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Repair & Replace Cedar Shake or Shingle Siding

A shake is a wooden shingle made from split logs. Shake siding is a common contemporary siding option because it is a natural product that stands up well over time and has a rustic aesthetic appearance. Shake siding is also relatively simple to work with and install, even if the installation process can take a little while. Shake siding comes from several different types of wood.

Siding is placed on the wooden frame of a home to protect it from wind and weather, water damage, rot and insect infestation. The siding on a home also contributes to its curb appeal and value. Wood shake and shingle siding should last about 30 years if you treat it right. When you are in need of repair or replacement of cedar shake or shingle siding, Roof Doctor, Inc. will be there for you! We will examine the damaged pieces of your siding for signs of rot, insects, mildew or mold.

Properties

  • Cedar is a natural wood product. Because it naturally repels insects and protects against wood rot, it has traditionally been chosen for siding. It also insulates and serves as a sound barrier.

Cost

  • Cedar is more expensive product than vinyl both in the cost of material and installation of the product. The price of cedar is affected by the grade of the wood and the cut of the boards. In addition to the wood, cedar requires several materials to protect it, such as waterproofing, primer, and stain or paint.

Durability

  • Cedar is a natural wood and if properly maintained, repainted, it can easily last up to 100 years. A common issue is woodpeckers attraction to cedar. Holes are pecked and other birds may live in those holes, until they're sealed. Cedar si sometimes preferred over vinyl because it won't dent or chip and vinyl has the propensity to buckle or dry out from excessive heat.

Maintenance

  • Cedar should be treated every 3 to 5 years with a waterproofing sealant, a primer and a new top coat of paint or stain and is another reason why it can be preferred over vinyl as vinyl should be hosed off yearly and if debris is still evident or the vinyl is heavily textured, and usually has to be scrubbed with a brush. Keep up on the sealants (about every 5 years) and control mildew, or you'll be replacing shingles more often than every 30 years.

Replacement and Repair

  • If a portion of the siding becomes damaged, a saw will remove any cedar that needs to be replaced. as with vinyl a special tool, called a zip tool, is required to release vinyl siding from the adjoining piece to replace it.

Types of Wood used for Siding:

Redwood

  • Redwood is another common shake siding wood. Besides appearing slightly different in color, redwood is very similar to cedar in composition and is naturally insect repelling.

Pine

  • The type of wood used for shake siding often depends on what types of wood are available locally. For instance, in Scandinavia and Central Europe shake shingles are commonly made from the very prevalent pine (Pinus sylvestris). In the U.S. shake shingles are also made from pine when available and desirable. Like cedar wood, pine is resistant to insects and common decay, both important qualities in a shake shingle, which will last for 30 to 40 years in the right climate and with the proper care.

Cypress

  • Cypress trees are coniferous trees that are used for shake siding, especially in northern temperate regions where they are primarily found. Cypress wood is very durable and resists decay due to an oil called cypressine that is produced within the wood and acts as a natural preservative.

Other Wood Siding Options

  • Aside from shake shingle siding, wood is commonly used for other types of siding, including plywood, clapboard, hardboard/composition board, plank and others.
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