header-tagline
800-678-7815
316-262-4758

The Popularity of Shake Shingles In Residential Roofing

There was a time when cedar wood shakes and shingles were one of the few roofing materials available to the consumer but they have long been a favorite roofing material here in the Midwest. From Nebraska to Texas and from Colorado to Missouri, people love the look of a wood roof. From the bright yellow-orange of the freshly exposed wood upon installation to the weatherd gray patina that eventually sets in, the cedar shake roof has been a staple of residential, new home construction for decades. Wood shakes are frequently chosen because of their aesthetic appeal, ability to blend a structure into its environment, their good insulation properties, and the longevity they provide.

Aside from their aesthetic appeal, they offer a whole host of practical advantages:

  • Eco-friendliness. Cedar shakes are environmenally friendly and they can be turned into residential mulch when they are removed.
  • Durability. Normally warrantied for 20-25 years, if properly installed, maintained and restored, a cedar shake roof can last as long as 50 years.
  • Weather resistant, standing up to variations in temperature and freeze-thaw cycles and they are also earthquake resilient.
  • Hardiness, they are resist mildew and resist bugs.

But cedar shakes have drawbacks too:

  • A cedar shake or shingle roof costs more that roofs made from other synthetic materials.
  • Cedar roofs must be treated to make them fire-retardant, using products specifically approved for cedar.
  • A cedar roof must be installed correctly. A wood roof needs to "breathe" and it must include a substrate that allows for air circulation.
  • Communities are continuing to restrict the use of cedar shakes in residential housing codes because of the higher chance of flammability, and recent droughts in the Midwest have communities concerned about the roofing material.

Consumers Want the Look of Cedar Shakes with Less Investment and More Safety

People want the LOOK of a shake shingle roof without the cost, maintenance and risk of fire. So what is the solution? One product that we like is both realistic and durable; composite shake shingles developed by DaVinci Roofscapes. DaVinci Roofscapes has made a polymer roofing system that has the same residential curb-appeal of a natural cedar shake shingle. It has the lasting beauty and structural integrity of a shake shingle in a roof tile. For those who desire the natural appearance of hand-split shake shingles or machine-sawn shake, their composite shake shingles are reminiscent of the texture of natural cedar, but with unsurpassed durability and a life cycle savings of up to 50% compared to natural shake roofing. DaVinci utilizes a proprietary state-of-the-art engineered polymer to deliver durability and beauty for years to come. They are a beautiful solution for replacing your residential shake shingle roof.

A Synthetic Cedar Shake Solution

It's easy to see that the authentic appearance, durability, and lifetime cost advantages of DaVinci synthetic roof tiles - plus a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty - add up to an exceptional value for any discerning homeowner. If you love the look of a cedar shake shingle, but you are concerned about the the drawbacks that they involve, give us a call and let us talk to you about the DaVinci product. We'll be happy to come and give you an estimate on your residential roofing project.

Published in Residential

Damage to your roof can not just occur during a thunderstorm but can also occur during wind storms.  If  you live in areas that are prone to wind storms homeowners often find themselves replacing roofs before their time. Reports show that with continuous high winds, straight line winds, and of course tornadoes can take a toll and break down roofs. The wind damage often starts with one loose shingle that blows off allowing wind to get under the surrounding shingles. Loosening those shingles and leading to more shingles lost in the next wind storm or thunderstorm which could eventually lead to leaks in your roof.  There are several terms that mean the same as straight line winds such as:  Convective wind gusts, outflow, and down bursts.   Straight line wind is wind that comes out of a thunderstorm.  If the winds exceed 58 miles per hour then the storm is classified as a Severe Storm by the National Weather Service. When the National Weather Service does a storm damage survey they distinguish between straight line winds and winds produced by a tornado by debris patterns. It is important to know that straight line wind intensity can be as powerful as tornado and your roof may have incurred damage from the storm like this.  Debris such as limbs from trees or flying debris that occurs during straight line winds can damage your roof.  Often with strong winds these storms can carry heavy rainfall and that can play against the natural flow of water on your roof.  As water blows beneath the shingles the inner of the roof becomes unprotected, making leaks common.  So coupled with wind and just a few lost shingles can suddenly become a waterfall of rain during a storm.  It is so important that homeowners look or have a professional like Midwest Roofing Services take a look at your roof to make sure damage was not incurred to prevent more damage to the home in the next storm.  Midwest Roofing Services has many options for Class 4 rated high impact shingles that  can help withstand high winds and hail. Class 4 shingles can qualify come homeowners for a discount with some insurance carriers.  Let the professionals at Midwest Roofing Services help you make the right decision against the weather in your area to determine what may be the best roof for your home.

Published in Residential
  • Credentials: Midwest Roofing Services has partnered with the top manufacturers in the industry. Midwest Roofing has been awarded the prestigious certification of Master Select by the largest roofing manufacturer in North America, “GAF Materials Corp.”. This certification is reserved for the Top 2% of the roofing contractors nation wide. Midwest Roofing is also certified applicators for the following manufacturers. Versico Roofing Systems, Certainteed Commercial Roofing and Topps Products, Inc. This partnership allows us to provide the following types of roofing applications with extended manufacturers warrantees. Thermoplastic (PVC and TPO), Thermoplastic Fleece Back, Epdm, Modified Bitumen, Built up Roofing, Roof Coatings, Metal Roof Restorations.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .