If you’re wondering, “Is a wood shake roof good for my home?” Let Watkins Construction & Roofing help you out! As your roof stands guard over your home or business 24/7, it is no small decision to decide which type is right for you, so you want something that is both attractive and provides reliable protection. For that reason, there has been nothing more durable than wood shakes for roofing purposes. People have been covering their roofs with wood shakes for thousands of years, not just hundreds.
Many high-performing roofing materials have emerged on the roofing market over the past few years, which has led to a decrease in wood shake popularity. However, it still remains the preferred roofing material for some property owners due to its earthy, rustic appeal.
What Are Wood Shakes, Anyway?
Although wood shakes differ significantly from asphalt shingles in size, depth, texture, and other properties, they are commonly called wood shingles. Wood shakes are prepared from western red cedar, cypress, pine, and redwood trees. Real logs are split and shaped by manufacturers for roofing purposes, and they are then finished and shaped by them. Wood shakes are still used worldwide today. The fire retardant and other chemical preservatives in modern wood shake and wood shingle products make them less susceptible to fire and decay. Wood shakes are normally classified as eco-friendly roofing options since they are made from renewable resources, such as trees, and are more moisture-resistant than untreated shakes.
Advantages of Natural Wood Shakes
It has been common practice to use wood shakes as roofing materials for buildings as long as they have had roofs. What makes wood shakes a good roof choice? Here are some of the most advanced benefits of installing wood shakes:
- Natural insulator
In fact, wood is a natural insulator, something that you can’t say about every roofing material. If you’re concerned about energy efficiency, then wood shake shingles are certainly worth considering. You can keep your resident warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer with a natural wood roof, thanks to its insulating properties.
- Natural resistance to winds & pests
Shakes are made from wood, and because of their thickness and weight, they are more wind-resistant than other roofing materials, provided that they are fastened properly during installation. Woods, including cedar, also deters pests and is naturally pest-resistant.
- Durability & stability of natural cedar
The use of cedar shakes offers other advantages as well, including natural preservatives that prevent UV exposure, moisture, and rot. Cedar resists shrinking and swelling even when it is subjected to humid conditions, maintaining its shape and structure well.
- Unmatchable natural beauty
Additionally, many people still consider wood shakes to be the best roofing material for their homes because of their natural beauty. It is still hard to beat the natural look of real wood when compared to some modern roofing materials that mimic the aesthetics of wood shakes.
Disadvantages of Natural Wood Shakes
While there is a lot to consider about wood shakes, there are also a few cons to remember. Here are some of the potential cons of wood shake roofing:
Fire concerns
Wood shakes may be treated with fire retardants today, but wood, by definition, is a very flammable material, so fire threats remain an issue.
Mold & mildew concerns
Many types of wood shake roof products have been shown to retain moisture more than other roofing materials, which makes mold and mildew more likely to grow. When mold or mildew sets in, additional moisture is retained, thereby resulting in water damage and rot.
Cracks can lead to leaks.
Over time, wood can split and crack. Even though cracked shakes can add visual interest to your roof, not only are they visually appealing, but they are also more leak-prone than other similar roof materials.
Discoloration over time
It is actually quite appealing to some people to have weathered wood shakes on their homes because they don’t mind their faded look. However, wood shakes probably won’t be the best choice for someone who wants their roof to keep its original color.
What It Takes to Maintain a Wood Shake Roof
You may also wish to have a better understanding of what wood shake roof maintenance entails if you are considering making a wood shake roof investment. Here are a few considerable tips and recommendations.
- Prevention is the best medicine.
As with any type of roof, wood shake roofs benefit most from prevention. Make sure the vegetation around the roof and any overhanging branches are kept trimmed. Your roof will last longer if there is less debris falling on it. Keeping your gutters clean is also crucial. You can also install zinc or copper strips on wood shake roofs to prevent moss, mold, and mildew from growing.
- Proper wood shake washing
Wood shake roofs are no different from other roof types – avoid using pressure washers. Instead of using a simple pressure washer, use a garden hose and a robust brush to clean the roof. Pressure washers can damage the roof and force water into the roof sheathing.
- Apply regular preservative treatments.
A wood roof that has accumulated some years of service can be restored to decay-resistant properties by some commercial treatments. For wood shakes to last as long as possible, it is advisable that these treatments are applied every five years or so.
Looking for the Best Local Wood Shake Roofing Provider in MS? Choose Watkins!
Choosing the right installer to install your wood shakes is as crucial as choosing your preferred roofing material. With hundreds of wood shake and cedar shake roof installations under our belts, Watkins Construction & Roofing knows how to make any roof look distinctive. Moreover, Watkins offers installation services for all types of popular roofing materials, such as wood shakes, asphalt shingles, metal, slate, tile, and high-performance synthetics.
Watkins Construction & Roofing is the premier roofing contractor serving all of Mississippi. Don’t just listen to our word for it, though; check out Watkins reviews on Google, Facebook, and Guild Quality. Let our satisfied customers show you why we’re the local roofing provider you can trust to protect your roof and take care of you.
For more information, you can reach Watkins Construction & Roofing at 601-488-3179. We service areas in Jackson, Flowood, Clinton, and Ridgeland, MS.