Red Cedar Shakes Types: A Complete Guide

When it comes to natural, durable roofing materials, red cedar shakes are a popular choice for homeowners and builders alike. Known for their rustic beauty, weather resistance, and long lifespan, red cedar shakes add character and charm to any structure. However, not all red cedar shakes are the same — they come in different types, each offering unique characteristics in terms of appearance, quality, and performance. Understanding the various red cedar shake types is essential for choosing the right option for your specific roofing or siding needs.

For homeowners seeking natural and charming roofing material options, red cedar shakes stand out as one of the premier choices. Their timeless beauty, durability, and energy efficiency have long made them popular choices – but do you know about all of their different varieties and which will best meet the requirements for your project? Here’s everything you need to know!

This comprehensive guide examines everything there is to know about red cedar shakes – their types, benefits, and pricing insights are discussed to ensure the right decision can be made for each scenario.

What Are Red Cedar Shakes?

Red cedar shakes are crafted from Western Red Cedar trees and Are Often Split Rather Than Sawn for an attractive natural aesthetic suited for homes featuring rustic, traditional or craftsman designs.

Key Benefits of Red Cedar Shakes:

• Superior Natural Insulation.
• Resistance against insects, moisture damage and UV light.
• Attractive appearance with natural aging process (they turn silver-gray with age).
• Longevity (up to 50 years with proper care).
• Eco-Friendly renewable material.

Red cedar shakes come in various grades and styles that cater to aesthetic preferences and functional needs, meeting every aesthetic preference as well as functional need.

Red Cedar Shake Types:

Here are various red cedar shake types, with each offering unique benefits suitable for specific uses – let’s explore them more in-depth:

1. Hand-Split and Resawn Shakes:

These shakes feature split edges on one side and sawn edges on the other, creating an irregular yet semi-uniform aesthetic.

Features:

• Thick, rugged appearance.
• Ideal for traditional or historic homes.
• Highly durable and weather-resistant.

Best For:

When looking to create bold yet semi-uniformity or texture.

2. Tapersawn Shakes:

Tapersawn shakes are cut on both sides to achieve a sleeker and more refined appearance than hand-split shakes while still preserving natural cedar charm.

Features:

• Uniform thickness.
• Tailored tailor look compared to hand-split options.
• Still maintain the charm of nature’s charm.

Best For:

Homes wanting an effective balance between rustic beauty and modern neatness will benefit.

3. Heavy Hand-Split Shakes:

Hand-split shakes can offer maximum durability due to extra insulation properties while remaining weather resistant, as they contain more joints between their thicker sections than their counterparts, which allows easier handling. Split shakes are offered.

Features:

• Maximum durability.
• Extra insulation properties.
• Better weather resistance through harsher climate conditions.

Best For:

Buildings located in areas prone to heavy snowfall, strong winds, or extreme weather.

4. Fire-Treated Cedar Shakes:

These shakes meet local building codes pertaining to fire resistance by being treated with fire retardant chemicals.

Features:

• Reduced fire risk.
• Ideal for regions susceptible to wildfires.
• These wood shakes come in both hand-split and tapersawn styles for your convenience.

Best For:

Stringent fire regulations in homes that may be at greater risk from wildfire.

5. Select Premium Grade Shakes:

Made of heartwood from cedar trees for maximum quality and consistency with fewer defects, longer lifespan, superior natural resistance against decay, and improved natural resilience against mold growth.

Features:

• Longer-lasting lifetime.
• Superior natural decay Resistance to decay.
• Natural Resistance natural resistance to decay that is available when made.

Best For:

Homeowners who want the best possible quality and aesthetics.

6. Common Grade Shakes:

These rustic looking shakes include more sapwood and knots compared to premium grades for an unfinished appearance at an economical cost

Features:

• Essentially, they provide more variation.
• Variation of appearance with shorter lifespans compared to premium grades.
• Come at more reasonable costs than premium options.

Best For:

Budget-conscious projects or decorative uses where longevity isn’t as critical.

Conclusion:

Selecting the suitable red cedar shake types depends on several considerations, such as budget, aesthetic preference, and local building codes. Hand-split or resawn shakes offer rustic charm; taper-sawn ones smooth out surface irregularities for an improved aesthetic, while heavy hand-split shakes provide maximum durabilityfire-treated premium-grade shakes provide even further protection and quality assurances.

Red cedar shakes add timeless elegance, energy efficiency, and natural charm to any home. When invested wisely and maintained regularly, these timeless roof coverings will last decades!

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