If you’re a homeowner in need of a new roof in Shreveport Louisiana, but don’t want to lose the rustic charm of your current home, look no further. At Quality Exteriors, we offer a wide range of roofing options, including a shake roof style. A wood shake roof is one which is split on one or both sides. They are generally hand-shaped, though some companies shape them with power equipment. Shingles, however, are machine-cut on both sides with a saw. The end of the cut is generally thinner than the end of a shake.
At Quality Exteriors, we offer roofing options that will complement your rustic-style home or cottage. A wood shake roof is an attractive option for your home, and we pride ourselves on efficient, high-quality installations. If you’re in need of a new roof, or looking to change up the exterior of your home, call Quality Exteriors Roofing today at 318-747-1254, or visit us online.
What is a shake roof?
Traditional roof shakes date back to the colonial era of the United States. Popular materials for wood shakes include California redwood and Western red cedar. Hand-split wooden logs create these individually-applied shakes. Once finished, they form the roof of a house. Modern roofing sees significant improvement in both style and protection, with the main options for this styling being shake-style roofing and wooden shake roofing.
True wooden shakes are as we described above. Shake-style roofing is the more modern equivalent of a wood shake roof. This modern option mimics the style of wood shakes, while offering extra protection in terms of wind and fire resistance. They are also thicker than popular asphalt shingles, and offer a higher resistance to ice and snow. Many new roofs, as well as replacement roofs, have shake-style roofing.
What is the difference between a shingle roof and a shake roof?
Both shakes and shingles are formed by splitting thin rectangular pieces from a log. The main difference is that shingles are sawn on both sides, while a shake is sawn on one side, and hand split on the other. This makes shakes thicker than shingles. However, they are both wedge-shaped, as they must be affixed to the underdeck individually.
The most important difference between the two is the method of manufacturing. Traditionally, someone sawed shingles from a block of wood, and split shakes off using a sharp blade. Today, we produce shingles by machine, and shakes by a combination of power tools and by hand. Shingles receive their tapered shape through the use of a saw, while shakes do not. Ultimately, this results in a more textured appearance for a wood shake roof. Additionally, shingles show some cross grain due to the use of a saw. Because shakes are split apart, they follow the natural grain pattern of the wood more closely.
How long does a wood shake roof last?
When installed correctly, we expect a wood shake roof, made from either Western red cedar or California redwood, to last about 30 years. This is possible through proper installation and maintenance. We recommend deterioration prevention work at least every 2 to 4 years to ensure that your shake roof lasts as long as possible.
The location of your home, as well as that location’s climate, play a large role in the life expectancy of your roof. In places such as Louisiana, we experience very high humidity for a large portion of the year. These climates have the potential to shorten the lifespan of your roof drastically, especially if you do not take steps to properly maintain it. Other causes of roofing deterioration include moisture, moss, mold, insects, and fungi.
It is imperative that you engage in regular maintenance of your wood shake roof, especially if you live in an area with high humidity or moisture. The wind, cold, rain, and heat all cause shakes to break down over time, and to become weaker.
How expensive is a shake roof?
Wood shake roofing has a good life expectancy, but the cost is higher than alternative roofing options. Compared to asphalt shingles, shake roofing runs at about double the cost. In order to save yourself some time and money, we recommend hiring an experienced team of roofing professionals to protect your home.
Our professionals at Quality Exteriors have extensive experience in maintaining various types of roofs. We keep them free of algae, moss, fungi, and any other issues that cause deterioration. This does, however, increase the cost of shake roofing. Maintenance is a necessary part of having the rustic appeal of a wood shake roof. For more information about pricing and maintenance, we recommend contacting our Bossier City office at 318-747-1254 today.
Pros and Cons of a Wood Shake Roof
In this section, we list our pros and cons of having a wood shake roof for your home. Our experience allows us to better explain this type of roofing, as well as how we can meet your needs. Depending on your location, climate, and home surroundings, we can better estimate which roofing option is right for you.
Pros:
- We consider the greatest advantage of shake roofs to be their exceptional beauty. As these shakes age, they gain an elegant grayish tone.
- If cost is your concern, we are happy to say shakes usually outlast more common roofing materials, like asphalt roofing, by at least 10 years. This means that you won’t replace your roof as often. Additionally, wood shakes are highly durable, and withstand the storm winds of hurricanes, heavy rains, and other types of severe weather.
- Wood shakes are also very energy efficient in that they provide up to two times the amount of insulation of asphalt shingles. They more efficiently preserve the heat in your home, and save money on heating and cooling bills in the long run.
- Last but not least, shakes are very environmentally friendly! Shakes are recyclable, and sustainable, as they are made from replenishable wood.
Cons:
- The initial cost of a shake roof is more expensive than asphalt shingles. The materials and installation both cost more, but they pay high dividends in the long run.
- Maintenance is an additional cost to wood shake roofs. While all roofs need some form of maintenance, a shake roof needs more regular maintenance and inspection than others.
Call Quality Exteriors Roofing Today
If you’re thinking about installing wood shakes for your home, you need an experienced roofing company for the job. At Quality Exteriors Roofing, we offer initial free inspections, so you can determine which roof is right for your home. We specialize in roofing, siding, and window services, so we know how to make your home both look inviting and have durability. Call our office today at 318-747-1254, or visit our website.