About Wood Shingle Roofing

One of the roofing materials commonly used is wood shingles. They are made from western red cedar which is very strong and resistant to insect damage. Also, some are made from preservative-treated pine.

Wooden shingles and shakes come in different shapes and sizes. They have varying lengths and widths. The main difference between shingles and shakes is that, shingles are smooth whereas shakes are rough and uneven. But they give a very good antique and a rustic look.

The age of wood shingle roofs is between 15 to 40 years and the factors that determine their age are: the weather conditions of your local area, their exposure and the slope of the roof. As on steep roofs, rain water, ice and snow will not collect easily, so they tend to last longer.

If your roof is leaking, or you suspect you have cracked or damaged shingles caused by a recent severe storm check your roof for curled, broken, or split shingles. Wind and rain can erode shingles and cause them to lift from the roof. You can also go into your attic and look for signs of water” either dampness or stains.

You can easily repair a shingle that is lifted from the roof. Re-nail it and close it with the cement. Closing the gap between the two pieces to repair a split shingle is a decent enough option. However, cracked and broken shingles are not repairable. It is advised to replace them at once.

One should never climb up his roof for any work in bad weather or if the roof is very steep. Even if the roof is a little wet, avoid going there to avoid any kind of accidents. It is always recommended to choose a rather warm and a dry day to go onto your roof for inspections or any minor repair work.

Wood shingles develop sticky moss on itself during the moist climates, especially below the trees which provide heavy shade. One suitable solution can be cutting the tree so that sunlight can help to eliminate the cause. However using power washer with hot water and fungicide (by the power washing specialist) to remove the moss is always a fall back.

Limit how much you walk on your roof to prevent causing more damage. If you have any doubts about the safety of going onto your roof, call a roofing contractor to do the work.