Contents:
Factors That Affect the Condition of Cedar Shingles
What If My Cedar Shingles Begin To Cup or Curl
What's Going on With My Cedar Shakes?
Choose Custom Shingles for Your Roofing Needs
Wooden shingle roofs are incredibly beautiful. Whether you have a country farmhouse or a little cottage in the woods, wooden shingles may seem like the perfect roofing solution to maintain your home's character and charm.
However, wooden shingle roofing requires a good deal of routine care and, more importantly, careful construction. If you're not a carpentry DIY expert, applying wooden shingles to your roof is a project that will require professional help and maintenance down the road!
There are many different types of wooden shingles, and among the most popular are cedar shingles. Cedar is a beautiful wood acquired from the cedar tree, which is a common coniferous tree native to the United States. Cedar shakes are normally applied to house roofs or sides, creating a beautiful, scale-like effect. If applied and maintained correctly, a cedar roof can last 30 to 50 years or more.
Factors That Affect the Condition of Cedar Shingles
There are a number of factors that determine how your cedar shakes will hold up over the years. Some of the major factors include:
Climate and weather patterns
The amount of rainfall
Exposure to sunlight
Quality of construction
The quality of the shingles
Unforeseen damages
Exposure to overhead debris
While cedar shakes aren't indestructible, they can certainly last a few decades with the proper care.
What If My Cedar Shingles Begin to Cup or Curl?
Some cedar shake curling and cupping is completely normal after a long period of time, especially for thinner cedar shakes. Since cedar is a natural material, cedar shakes are fairly susceptible to weathering, a process which is accelerated in areas where it frequently rains and storms.
While some roof shingle curling is normal, excessive curling, cupping, bowing or warping may be a sign that your cedar shakes are getting too old and need replacement or that they were not properly installed.
What's Going on With My Cedar Shakes?
If you're curious why your cedar shakes are starting to curl, cup, bow or warp excessively, here are common reasons for each problem:
Curling or Cupping Shingles: Curling and cupping of shingles occurs when nails are improperly placed during construction. This condition sometimes compromises the integrity of the roof and requires professional repair.
Bowing: Bowing is a common condition in wide shingles that absorb too much moisture over time. The moisture causes them to bow and crack near their centers. This condition requires repair to preserve the roof's structural integrity.
Warping: Warping refers to any type of distortion, the most common being cupping and curling. In general, warping is a natural consequence of weathering and other cedar wear and tear.
These problems are typically easy to repair if you take care of them early.
Choose Custom Shingles for Your Roofing Needs
If you're looking for a reliable, professional wooden shingle roofing service, contact Custom Shingles today and learn about our legacy of providing excellent products and services!