Cedar Shingles vs. Cedar Shakes

Cedar Shake and Cedar Shingle roofs are the two options available in choosing a cedar roofing system. These two types of shingles are manufactured differently, which is discussed in detail bellow.

Cedar Shingles

Cedar shingles are smooth, tapered, and offer a uniform appearance, as they have been sawn on both sides. Cedar shingles are most appropriate for roofing modern houses or transitional style homes, which include vacation homes and wood cabins. Cedar shingles can be either sawn or sanded. Sawn cedar shingles are very similar to cedar shakes, as they offer the same durability and look alike; however, shingles do appear more tailored. Sanded cedar shingles provide an even more refined look, as they are smoother on both sides. Untreated cedar shingles are a pale brown color, while treated ones are green. Nevertheless, sometime after the installation is complete, both kinds will turn silver-gray due to natural weathering processes. The major benefit of treating a cedar shingle roof is that it will have a much longer life span of up to 50-60 (and sometimes even 80) years. Untreated shingles, on the other hand, can be expected to last for only 25-30 years.

Cedar Shakes

Cedar shake roofing offers a much more rustic appearance, as the shakes are split in a manner that reveals the natural grain of the wood. Also, shakes are usually thicker than shingles, and can often be uneven in length and width, making the entire roof appear more textured and with a number of variations. The process of making cedar shakes involves careful splitting and cutting down of wooded pieces. There are two kinds of cedar shakes available; hand-split and taper-sawn. Hand-split shakes are rough on the outside, which allows them to create a much more rustic effect. Taper-sawn cedar shakes on the other hand are sawn on both sides and appear much more similar in both texture and tailored appearance to shingles, while retaining the strength and thickness of a shake. The process of taper sawing consists of cutting the shake to make it slightly thicker at the end, which creates the taper.