daka_j

Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:14 am

I live in Vancouver, BC area and need to re-roof my house (have several leaks, and roof was tuned up so many times before we got the place). I plan to get the pro to do the job. Currently I have cedar shakes and I am undecided to re-roof with Premium Heavy Resawn cedar shakes 3/4” x 24” or architectural 50 year asphalt fiberglass shingles. I understand that roof deck will need to be re-plywood if I go with shingles.

I am wondering what will give me the better quality and durability roof – shakes or asphalt. The cost is not an issue, I just want to have a piece of mind and not to re-reoof soon (plan to stay long at this place). There are couple high trees around the house as well. The current roof was on for 17 years and one before it for 17 years as well.

Your opinion what is better will be sincerely appreciated.

Master

Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:24 pm

With proper maintenance, you can easily get 50 years out of a cedar shake roof. You can also get asphalt shingles warranted for the rest of your life. Metal roofing will last the longest, with the right finish. Copper roofing can last forever as we know it.

QRFL

Fri Jul 22, 2005 1:43 am

here in san diego shakes got banned for almost all the county, due to last years big fire, if fire is not a risk in your area i like shakes too, if you mainten them well you get a lot out of them like Master said, what about termites high trees and shake roof could be a problem,composition shingles come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and warranties these days. i like the smell and look of a brand new shake roof ,but when it turns black nope, my personal choice over shakes and shingles , i go with shingles maybe grand canyon.

Master

Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:17 am

Thats where maintenance comes into play....the tannin leeches out of cedar shakes over time. An application of oxolic acid and a pressure wash around 900 psi will clean the dark off the shakes as well as open the wood up for receiving the new oils and stain. Have done a couple like this and they come out very good looking if not left to rot for too long before mainteneance.

Asphalt is pretty mych maint. free.

QRFL

Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:32 am

kool , you never stop learning ,however im done walking on wet shakes could get dangerous.

Pride_roofing

Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:14 am

Personally if I wanted the shake look i would go syntetic. I cant speel that word sorry. Asphalt with the same look Certainteed's Presidental SHake TL has just gone to Lifetime warranty and close to the same cost as shake but different colors and zero maintainance if done properly..

Master

Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:29 am

Some of these arch's will last WAY longer than the caulk used for sealing the flashings.