Considering cedar?Considering cedar?When looking at wood roofing, many who currently have asphalt shingle roofs are curious about the expected longevity of cedar. Although manufacturers typically limit cedar warranties to 25 years, this does not indicate a true approximation of lifespan. On most roofs of houses built in the mid 1800s, we have found a maximum of two layers of cedar/redwood covered by as many as four layers of asphalt shingles. What this indicates, (besides the amazing residual strength of cedar shingles on lath) is that the cedar roofs apparently lasted 50 years. Of course, individual shingles probably failed during that period, such is the nature of wood roofing. Likewise, individual cedar shingles are easily replaced and therefore cost less per repair than re-roofing asphalt. Additionally, wood shingles are insulative and reflect heat radiation. This results in lower heating and cooling costs on certain structures, as well as lower attic temperatures in summer. A simple proof of this is found by touching blacktop in summer and looking at wood handled cookware.
| Although asphalt shingles have made many advances, one of which being their ability to suggest the shadow and texture of cedar and slate by clever mixes of color, there is no way anyone can can mistake one for the other. Natural cedar has a brilliance and a sheen characteristic to it's cellular structure. The range of hues from platinum through gold to auburn with that characteristic, almost metallic shimmer, is incomparable to a sheet of fiberglass soaked with tar and sprinkled with stone. No matter how creatively that stone is scattered. |
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If you have a cedar roof and it is starting to leak, chances are, you are not the original owner. You probably know little about cedar roofs and less about how to determine their health. Take a look at the picture below, and notice the difference between the forty year old shingles in the foreground and the two year old shingles beyond. The shingles in front have lost their sheen, darkened considerably, the corners have softened and broken off the shingles, and most importantly, moss has started to develop. This indicates that the shingles have started to rot. The wood's natural oils have been depleted. This roof has only a few years left, maybe one.
What are your options? It depends on the type of deck that is under the shingles
and how damaged they are If your shingles are sound, and a leak has developed,
it is a simple matter of replacing those that require attention. If your
shingles are sound, and seepage starts to occur, the shingles should be
waterproofed with a penetrating stain after a interval of at least one week
without rain and temperatures above 70º.
If your shingles are beyond repair and you have a smooth
deck, with gaps less than 1/4" between the boards you can have up to two
layers of shingles scraped off and re-shingle with your choice of almost 
any
shingle or tile. If the boards are uneven, or the gaps are greater than
1/4" you must re-shingle with cedar. If the deck is lath, the roof must be
cut with a chain saw and replaced in sections with lath or plywood and
re-shingled with your choice of almost any shingle or tile.
