The Basics of Cedar Shingles
When the time comes to put a new roof on your home, there are so many different choices to make including asphalt shingles, various metal roofs and cedar shingles. While many people tend to think of the cedar shingle as something very old fashioned and overtly expensive, they can actually end up saving you money over the long run as well as being very aesthetically pleasing on most homes. The majority of these shingles are cut from the red cedar trees of North America and are ideal for those looking for a natural and environmentally friendly home.
One of the best things about using real cedar shingles for your roof is that they are naturally weather resistant making them ideal roofing material for a large percentage of the world’s different climates. The most common shingle is the red cedar one, used because red cedar is the densest and soaked with tannic acid which, according to most experts acts as a natural preservative. This gives them a much longer lifespan with less maintenance. To help them last longer they are generally dipped in creosote to help protect them and add the rich color that people tend to love.
For those who live in coastal areas white cedar shingles are used more often, as the red cedar ones tend to turn black when exposed to salt are and coastal weather. Also the white shingles tend to be significantly less than the red, although this does not seem to have much of an effect on the popularity of the red shingles. You will find that in the coastal areas of New England the white cedar shingle is the shingle of choice for Nantucket style cottages and bungalows.
In recent years many people have turned to vinyl imitation shingles and while they may outlast real cedar shingles, they lack the beauty and insulating factor of real cedar shingles. In many cases the artificial shingles come with warranties in excess of 50 year they still come up lacking in appearance. One other thing to consider when looking at using real cedar is that if the roof is laid correctly, it will produce one of the most weatherproof roofs possible. A good cedar roof can withstand winds over 200 mph and the massive hailstorms that are so common to the Pacific Northwest.
With normal care and maintenance, you can expect your cedar shingles to last for several decades. If you fail to take the proper care of them you may have problems that can lead to early failure. They are also exceptionally fire resistant and as long as you keep them well treated are resistant to insects and most fungi.
If you are considering replacing your old roof with a new environmentally friendly roof made of cedar shingles, you need to contact Direct Cedar Supplies. Here you will find a wide selection of shingles and shakes in a variety of colors and styles available for your home. From shingles for your roof to shakes for your walls you will find what you need all in one location ready to be delivered directly to your home.
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