Add Years To Your Cedar Shake Roof

By Author: Jeff Krall
Total Articles: 4762
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Cedar shake roofs have been used on homes in North America for centuries. It is one of the most beautiful and natural finishes you can use to enhance the exterior of your home. It gives any house a warm and rustic appearance. The natural beauty of cedar wood is emboldened by its durability and higher thermal resistance factor when compared to other roofing materials. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture reports that roofs with material consisting of "real wood" have higher insulation ratings when matched up against asphalt, laminate, fiberglass or wood-substitute roofing products. The wood fibers function as an additional layer of insulation. This feature helps to lower the expense of heating and cooling your home.

The life cycle of the roof depends on the geographical location and the variety of the elements. Generally speaking, a top level cedar shake roof that is properly installed and maintained should have a useful life of about 50 years. Despite an abundance of excellent features, these roofs are not maintenance-free. Just like plumbing, heating and other systems in your home, a cedar shake roof ...
... requires a regular maintenance schedule. Many of the natural elements are enemies of cedar wood, including rain, sun, wind and ice and snow. Trees, algae moss and fungi can also reap harm on cedar roofing.

Water drains away the natural chemicals that are contained in the cedar. The loss of these valuable preservatives permits water to penetrate the natural cracks and crevices of the wood. As with any wood, water causes the cedar to contract and expand. Another concern is that water tends to get underneath the shakes. Gradually, it works down to the roof sheathing, which can lead to rot and decay. If this problem is not solved, it can eventually lead to interior damaged to insulation, ceilings, walls, floors or your electrical system.

Cedar shake roofs are also affected by the rays of the sun. Sunlight heats up the surface of cedar, which breaks down its cellular composition over time. Eventually, you will start noticing a "graying." Some individuals mistakenly believe this is a sign of "maturing" cedar wood. What they are seeing is visual evidence of deterioration of the cedar shake roof.

Fungi, moss and algae are actually live organisms that can grow on cedar wood shakes. This can occur due to moisture, a lack of sunlight or issues with proper drainage. Moss plants its roots into the cedar shakes; this attracts even more moisture to the surface of the roof. Algae also contain a good amount of moisture. If left untreated, this growth and the accompanying moisture will dramatically reduce the useful life of your roof.

To get the most out of your cedar shake roof, it is important to have an ongoing maintenance program. This will ensure that you enjoy the beauty and long-life for which they are prized. You can start by conducting a visual inspection of roof. You'll need to determine if the roof is in need of treatment to enhance its appearance. In some cases, you made need to have an expert repair and restore the roofing system. Severely neglected roofs may need to be completely replaced; needless to say, this expensive solution can be avoided with proper preventative maintenance. You should keep in mind that one of the best preventative maintenance tasks is to make sure that your cedar roof can adequately dry out after a rainfall.

You should keep it free of moss, algae, fungi and debris from trees. As stated above, this rubbish has a tendency to trap and hold moisture. Tree branches should also be properly trimmed. This allows the roof to breathe and enables air to adequately circulate above the roof. To clean the roof, hot water, a cleanser specifically made for the task and a soft brush is the best method. Many people will be tempted to power-wash the wood. However, it is important to remember that cedar shakes are made of softwood, power-washing may actually cause damage. Once the roof is properly clean and allow to dry, it should also be treated with a preservative. This will restore valuable chemicals and extend the life of your roof.
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At Cedar Renew we provide a means to preserve the life and beauty of your cedar shakes in a way that is safe for the environment. To learn more about cedar care and associated products and information, visit online today.