3 Benefits of Cedar Shakes and Shingles for Roofing

If you’re looking for durability and aesthetic superiority, you simply can’t go wrong with cedar. When it comes to roofing, cedar shakes and shingles offer not only excellent resistance to severe weather conditions, but their exceptional beauty makes them an extremely popular choice for Atlanta homeowners.

1. Exceptional Beauty

To most people, cedar shakes and shingles are interchangeable but to the discerning eye, the difference between the two is evident right away. Cedar shingles are smoother and have a uniform look that will span over your entire roof surface. Shakes, on the other hand, have a more rugged look and each piece would look slightly different than the other. The difference between the two is due to the different manufacturing processes. Up until 50 years ago, shingles were sawn from a single block of wood, while the shakes were split off by using a mallet. Currently, manufacturers use special machines to saw the shingles smooth on both sides, while shakes are still done by hand in some cases.

2. Durability

As cedar is well-known for its durability, cedar shakes and shingles are a popular roofing option among Atlanta homeowners looking for minimal maintenance. Additionally, cedar weights up to 75% less than other common roofing materials and wood roofing adds up not only weight but structural strength to the roof which is an excellent choice if you leave in an earth-quake prone areas. What’s more, cedar shakes have superior resistance to mold and water which ensures Georgia’s rain and weather condition won’t affect the roofing of your Atlanta home. In fact, cedar has twice the thermal resistance of asphalt and 8 times that of concrete which makes cedar shakes and shingles one of the best roofing materials you can purchase.

3. Energy Efficient

Cedar shingles and shakes are highly resistant to hails and strong winds and have been shown to remain durable in hurricanes and snowstorms, as well as a range of other severe weather conditions. Thanks to the cedar natural insulation, cedar wood roofs are also energy efficient and enable you to save you on heating and cooling costs. This material sustainability is another major advantage – companies sourcing cedar shingles and shakes are diligent about the environment when harvesting red cedar and the material actually absorbs the carbon emissions rather than contributing to the greenhouse gases.

If you’re considering the best roofing option in terms of durability and aesthetics, think no more: cedar shingles and shakes provide excellent stability and strength, help you conserve on your heating costs and give your Atlanta home a gorgeous appearance for the years to come.