Red Cedar Shakes: Benefits, Installation, & Care Guide

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Red Cedar Shakes are characterized as wood shingle made of Western Red Cedar trees. These are popular for roofing since they are strong, beautiful and they also possess natural insulations. Moreover, they can easily be installed and their minimal maintenance cost makes them suitable for general use.

Table of Contents

What are Red Cedar Shakes?

Red cedar is one of the most preferred roofing materials due to its appealing looks, durability, and insulation, and wooden shingles referred to as red cedar shakes are made from the Western Red Cedar trees. It can long lasting, it could even last up to 50 years if well maintained and can give beauty to the outside of your home.

Other than the fact that it gives a certain outward appearance to the building cedar shake is known to provide good insulation especially in the hot summer months, hence keeping houses cooler, and in the cold winter months making them warmer. Maintenance is not needed for these items but it is advisable that they should be checked often and washed frequently to continue functioning.

Red Cedar Shakes Details

Red cedar shakes are special roofing materials made from Western Red Cedar trees. Such an attribute emanates from their natural beauty and long-lasting characteristics; hence, a rustic charm that goes in line with distinct architectural modes. These shakes are hand-split in order to obtain textured surface that is uneven thereby adding appeal to any building.

Interestingly, besides their aesthetic value, red cedar shakes provide excellent insulation for internal temperature control purposes. They can last longer than traditional shingles because of the presence of natural oils which makes them resistant to rotting, insects and moisture. Red cedar shakes need more maintenance than regular shingles; this is however not a loss as it comes along with durability and an appealing look.

It is also important to consider the thicknesses, exposure amounts and desired aesthetic values needed when thinking about acquiring red cedar shakes. To get the most out of them, they must be installed properly and cared for regularly.

Details:

1. Durability:

Consequently, and if looked after properly, red cedar shakes can last for half a century.

2. Beauty:

Red cedar shakes are naturally beautiful, which makes them an ideal choice for anyone who wants to add an elegant touch to the house. They come in different styles and colors.

3. Natural insulation:

Furthermore, red cedar shakes are known to possess excellent insulation properties that help keep your house cool during summer and warm during winter.

4. Easy to install:

Also, red cedar shakes are relatively not very difficult to put into practice. Anyone can install them starting from a professional roofing company to a homeowner who has some experience.

5. Easy to maintain:

Last but not the least, red cedar shakes can easily last many years without much need for red cedar shakes maintenance. Simply washing them and taking them to be checked on a disease condition is sufficient.

Red Cedar Shakes Types

It is critical to understand that there are many distinct types of red cedar shakes, including normal, thick, and double shakes, laminated shakes, hand split, machine split, and sawed type shakes. It is thus advisable to grasp the qualities and benefits of each in order to arrive at the most suited one for your residence.

1. Standard Shakes:

Most often seen are standard shakes as they are made from red cedar. Normally these shakes measure 18 inches long with a thickness of 3/4 inch. Standard shakes come in different widths although usually they are 6 inches wide.

2. Thick Shakes:

These are thicker compared to standard shakes because they are thick red cedar shakes. Usually, thick shakes measure 18 inches in length while their thickness is 1 inch. These may last for up to five decades since they have a longer life than most typical ones.

3. Double Shakes:

Nail two regular shakes together to produce one shake twice as thick as it should be referred to double shake. They can be about thirty-six inches long and with thickness reaching one and a half inches. With regards to durability standards, these kinds last for up to seventy-five years longer than common ones do.

4. Laminated Shakes:

One way of making laminated shakes is to glue many thin layers of cedar pieces together until a red cedar shake is formed. They are usually 18 inches long and approximately ¾ inches thick. Still, there’s an edge that the customary ones lack: Laminate ones can last up to nearly a century.

5. Hand-Split Shakes:

Red cedar hand-split shakes are some red cedar shingles that result from the splitting of a cedar log into thin pieces using human efforts rather than machines. They usually measure as long as 18 inches and have a thickness of 3/4 inch. Hand-split shakes are more expensive compared to machine split but they also last longer.

6. Machine–Split Shakes:

Red cedar machine-split shakes refer to those that come from machines which split a log of red cedar into small partitions. Their length is typically about eighteen inches with three quarters inch thick dimensions. Machine-split shakes cost less than hand split splits but they do not serve for many years before attaining total damage.

7. Sawed Shakes:

The sawed shakes typically cut out from the tree trunk called the cedar logs, which yield the Red Cedar Shake type. They usually measure approximately eighteen inches in length with each other’s size being three quarters of an inch thick. Sawed shakes happen to be the least costly type among various kinds of Red Cedar Shake but then they don’t prove durable ultimately either

Picking the Correct Kinds of Red Cedar Shakes

The choice that you will make on the variety of red cedar shakes will be determined by several factors, including your pocket, how cold or hot it is in your area and what you want to make your house look like.

Standard shakes are the cheapest option available and they are a good choice for homes in temperate climates.
Thick shakes are ideal for homes in areas with extreme winters or summers.
Double shakes are perfect for homes that require extra defense from outside.
Laminated shakes work well where energy efficiency is required.
Hand-split shakes provide traditional looking houses with their roofing needs.
Machine-split shakes can be used in budget homes

Red Cedar Shakes Cost

The difference in prices of red cedar shakes can be tremendous depending on such factors as: In that case you would be able to properly plan for expenses needed for your roofing project.

Factors That Influence The Price Of Red Cedar Shakes

1. Type of shake:

hand-split or standard or thick (cedar shakes are available in different price levels).

2. Grade:

Price depends on quality and appearance. Premium grades that have few defects are usually expensive.

3. Thickness:

It is common knowledge that thicker ones are pricier than thinner ones.

4. Region:

In some areas the local transportation costs and availability affect prices.

5. Installation:

Hiring experts is likely to increase total amount paid significantly for labor services.

Estimated Cost

You may spend an average of $3 to $12 per square foot on red cedar shakes, though prices are likely to vary. Nevertheless, this is strictly a ballpark figure and the actual amount will change depending on the above-mentioned factors.

Additional Costs

These are other costs that you might also want to consider in addition to the cost of shakes:

Underlayment: A substance used to waterproof your roof deck.
Flashing: Metal materials employed to seal chimneys, vents and other openings in the roofs.
Ventilation: Proper ventilation can aid roof health but at an additional cost.
Permits and inspections: Extra costs are possible due to local ordinances that necessitate permits and inspections.

Tips for Saving Money

Do market research: Compare different suppliers’ prices for better terms.
Consider alternatives: Evaluate if there are other types of roofing materials within your budget range and requirements.
DIY installation: By installing the shakes yourself instead of hiring others, it can save you money on labor charges.
opt for lower-grade shakes: Though high-grade shakes are classy; their low grades are pocket friendly.

By thoughtfully considering these variables and getting multiple quotes one can make good choices about his or her roofing project depending on his or her financial abilities.

How to Install Red Cedar Shakes?

Installing red cedar shakes can be a satisfying DIY project. However, it is vital to get it right in order to ensure durability and aesthetics of the roof. Follow this step-by-step guide.

Tools and Materials:

Cedar shingles
Roofing screws
Mallet
Tape measure
Chalk line marker or string
Safety gear (ladder, gloves, goggles)
Roofing felt or underlayment

Preparation:

Replace old asphalt roofing: In case you have an existing rooftop, remove all old asphalt tiles, nails and debris.
Check for any damages on the roof deck: Then restore any rot or damage that you find afterwards.
Install underlayment: This can be done either through laying down roofing felt or underlayment just to protect your roof deck more and make it waterproof.

Installation

1. Determine the Starter Course:

For the first row, which should be lower than the rest, identify and position the starter course on the roof deck.

2. Nail the Starter Course:

Use roofing nails to secure the starter course to the roof deck, ensuring it is firmly in place.

3. Overlap the Second Course:

Place the second course of shakes over the starter course. Ensure proper exposure (distance between shakes) and that the second course overlaps the first one.

4. Lay More Courses:

Continue laying additional courses of shakes, making sure each row is staggered. This arrangement not only enhances the roof’s appearance but also prevents water from stagnating.

5. Nail Down Shakes:

Secure each shake into position using roof nails or screws to ensure they are fixed properly.

6. Cut and Install Final Row:

Cut the shakes for the final row to fit along the edge of the roof, and install them carefully.

7. Install Flashing:

Apply metal flashing around sensitive areas such as chimneys and vents to protect these areas from water infiltration.

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.

Tips for success

It’s essential to put on appropriate safety gear like ladder, gloves, and goggles.
Get some help for easier and safer installation.
In case you are not familiar with complex roofs designs seek assistance from an experienced roofer.
Allow air circulation around your home so as not to retain moisture.
Undertake periodic inspections on your roof for signs of wear or damage.

Maintenance

Regular roof cleaning is necessary to clear debris and prevent moss from growing.
Check for cracked shakes and change them if any.
Reapply a water-resistant sealant after 5-7 years to retain the roof’s water resistance.

Follow these steps and recommendations in order to properly install red cedar shakes that will endure for years.

How to Repair Red Cedar Shakes?

Red cedar shakes are admired as a roofing material because they last long and are naturally beautiful. But any roof can be damaged over time, including the most enduring ones. Repairing the red cedar shakes immediately after you spot any damage is very important to avoid more damages or leaks.

Here’s how to repair Red Cedar Shakes:

Check your roof regularly. Doing this will enable you identify any damages in advance for you to be able to make repairs before it gets worse.
Remove any damaged shakes. Use a pry bar or hammer when removing any damaged shakes.
Measure and cut new shakes. Measure the destroyed shake areas then cut the replacement shakes accordingly.
Put the new shakes into place. Nail down the new shake using roofing nails.
Caulk the nails. This is essential in preventing water leakage into the inside of the roof.
Inspect your roof again once you are done with repairs. This helps ensure that repairs have been done correctly

Advantages of Red Cedar Shakes

Discover the advantages of red cedar shakes, such as durability, natural beauty, energy efficiency, sustainability, and minimal maintenance. Learn why this vintage roofing material is a popular choice among homeowners.