Wood Shingles & Shakes

Wood shingles and shake roofs are beautiful but expect more maintenance compared to an asphalt roof.

Wood shingles and shakes usually come from red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar, or Eastern white cedar. These evergreens produce wood that is dimensionally-stable and naturally resistant to rot and insect attack.

The main difference between shingles and shakes is that shakes are split from the log and have a rough, random texture; shingles have a smoother surface because they’re sawed. A wood roof is expensive and requires extra skill to install. That’s why most people avoid installing this type of roof unless they’re dealing with a historic house.