This manufacturing technique provides the characteristic rustic, rough-hewn texture and slight irregularity of a wood shake.Ĭedar shakes have four main grades as defined by the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau: Unlike wood shingles which are sawn to precise dimensions, wood shakes are usually made by hand or machine split. Life expectancy: Cedar and redwood shingles will last between 20 to 30 years if properly maintained and not located in damp wooded areas.Ĭost: Wood shingles cost more than asphalt shingles and can range from $350 to $450 per square (100 square feet of roof area) furnished and installed in 2016 dollars. Over time, they will develop a patina of soft grey. Unsealed wood shingles may experience rotting, warping or splitting. Maintenance required: low maintenance, however softwood species such as pine require special installation and treatment to minimize weathering problems. As a result, for roof pitches of between 5:12 to 12:12, a 16" 5X shingle will have between 5" to 3-1/2" of exposure an 18" Perfection can have 4" to 5-1/2" exposure and a 24" Royal will have between 5-1/2" and7-1/2" of exposure. As the roof pitch increases, so will the exposure of the weathered surface. This can vary by roof pitch, shingle length and shingle grade. Part of selecting the correct wood shingle includes selecting the correct amount of exposed surface the wood shingle presents to the weather. Some wood species that are prone to wood rot (such as pine) will require special installation and rot treatment to minimize weathering problems. Wood species less commonly used than red cedar include other rot-resistant options such as white cedar, redwood, and cypress (yellow cedar). In addition to being a roofing option, wood shingles can also be used as an exterior wall siding. Wood shingles are most commonly made from red cedar due to red cedar's availability and natural resistance to rot. They can go by other names such as "perfections," "fivex," "5X" and "royals" and are precisely cut and sawn into specific sizes. Wood shingles provide some of the most beautiful natural roofing options for your home. Life expectancy: The range of lifespan for asphalt shingles varies considerably depending on the quality of the shingle, but properly installed, asphalt shingles can last 15 to 40+ years.Ĭost: Asphalt shingles can range from $180 (for strip shingles) to $400 (for dimensional laminated shingles) per square (100 square feet of roof area) furnished and installed in 2016 dollars. They may also be subject to environmental damage from mold, algae, and fungus if in a shady or wooded location.
ASPHALT TEXTURE ROOF CRACK
However, over time roof maintenance will be required as the shingles can curl, crack and be subject to granule erosion. Maintenance required: Initially asphalt shingles will not require much maintenance. The dimensional laminated shingle has multiple layers of tabs to create texture and dimension to the shingle. The most common strip shingle is the three-tab strip shingle. The strip shingle is a strip of shingle material (usually three times the length to height in proportion) with cutouts or tabs. Styles of asphalt shingles come in two varieties, the "strip" shingle and the "dimensional laminated" shingle. If you’re concerned about fire, consider installing fiberglass shingles. They are less environmentally "friendly" since more asphalt goes into them during manufacturing. They are then covered in mineral granules for a wear surface. Organic shingles are the most durable but can be prone to fire. Fiberglass base shingles have glass and fiber with asphalt on top to make them waterproof as well. Organic base shingles are made of roofing felt or paper saturated with asphalt, making them waterproof. First used in 1901, asphalt shingles are durable, affordable and come in a variety of textures and colors. The Spruce Home Improvement Review BoardĪsphalt shingles are a very popular roof material for American homes.