6 Reasons You Should Consider Cedar Roofing
Are you having a home custom built or considering replacing the roof on your existing home and are having trouble deciding on a roofing material? If you like the look of natural wood roofs, you should think about using cedar shakes. Keep in mind that a roof is a significant investment and that material choices should be given a great deal of investigation before coming to a final conclusion. Many great roofing material choices are available to modern homeowners, and one of the best is shakes made from Western Red Cedar.
Following are six reasons why cedar shakes make fabulous roofs for Canadian homes.
Appearance
Classic cedar shakes provide an elegantly rustic look that other materials can't come close to. They work well with a wide variety of architectural styles and easily accept numerous finishes such as stains, paint, and oils, and they can also be used as-is and allowed to weather naturally. Newly formed cedar shakes are honey-toned and weather to an attractive silvery-gray color. Its uniform texture and straight grain adds to its aesthetic appeal.
Longevity
Western Red Cedar is one of the most long-lived and durable softwoods available, with many trees living over 1,000 years. Native to the coastal rain forests of the pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Alaska, Western Red Cedar has long been used by First Nations societies for a variety of purposes ranging from home construction, totemic art, and the creation of kayaks and canoes. You an be assured that a cedar shake roof is going to last for a long time.
Weather Resistance
Because cedar is native to areas that experience a good deal of seasonal variation, it's naturally resistant to weather conditions that can easily damage other roofing materials, including high levels of precipitation, hail, wind, snow, and UV rays. After all, cedar is native to a part of the planet that routinely experiences wild weather -- rainfall levels in Alaska's Tongass National Forest, where Western Red Cedar is abundant, are among the highest on the planet, making cedar roofing particularly well-suited to areas that receive substantial wet weather. It's also resistant to damage caused by seasonal thawing and freezing.
Insulation Properties
Western Red Cedar produces extremely dense wood that has excellent insulation properties. A cedar roof will help hold heat inside during the cold winter months as well as keep summer's heat at bay. Its superior insulation properties also provide an acoustic barrier between your home and the outside world, making it a good choice if you live near an airport of in an area where traffic levels generate substantial noise. The density of Western Red Cedar will also help guard against leaks.
Insect and Fungus Resistance
Cedar contains oils that act as a natural insect repellant, making roofs made with cedar shakes less vulnerable to insect infestations. It's also resistant to fungal pathogens such as mold and mildew, making it a valued component in home construction in areas that have high amounts of atmospheric humidity. Even termites generally steer clear of Western Red Cedar unless no other food source is available.
Sustainability
Western Red Cedar is a renewable resource that's being constantly replenished by tree planting operations in western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Furthermore, because of their extreme longevity, cedar shakes can often be recycled when homeowners decide that it's time to replace them. As an added bonus, because of its natural resistance to warping, insects, and fungal infestations, cedar doesn't require chemical treatments.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of cedar roofing, contact your local roofing contractor for more information. They can assess the roofing needs of your home and help you make a decision on the roofng material that best suits your personal needs and preferences.
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