Which One is Best for You: Wooden Shingles or Wood Shakes?

Wooden shakes and wooden shingles are both roofing materials that many people use for their homes.

The two materials are very similar, but there are some differences between them. This blog post will cover the benefits of each material, how they’re installed, and which one is best for you – wooden shingles or wood shakes!

Do you need help deciding between wooden shingles and wooden shakes?

If that sounds like you, then this article is for you! We’ll be going over the pros and cons of both options so you can make an informed decision. Wooden shingles are a great option if your house has a rustic look or feel to it.

They come in three different styles – Victorian, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman. On the other hand, wood shakes are made from cedar shake strips that are nailed onto battens on top of sheathing boards at right angles to each other.

They have been around since the 1800s but still, remain popular today because they last longer than traditional asphalt shingles do!

So which one should you choose? Well, let’s take a closer look at both options so we can figure out what will work best for your home!

Wooden Shingles vs Wood Shakes. Which One Is Best For You? Let’s get started.

What’s the difference between wood shakes and wood shingles (Wooden Shingles or Wood Shakes?)?

The differences between shingles and shakes are vast.

For starters, wood shakes are split using power equipment while hand-made with an ax or blade to make them more authentic in appearance; however, the result has less texture than a sawn product due to their taper angles being different from one another which causes varying levels of cross-grain on each side as well.

A wood shingle roof looks much smoother and more uniform in appearance. A shake roof will have a rustic, natural feel to it because it doesn’t cover up the materials used for its construction like other roofs can do.

Wood Appearance

• Wood Shingles – Wood shingles are the perfect siding for your home because they provide a beautiful, uniform appearance that is impossible with any other material.
  • Wood also ages beautifully and provides years of enjoyment for homeowners who want an update without sacrificing their character or charm!

There are three shingle thicknesses and lengths to pick from:

1. Fivex (1/4″ thick by 16″ long)

2. Perfection (3/8″ thick by18″ long)

3. Royal (1/2″ thick by 24″ long)

• Wood Shakes – Wood shakes give your home a rustic and weathered look.
  • As they’re made of wood, you can expect the roofs to be thick with a texture that will provide dimensionality for any type of house or condo dweller seeking something more natural-looking than plastic shingles would offer as well as those who want their homes to stand out from all others in proximity; this translates not only aesthetically but financially too!

There are three types of wood shakes:

1. Heavy split and resawn: Hand-sawn on the backside, with the natural grain of the wood in contrast to its face.

On the exposed front, there is a highly textured surface with a rough or rustic appearance. This is the thickest sort of wood shake, with a strong or earthy look about it. Available thicknesses for these shingles is 3/4″, 7/8″, 1″, and 1 1/4″+.

2. Medium split and resawn: A heavier variant of the split and resawn shake, it is similar to but not as thick or hefty as the latter. It produces a very textured roof. Available thicknesses are 1/2″ and 5/8″.

3. Tapersawn: A butt-shake creates a more natural appearance of a shingle enhanced by the thicker shadow line caused by the thickness of the butt. It’s the most widely used material for roofs. Available thicknesses: 5/8″, 7/8″ and 1″.

Wood Pricing

• Wood Shingles – It is an easy way to give your home that old-fashioned feel without breaking the bank. Wood shingles will cost between $5.83 and $9.76 per square foot to install.

• Wood Shakes – A shake roof is designed to create a more natural appearance while also remaining cost-effective.
  • The prices of wooden shakes range from $6.07 to $10.31 per square foot, making them a wise investment!

Wood Durability

• Wood Shingles -A wood shingles roof can last up to 30 years, but it requires annual maintenance.
  • Wood shingles are the preferred choice for this type of siding because it’s resistant against rot and insects in addition to being water-repellent!

• Wood Shakes – For the right conditions, your roof can last up to 40 years.
  • The average shake roof is its expected lifetime of around 20-40 years, depending on where you live and how well it was installed when new!

Roof Installation

• Wood Shingles – Installing Wood Shingles are flat on both sides, which means they sit flush with your roof’s surface and neatly accommodate overlapping shingles for an effective seal.

• Wood Shakes – Installing Wood Shakes is a time-consuming process that requires proper skills and patience.
  • The first challenge for installers will be how to space the felt between each row of shakes, as this material cannot fill gaps like other materials can; any wind-driven rainwater or litter would find its way under these layers instead of staying outside where it belongs!

The Advantage and Disadvantage of wooden shingles and wooden shakes:

The advantages of wooden shingles

Shingles made of wood are naturally resistant to water, ultraviolet rays, and insects.

The durability ensures that they will last for many years despite weathering or vandalism; their flexibility means you don’t need an architect’s license to install them yourself without sacrificing aesthetics (though if there is anything worth doing it takes someone with some know-how), while stability makes sure these roofs won’t fall apart during strong winds as other materials may do.

Their insulation factor also helps keep your home warmer by trapping heat that escapes through windows on sunny days- not bad considering this product can be reused time after again!

Finally, we come to cost – a wood shingle roof is very affordable, and the materials are easy to find.

The disadvantage of wooden shingles

As with any product, there’s always going to be someone looking for a cheap fix- unfortunately that often means these roofs end up on homes in lower-income areas where they aren’t as suitable as other products may be.

Wood shingles are also a headache to install, which means you’ll need at least two or three people to help with the process, and if any mistakes happen it’s very easy for this product to catch water- something that can cause serious damage when left untreated!

The advantages of wood shake

The benefit of wooden shakes is that they are one of the most heat-resistant materials available. As a poor conductor of heat, wood is an excellent insulator.

This implies that you may make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Wood shingles are also resistant to wind damage, which is one of the most prevalent issues affecting wooden shingles.

The disadvantages of wood shakes 

The disadvantage of wood shares is that they are not as water-resistant as wooden shingles. Over time, moisture can seep through the cracks and cause rot or mold growth in your roof decking.

The most common problem with wooden shakes is rot and algae, but these can be treated by applying certain treatments.

This will require frequent applications of your product to keep protection from fading away in time!

Should you use wood shingles or wood shakes?

The choice between wooden shakes and shingles is an easy one. Now that we know wooden shingles are smoother, easier to install, and more affordable.

Wooden shake roofs cost less than their counterpart, but they won’t last as long or be nearly as strong in the event of heavy snowfall which can damage it over time without proper care for your home’s exterior needs like pressure washing periodically to remove dirt/grime build-up.

Shingles are a great choice for homes that want an identity statement, but they come with the drawback of not being as affordable or customizable.

Shakes on the other hand strike this balance beautifully; their aggressive styling will appeal to some and not others depending upon taste which means you can find something special in every home!

When selecting a wooden roof, there are several factors to consider.

Take the following things into account before you get started on your wood roofing project once you’ve decided to go shingle or shake.

The species of the tree

Different tree species produce different hues, textures, qualities, and pricing.

Redwood: For those looking to make their house more protected and prove a worthwhile option, redwood roofing is the way forward.

Wallaba: For those who want a hard and durable roof, there is the Wallaba Tree.

The name itself says it all; this tree can withstand any weather condition and is long-lasting that comes its way with its special wood qualities.

Western Red Cedar: Western Red Cedar is a common and affordable option for wooden roofing, making it one of the most commonly used materials of this type.

Eastern White Cedar: Eastern White Cedar is a great choice if you’re looking to create more of an old-fashioned country look.

It is weathered yellow pale with age and will blend in nature around your home.

The Climate

The greatest threat to a wooden roof is moisture.

Moss, mold, and mildew will grow on it if there’s enough of it around for too long; not only does this make the appearance look bad but these unsightly growths rot wood which causes shrinkage cycles that can stretch out shingles/ shakes over time until they snap or break altogether! 

Not only do moist environments contribute towards warping problems by causing expansion-and contraction combinations like you would find in an oven (which might be why heat sources often lead up combustion), making sure your home stays well ventilated helps limit humidity levels within walls as well as a must if we want our structures to stay standing strong through whatever comes the way!

If you live in an especially wet or humid climate, keep your eye on the condition of wooden roofing.

This type can be more susceptible to rot and even damage from weather conditions like high levels of humidity that might cause itür Wood shakes and shingle may need re-shingling every few years depending on where they’re located; this is because these materials don’t provide much protection against wind-driven snowfall as well as a seismic activity which could warrant greater costs for replacement roofs.

Mold and mildew growths must be dealt with quickly to avoid spreading throughout your home, leading to potential health issues for anyone who is exposed.

If you live in a wet climate or one that experiences lots of snowfall, wooden shingles/ shakes may not fit the bill as well as other roofing materials like metal which offers more protection.

In Conclusion:

A roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It’s not something to take lightly when deciding on which type you want for yours. 

If you’re still struggling with what kind of roofing style might be best for your home, then feel free to contact us! Our experts are here 24/7 to help answer any questions that may come up during this process. 

We can also tell you about our full line-up of high-quality products and services so that we can find a product outside of roofs if it will better suit your needs.

Which option do you think would work best for the house in question? Let us know at www.roofcalc.com we’ll make it happen for you!