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CEDAR ROOFING
Cedar  Shakes Cedar  Shingles

Please see Definitions
 

   Cedar shakes have a very long, and distinguished, history as a roofing product in America.  However, with the advent
   of recent housing booms, the reputation of cedar shakes has been tarnished by the use of inferior grade, untreated,
   product - which has not performed as well as traditional cedar roofing.  As a result, many consumers incorrectly think
   the durability of cedar shake is limited to 20-25 years instead of the 50 year lifespan cedar had established during
   over two centuries of shake roofing in America.

   While it is true that inferior grade, untreated, medium cedar shakes often fail after 20-25 years - a fact clearly seen in
   speculative developments throughout the Seattle area - it is equally true that superior grade, treated, heavy shakes
   have a long history of 50 year durability.

   Many consumers assume products made from similar material are comparable in quality - in other words, all treated
   cedar shake are the same.  This thinking is incorrect.  There's a significant difference in quality between cedar shake
   which is apparent both in the durability achieved and also the actual appearance - better quality cedar shake is very
   obvious by its beauty, even at a distance.

   The chart below illustrates the (conservative) estimated durability and "Re-Sale Window" for various grades of cedar,
   of both medium (1/2") and heavy (3/4") cuts.

                                                                                          Functional Lifespan                Re-Sale Window *
 
       Inferior Medium (1/2") Untreated Cedar     15 - 25                 10 - 20
       Premium  Medium (1/2") Treated Cedar       30 - 40                 25 - 30

       Inferior Heavy (3/4") Untreated Cedar      20 - 30                 15 - 25
       Premium  Heavy (3/4") Treated Cedar        40 - 50                 35 - 40

               * It is simply not enough for consumers to only know the "functional life" of their roofing product.
                 It is more important to understand the Re-Sale Window - The age BEFORE the roofing starts
                 to show signs of imminent failure and cannot pass the critical Five Year Certification Inspection.

BENEFITS OF (Premium Grade) CEDAR SHAKE

   AESTHETICS - Cedar shake is famous for its natural rugged beauty.  In the modern age of machined / manufactured
                           synthetics, cedar shakes provide a warmth and individuality that is often imitated but never duplicated.

   LONGEVITY - Of the "Temporary" roofing materials (inferior metal, cedar, lightweight tiles and asphalt composition)
                          cedar shake rates with the very best for "functional lifespan" but, more importantly, cedar has the best
                          "Re-Sale Window."  For all the temporary products, cedar provides the best "bang for the buck."

                                      Temporary Roofing Materials                              Functional Lifespan   Re-Sale Window

                   Metal: Stone-Coated & Batten System             50               15

                   Cedar: Premium Heavy Treated                   50               40
                   Cedar: Premium Medium Treated                  40               30

                   Lightweight Tiles: Concrete & Clay              30               20

                   Asphalt: "Lifetime" Slate Style                 20               15
                   Asphalt: "Lifetime" Pumpkin-Tooth Style         20               15
                   Asphalt: "Lifetime" Architectural Style         15               10
                   Asphalt: "50 year"  Architectural Style         15               10
                   Asphalt: "40 year"  Architectural Style         15               10
                   Asphalt: "30 year"  Architectural Style         15               10
                   Asphalt: "25 year"  3-Tab Style                 15               10

   INSULATION - Cedar's unique cellular structure is a natural insulator, keeping the home cooler in the summer and
                           warmer in the winter.  Also, because cedar is the only roofing material that "breathes", it provides the
                           best possible ventilation and excellent resistance to mold, mildew and fungus in the home.

   WEATHER -     Cedar shake's natural ability to flex allows it to withstand some of the harshest weather conditions and
                           it's able to withstand extreme temperatures and freeze-thaw conditions.  Cedar is hail resistant with a
                           class - 4 rating and wind resistant, able to withstand winds up to 130 mph.

   WEIGHT -        Cedar is a lightweight roofing material, weighing between 250 to 300 pounds per roofing "square"
                           which is about half the weight of top-of-the-line asphalt shingles or "lightweight" concrete/clay tiles.

For a manufacturer perspective
please use the Company Links below for General Information
on all the different Cedar products available in the Seattle Washington area.

All roofing manufacturers claim their product is "The Best"
Obviously, that Can Not be the Truth

There are significant differences in quality between "comparable" Cedar Shakes
Contact an Independent and Unbiased Roofing Expert
Before selecting ANY roofing product

Seattle RoofBroker

 

  • Clarke Group                                                                     www.clarkegroup.com

  • Fraser Cedar Products                                                   www.frasercedarproducts.com

  • Meeker Cedar Products                                                  www.meekercedar.com

  • Teak Cedar                                                                        www.teakcedar.com

  • Waldun Forest Products                                                 www.waldun.com

  • Watkins Sawmills                                                             www.watkinsawmills.com

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________

     Disclaimer: This is not an advertisement or a solicitation and information is provided only as a public service.
     The information above is presented for educational purposes only.  The commentary and all contents reflect
     the professional opinion and experience of the author alone and are subject to error or change without notice.
     The presence of a link to a website does not indicate approval or endorsement of that website or any products,
     services or opinions that may be offered by them.

 

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