Up on the Rooftop
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Up on the Rooftop

The next time you walk outside, take a moment to gaze up at your roof. What do you see? Do you see even shingles that are all laying flat? Or do you see shingles that are starting to curl and that are covered in moss? You can tell a lot about the condition of your roof just by looking at it. If you are at all concerned about the state of your roof, then your first call should be to a roofing contractor. They can evaluate the situation and recommend repairs or replacement as needed. Learn more about roofing and roofing contractors here on this website.

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Up on the Rooftop

The Best Options For Roofing With Wood Shakes And Asphalt Shingle Alternatives

Lori Silva

Are you ready to install a new roof and replace asphalt shingles with more natural-looking materials? Today, wood shake and asphalt shingle alternatives can be durable residential roofing solutions. There are different situations where you will want to use natural shakes or some of the other alternatives. The following wood shake and asphalt shingle alternatives are some of the options you will want to consider if you are looking for new residential roofing installation options:

Natural Wood Shakes—There are a lot of options when it comes to natural wood shakes that you install on your home, but you want the best. Therefore, you want to avoid woods that are vulnerable to wear, rot, and insect damage. Some of the best natural wood shake materials to have installed on your home include:

  • White oak
  • Cedar
  • Cypress
  • Tropical wood (Ipe or Brazilian Cherry)

The tropical materials can sometimes be expensive, but they are extremely durable and resistant to weathering.

Pressure-treated Wood Shakes—The next option that you will want to consider to give your home a natural shake roof is a pressure-treated material. These are like other pressure-treated pine materials that are used for things like decks and outdoor landscaping structures. The pressure-treated shakes are designed to be more resistant to problems with fungus, insects, and rot that can quickly cause damage to a wood roof.

Fire-retardant Treated Shake Roofing—Today, wood shake materials can also be treated with a fire-retardant product. These shakes can provide protection from fire in warmer climates where there is a risk due to dry weather and wildfires. In some areas, the fire-retardant treatment shakes may be the only wood material that can be used to roof homes because other natural materials may be prohibited by local restrictions.

Synthetic and Metal Shake Materials—Synthetic shake materials can be made of waste from plastic and rubber that would normally go to the landfill. Synthetic shakes are more durable than natural shakes, and are more resistant to problems with insects and rot. In addition, there are also options for stamped metal shingles with a wood shake design. The metal shake materials are ideal if you want something more durable roofing that is also fire-resistant.

The wood shakes that you have installed on your home can be a great alternative to the asphalt shingles you have torn off. Contact a residential roofing service to talk to them about some of these wood shake and asphalt shingle alternatives for your home.


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