How to Know Before Installing Cedar Shingles

Cedar shingles used for roofing are well known due to their beauty in nature, strength as well as being friendly to the environment. They have been utilized since time immemorial giving them an ageless appearance that fits into diverse designs of buildings. In this extensive manual we shall cover all there is to know about cedar shingles including types, costs, installation and maintenance.

What are Cedar Shingles?

Cedar shingles refer to thinner pieces of wood obtained from cedars shaped like cones which serve as covering roofs. These products have numerous advantages such as being resistant to naturally occurring pests especially termites or carpenter ants since they cannot decimate them easily. Unlike thicker cedar shakes which look coarse, machine-cut cedar shingles offer more uniformity hence appealing for roofs over houses where they were not seen before. The charm of these products lies within nature; thus, their finish remains beautiful and natural throughout time into a silver-grey colour landscape pattern as it ages gracefully.

Cedar Shingles details:

• Material: Typically, Western Red Cedar, Eastern White Cedar or Alaskan Yellow Cedar are used to make cedar shingles each of them with its own unique qualities.
• Durability: Cedar shingles are naturally decay-resistant, moisture-resistant, and insect-resistant hence they have high durability lasting 30 to 40 years if taken care of well.
• Insulation: Cedar offers an excellent natural insulation thereby regulating temperatures indoors and saving on power bills.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Cedar shingles give a classic rustic appearance that greatly improves different architectures’ beauty.
• Environmental Impact: It is a renewable resource known for its sustainability; cedar is biodegradable in addition to being friendly towards our environment.

How to Measure Cedar Shingles?

When you want to install cedar shingles correctly, it is important that you take measurements on your roof. Here is how to go about it:

1. Measure Roof Sections:

The various sections of the roof should be measured out. For each section measure length and width of that particular part of the roof by multiplying these two dimensions together; this will give you the area in square feet.

2. Calculate Total Area:

Add up all the areas from every section of your roof together so as to obtain its total square footage.

3. Account for Waste:

Also include waste allowance in your calculation: To account for wastage, cutting and overlap add between 10-15% more onto your overall measured area.

How many Cedar Shingles in a Bundle?

Cedar shingles are typically sold in bundles, with each bundle covering about 25 square feet when installed at a standard 5-inch exposure. The exact number of shingles in a bundle can vary depending on the size and thickness of the shingles, but a typical bundle contains between 70 and 100 shingles.

1. Cedar Shingles Types

All of them are made differently but come with individual advantages:

2. Western Red Cedar Shingles:

This type is characterized by its beautiful colours acting as rich tones that can range anywhere between light amber and deep honey brown making them long lasting against decay.

3. Eastern White Cedar Shingles:

Generally this shingle will tend towards lighter colours such as pale yellow or even light grey depending on how it was made. It occurs naturally resistant to pests like insects while also having some greyish hues on its surface as it ages

4. Alaskan Yellow Cedar Shingles:

This kind would seem densest and strongest being distinguished from the rest due to a yellowish appearance. In terms of durability against weather conditions, it stands out as the best choice for extreme climates unable to bear other wood types because of pests’ attack risk.

Cedar Shingles Colors

When it comes to naturally eye-catching cedar shingles, various shades are available depending on what kind of cedar you’re dealing with. For example, western red cedar is rich in warm reddish-brown that can become darker as the years pass by. On the other hand, white cedar starts out as light amber or pale yellow but eventually develops into light grey or silver shades after going through climatic conditions like rain and sun. In addition, Alaskan yellow cedar appears pale yellow at first sight only for its colour tone to change and become softer grey over time. There are several people who choose to stain their own cedar shakes in order to preserve or improve their natural look.

 

Cedar Shingles Cost ( Cedar Shingles Cost Per Square Foot )

The cost of cedar shingles can vary widely based on the type of cedar, quality, and region. Below is a table summarizing the average costs associated with different types of cedar shingles:

Shingle Type	Cost per Bundle	Cost per Square Foot	Installation Cost	Total Cost for Average Roof (2,000 sq ft)
Western Red Cedar Shingles	$80 – $120	$3.20 – $4.80	$4,000 – $7,000	$14,400 – $23,600
Eastern White Cedar Shingles	$70 – $110	$2.80 – $4.40	$3,500 – $6,500	$13,000 – $21,800
Alaskan Yellow Cedar Shingles	$90 – $130	$3.60 – $5.20	$4,500 – $7,500	$15,200 – $25,200

Advantages of Cedar Shingles

Cedar shakes have many advantages over other types of roofs:

• Natural Beauty: These organic pieces are synonymous with an ageless style which makes them ideal for improving the beauty of a house.
• Durability: Cedar wood does not rot nor attracts bugs hence lasts long on top.
• Insulation: Thus for temperature regulation in homes they help save on electricity bills through heat retention during winter and heat dispersion during summer.
• Environmentally Friendly: As a renewable resource cedar tree can be grown again; thus you recycle or turn it into compost when it dies out.

• Light in Weight: Consequently, one will not have to worry about overloading their house by using cedar shingles.

Is a Cedar Shingles cheaper than Asphalt Shingles?

Let us consider the following:

• Initial Cost : In comparison with asphalt shingles, cedar ones tend to be pricey.
• Durability : Cedar shakes have a longer life span, which could make up for the high purchase price.
• Energy Savings :The insulations of cedar roofs are quite effective, reducing energy bills due to less cooling and heating requirements.
• Enhanced Beauty : Cedar shingle roofs are natural looking and impactful thereby enhancing your house’s worth.

Are Cedar Shingles Better than Asphalt Shingles?

• Durability: Cedar shingles have better lastingness and capacity to withstand weather than asphalt shingles.
• Aesthetics: Cedar shingles have a natural style that lasts forever while asphalts look uniform.
• Environmental Impact: On the other hand, cedar shakes are green because they decompose naturally unlike asphalt which pollutes landfill sites.
• Cost: Though cedar shingle roof is costly during purchase period, its durability and ability to conserve energy make it a good investment for future generations.

How to Install Cedar Shingles?

If you’re not sure of your DIY skills, it’s better to call a professional .They have the experience and techniques to do it right.

It takes precise approaches and great light for one to lay cedar shingles successfully on a rooftop. Installation involves several processes as follows:

1. Roof Preparation:

Start by taking off any previous material used on your roof before checking for any damaged parts on your decking board. This means that they will need fixing if any area is damaged.

2. Underlayment Installation:

Cover your roof deck with felt or any other appropriate underlayment so as to guard it against moisture.

3. Start with Starter Course:

Begin from eaves with starter course of shingles sticking up only a bit at edge so that rain runs away while coming from topmost surface

4. Placing Shingles:

Work your way up from the bottom edge of the roof laying one shingle at a time with an overlap of approximately 5 inches between two adjacent courses of shingles. Also ensure that they are staggered in order not to have continuous joints.

5. Nailing:

Secure them using nails that are resistant to corrosion placing these nails around ¾ inches on either side edge and 1 inch above butt line.

6. Ridge Cap:

Complete by installing ridge cap shingles along the peak of the roof for a watertight seal.

How to Repair Cedar Shingles?

Fixing cedar roofing shingles require to change the spoilt ones and addressing the issues that came first.On this note we have to consider how to do it:

1. Identify Damaged Shingles:

One for deep enough structural problems.

2. Remove the Bad Shingles:

Then use a as thin as possible flat bar (or shingle chisel) which has been set aside for such repair jobs in order to pull shingles off gently while making sure all nails attaching it are removed completely out.

3. Install the Replacement Shingle:

After this sliding the new shingle should go into where there is enough space and be placed right next to other ones of similar type before getting nailed firmly.

4. Seal the Repair:

To prevent water infiltration along its edges place some roof sealant overhangs thus making them water-resistant (water-tight).

Can You Put Cedar Shingles Over Asphalt Shingles?

The following reasons make it not advisable; however, one can do but should not go for this option:

• Weight: Cedar shingles laid over top asphalt would make the roof heavier, thus leading to possible structural problems.
• Ventilation: Because of the ability of asphalt shingle roofs to retain some moisture in them, these types of houses suffer greatly from decay due to lack of ventilation across their roof surfaces, which ultimately kills their cedar counterparts.
• Proper Fit: Installing cedar shingles over unevenly laid asphalt may lead to misalignment of the roof; therefore decreasing how effective such roofs can be.

What Types of Warranties Are Available for Cedar Shingles?

Cedar shingles generally come with two distinct warranties:

1. Material Warranty:

Covers flaws in cedar shingles themselves; this usually lasts from about 20 to 30 years.

2. Installation Warranty:

Covers the labour aspect of installation which is often given by the builder usually ranging from 5-10 years.

Certain manufacturers might present prolonged guarantees particularly if these shingles have been treated with preservatives that increase their resistance against wear.

Will Cedar Shingles Increase the Value of My Home?

Absolutely yes, using cedar shingles for your house can improve its value because of their charm from nature, strength and friendliness towards the environment:

• Aesthetic Appeal: Cedar shingles make one’s home appealing to those who are considering buying it.
• Durability: Cedar shingle’s long lifespan will make it an asset as expensive repairs and replacements will not be required.
• Energy Efficiency: If we consider that cedar has natural insulative traits; then this means our energy costs would go down which is an additional bonus on top of all other reasons.
• Environmental Impact: People who culture environmental consciousness through their purchases may actually pay more for houses with sustainably sourced roofing materials like cedar shingles.

Can You Paint Cedar Shingles?

Certainly, cedar shingles can be painted, yet to do so takes meticulous preparation and oversight:

• Surface Preparation: The shingles should be cleaned nicely to remove dirt, mildew and whatever paint remains. It is recommended that you let them dry completely before proceeding to the painting stage.
• Paint Selection: Choose an exterior paint of high quality that is meant for woods specifically so that it permits breathing through which water gets away from within it.
• Application: A primer needs to be applied first and then two coats of colouring are necessary with each one allowed enough time to dry before moving onto the next.
• Maintenance: Painted cedar roofs may call for more frequent care since the colouring can chip off or come off completely as time goes by particularly when subjected to extreme climates like heavy rains or hailstones.

Conclusion

Natural beauty, durability and ecology make cedar shingles an excellent option for most homeowners desiring to improve on their houses’ appearances and permanence levels. Although these materials may require a higher initial cost than other roof coverings options, cedar shingles have benefits like long life term, energy efficiency and ageless look that makes it worth spending on. Regardless if you are planning to put up a new roof or just keeping it in shape, then there is nothing more versatile than cedar shingle roofs which are also sustainable.

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