Aesthetic Options In Cedar Roofing
Many homeowners choose cedar roofing for its durability and resistance to harsh weather, but it’s also a great aesthetic choice. Cedar roofing systems come in shakes or shingles to suit the exterior of a certain home, and homeowners can also choose to add a color stain to complement a home’s paint color. In addition, homeowners can choose red or white cedar wood. Middletown roofing professionals have the knowledge and experience to advise homeowners on all cedar roofing options.
Cedar shakes and shingles are similar but have a slightly different aesthetic. Shakes come split from wood blocks, and they have more of a rugged appearance as opposed to shingles, which come sawn from wood blocks for a tailored, refined look. Shakes come hand-split and tapersawn, with hand-split shakes providing a more rustic appearance than tapersawn shakes. Shingles come in sawn and sanded varieties. Sanded shingles are smoother on the sides than sawn shingles, and they’re an ideal choice for homeowners who are seeking a refined aesthetic.
To achieve a desired look, homeowners can also choose the size of their cedar shakes or shingles.
Have a question regarding skylight installations or gutters? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ.
Shakes and shingles come in different widths, lengths and thicknesses, but shakes offer more size options than shingles. Shakes are also more ideal for homeowners who long for a handcrafted appearance. Shingles usually come in lengths of 16, 18 and 24 inches and widths of 3 to 14 inches while shakes come in widths of 3 to 8 inches and lengths anywhere from 18 to 24 inches.
The two main types of cedar, red and white cedar, have an attractive natural look, but some homeowners choose to apply a color stain or paint. Solid color stains still reveal the wood’s texture and characteristics while paints completely cover the natural grain. Homeowners can choose from a wide array of colors, from blues and greens to reds and plum.
Semi-transparent stains enhance cedar without being completely opaque. These stains come in latex and oil-based varieties. Oil based semi-transparent stains offer a greater number of color choices, and they’re more durable than latex semi-transparent stains.
Bleaching oil speeds up the aging process of cedar. As cedar ages, it changes to a silvery grey color that many find aesthetically appealing, and bleaching oil contains a grey pigment and chemical that accelerates aging. For a natural finish to cedar, water-repellent preservative and cedar wood oils work well. Transparent stains also help to preserve cedar’s natural color. Have a question regarding new roofs or gutters? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ.
Term explained by roofing contractor Fortified Roofing, Middletown NJ:
Tapersawn
The Cedar Shingle and Shake Bureau uses the term tapersawn as a trade name for shakes that have been sawn on both sides. This is as opposed to hand-split shakes, which retain a rugged appearance.
Question and answer courtesy of Fortified Roofing, local roofing company of Middletown NJ:
Is red or white cedar higher in quality?
Red cedar is higher in quality than white cedar. It contains tannic acid, which is a component that acts as a natural preservative. Red cedar has a strong resistance to rot and insect damage, and it stays resilient in many different climates. Certain types of white cedar, however, also provide good stability and resist decay.
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