Wood shakes and wood shingles are a natural material made from cedar that is split by hand or sawn into shape. Some are sawn on one side and hand split on the other. Some are sawn on both sides. The result is a natural wood looking roof.
Wood shakes (and wood shingles) are manufactured from western red cedar, cypress, southern yellow pine and redwood trees. The most commonly used wood shake for roofing is western red cedar. Cedar shakes contain natural oils that make them naturally decay and insect resistant. Cedar shakes are also available pressure treated with fire retardants and chemical preservatives to increase fire resistance and help prevent premature rot and decay.Read More
Wood shake and shingles can be made into various shapes and stained colors for aesthetic purposes. Wood shake and wood shingle materials have minimum slope limitations of between 3" in 12" and 4" in 12".
Wood shake roofing systems are also environmentally friendly. The wood used for the roofing shakes is a naturally grown product from trees, not man made. When the time comes for a wood shake roof to be replaced, the old roof does not end up as toxic material in a land fill, wood shakes are biodegradable.
There are various grades of shakes that are manufactured for different purposes. Check with your CRC roofing contractor professional for detailed information about wood shakes and wood shingles, their application and flashing details.
NRCA's Steep Slope Roofing Manual and the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau provide information about shingle roof assemblies and recommended flashing at chimney's, roof edge rakes and gutters at roof edges.
Ice barrier roofing underlayment is required by the International Building Code in regions where ice forms at roof edges making a 'dam', causing water to back up under shingles and leak. Proper attic insulation and attic air ventilation can help eliminate water from leaking from melting snow due to heat entering the attic. The ice barrier membrane is required regardless if insulation and ventilation are correct. For Chicagoland, R-49 insulation is required by the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code.
The system has to be installed to the manufacturers installation instructions, the listing, where applicable, and the building code.
Visit the specific shingle membrane pages for more information.
Professional Chicagoland Roofing Council contractor roofing technicians understand the complexity of all types of roofing and get the installation done right the first time. Contact a CRC Contractor that has the equipment, workforce and technology to get your roof done right.