Roofing is an important part of any home’s exterior. There are many shingle options to choose from, but not all will last as long or offer the same level of protection.
It’s important that you understand what you’re looking for and why there are different grades before deciding which type is best for your home.
There are many different types of roofing shingles available for purchase. However, when it comes to cedar shake shingles, there are three grades that you should consider before making your decision.
The first grade is the most expensive and durable; however, they come with a much higher price tag than the other two grades. They also require more maintenance in order to maintain their quality appearance.
The second grade is cheaper but still requires some upkeep in order to keep them looking nice and last longer without any issues like rotting or peeling off at the corners.
The third grade has an even lower price point, but will not last as long as either of the other two grades if left untouched which means they would need replaced sooner rather than later due
In this blog post we will go over 3 types of cedar shake shingles grades. We’ll also discuss why each one may be a better option depending on your needs and budget constraints.
Cedar Shake Shingle Roof
Before you know the differences between three grades, first we need to talk about cedar shake roofs. They’re made of natural wood and come in different qualities – let’s find out how they stack up!
A premium roof system made from quality materials like this means that your house will last longer than those with cheaper options; not only does it provide extra value for money but also keeps things looking good on all sides of your house – aesthetically pleasing appearance as well protection against weather elements such as snowfall and a lot more.
The beauty lies within its simplicity too because these types have quite easy installation processes which means that contractors should have no trouble and provide a fast and efficient installation service.
The Tile Roofing Alternative: Cedar Shake Roofs
Cedar shake roofs are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional tile or concrete roofing options. It has been around for decades already and is one of the go-to choices if you want something different than other options.
Premium cedar shakes are known to last around 50 years. This isn’t just for its durability but also because of the natural wood that is used in quality roofs which are grown in plantations where they are harvested by professionals.
Cedar Shake Roofing Grades
As we have mentioned earlier there are three types of cedar shake shingles grades – don’t worry though they all provide a good quality roof just with different price tags and lifespan as well as maintenance requirements.
Grade 1 Cedar Shakes
The first grade is the most expensive and durable; however, they come with a much higher price tag than the other two grades. They also require more maintenance in order to maintain their quality appearance.
This first grade is called the common cedar shake shingles which are cut randomly from just any part of the Western red cedar tree. The lifespan of common cedar shake shingles is good for around 20.
The color of them also vary in terms of the reddish brown hue while some are more green than brown. It’s important to maintain their appearance which means you need to regularly clean your roof. If algae or moss forms on top, it can be scraped off regularly.
Additionally, it’s important to not walk on the roof surface too much. This is because you’re applying pressure on top and can potentially damage the system. Furthermore, it may cause strains or loss of slates which means that they will have to be replaced over time.
In terms of price, this type of wood shingle roof is on the pricier end. However, you get what you pay for in terms of quality and excellent appearance which means more value for your money spent!
Grade 2 Cedar Shakes
The second grade is cheaper but still requires some upkeep in order to keep them looking nice and last longer without any issues like rotting or peeling off at the corners.
This second grade is the select cedar shake shingles and is a combination of the 1st grade and the 3rd grade. Thus it has 80 percent of the straight grain cedar shake shingle and 20 percent of the common cedar shake shingle.
With this in mind, the roofer who will be doing your roofing project must go through this grade of cedar shake because of the percentage of common cedar shakes.
The lifespan of this type is good for around 30 years when selected well and installed correctly, which means it’s not as durable compared to grade 1 shingles which can last up to 50 years!
Maintenance may include regular cleanings, however, they are on the cheaper end which makes them more budget friendly over time.
Grade 3 Cedar Shakes
The third grade has an even lower price point, but will not last as long as either of the other two grades if left untouched which means they would need to be replaced sooner rather than later due to wear and tear.
This third grade is the 100 perfect straight grain which is by far the best among the 3 grades.
The materials used are carefully hand-selected, making it sure for the roofer to have no worries about laying the shingles flat when installing them, and thus not have concerns about having the shingles curl up.
If you want to invest in this type or grade of cedar shake shingles, you should not be on a tight budget.
This is because it is the most expensive among the three and it requires you to maximize the cost you must prepare to target as well the durability and longevity of your roofing’s life span.
Doing so will help you save more money and budget in the long run.
Just like grade 1 cedar shakes, the 100 percent straight grain grade 3 is durable compared to others with a lifespan of around 20 years.
However, this type of roof does not come cheap! You must be prepared to invest your money into it because it’s the best among the 3 grades.
More Information About Cedar Shake Shingles
A cedar shake roof is a beautifully elegant choice for your home. However, there are still more things that you should know about these roofs before choosing one for your home!
A shingle made out of natural materials like Cedar has an appealing feel to it and looks great against other green shades such as green tiles on stucco walls which we see at times here in Southern California; however this type requires special techniques if done incorrectly can lead not only to premature failure but also increased risk during extreme weather conditions.
Materials to Prepare for Cedar Shake Shingles Roofing
Your cedar shake roof is more than just the shingles you see from outside. It’s a combination of different key components and materials that work together to make sure your home stays leak free!
A cedar shake roof is more than just the shingles, and all other materials are also important. So what do they include?
The materials that make up your cedar shake roof are: Roof decking, flashing underlayment to prevent water damage from seepage, drip edge for safety reasons and insulation protection against heat loss in cold weather.
A layer of Cedar Shakes known as “shake” provides slippery surfaces like no other material on the market today which helps keep snow removal easy!
Capping off this product is ridge capping where pipes (usually PVC) wind around each vertex before connecting them into an endless circle close by; if left unattended they’ll grow outwards forming bumps or fractures – something we don’t want happening with ours because it will lead to water leaks.
To deal with cavities under the shingles, you should use flashing tape which is waterproof and it prevents any type of weather damage including water penetration during – extreme weather conditions like heavy rainstorms.
This will keep your home safe from mold growth and other possible damages resulting in high repair costs over time.
Weather and Climate Affects Your Cedar Shake Shingles
The type of climate you live in can affect how long your cedar shake roof will last. If it’s very moist or dry, then those conditions may shorten the life span for these shingles and make them more likely to harbor mold on top which is never fun!
You can never get the most out of your investment if it is damaged by moisture or heat. A home’s value will decrease with even just an inch of water damage, so it’s important not only for aesthetic reasons but financially as well too with regards to it’s lifespan!
Be aware of the environmental factors that you should be concerned with, such as severe weather and climate.
Straight-line winds (aka damaging) during heavy thunderstorms can do a lot of damage to houses in certain areas; hail storms often leave behind frozen precipitation on your roof and tornadoes can rip through the roofs of houses with ease.
The average lifespan of a cedar shake roof is about 20 to 50 years, depending on the grade you choose. But it can be shortened with exposure to hail and snow.
If you live in an area that experiences frequent tornadoes or hurricane season, then your roofing may need full replacement right away because these weather conditions damage roofs deeply enough where they cannot withstand another storm.
Therefore, when you invest in a new roof, the most important thing is thinking of getting the maximum lifespan out of it. This will be true for cedar shake roofs too!
As long as you have it installed properly and maintained cedar shake roof, the lifespan should be up to 30 years. If in an area where conditions are perfect for this type of material, you can really reach the goal of reaching up to 50+ years!
Cedar shake roofs are made naturally from the Western red cedar tree, so there’s no manufacturer warranty if the material will fail at it’s early years.
You’ll then only have to depend on the roofing contractor’s skills if there is ever a problem with your cedar shingle roof – but these days most professionals offer protection plans as well!
So if you’re looking for a high-quality cedar shake roof, make sure to choose the right contractor for this job!
