes over a single layer of asphalt shingles, because the wood underneath will rot from being constantly wet.
• If you’re using cedar shake roofing in combination with another type of roof covering, such as slate or clay tile, make sure the heads of the nails don’t puncture through the other roof.

We install and repair cedar wood shingle roofing in Riverhead NY.

Cedar shingles will last ten to fifteen years and sometimes more before it needs replacement. A few common factors leading to the need for cedar wood shingle roof repairs can include: repeated exposure to harsh weather conditions, poor workmanship at installation, or an accumulation of plant debris over time. Cedar roofs should be checked by a contractor regularly (at least twice a year) for any damage such as algae growth, dry rot which comes from too much water trapped within the wood and other issues that will call for cedar wood shingle roof repair. We offer free inspections on commercial roofing during this process we find many problems that would go unnoticed by the untrained eye.

Cedar wood shingle roof repair will need to be done by a professional contractor who is familiar with cedar roofs, as the installation involves special techniques that are not used for other styles of roofing. If you have any questions concerning cedar wood shingle roofing call us today at (631) 315-2800.

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