It is not uncommon to see a wide array of wooden roofing in the Denver Metro area. Wood shakes and shingles are one of the oldest roofing materials that exist today. Their rustic character gives a charm to the home that no other material can match and many homeowners can’t imagine their house with anything but a wooden roof. But many new residents are hesitant on installing a wooden roof. In this article Roofcorp takes a look at cedar shakes and shingles, their advantages and why they are not seen as often anymore on the Front Range.
Advantages of Wooden Roofing
The primary advantage of wooden roofing is its rustic appeal. They help the home blend in to surrounding trees and areas. They are a great match for cabins, vacation homes in the mountains and forest hideaways. There are not many color choices because the natural wood beauty holds the appeal for most people that choose cedar.
When properly maintained wood shakes and shingles have a long lifespan. A well built and maintained wooden roof can last anywhere from forty to sixty years, this is much longer than many types of asphalt shingles.
Natural preservatives in cedar make it resistant to rot and insect infestation. They are also very lightweight and stand up well against wind, driving rain and hail.
They are easy to repair, often you only need to replace a few cracked or broken shingles at a time by inserting a new shingle where the old one went.
Drawbacks of Wooden Roofing on the Front Range
Without proper maintenance wooden roofing is very susceptible to different forms of degradation. They are an organic material after all. They are likely to receive damage from the sun and are susceptible to mold and mildew if they are not coated in a protective barrier.
This biggest drawback of cedar shingles, especially on the Front Range is their poor fire resistance. Most wooden materials are classified as “Class C Fire-Resistant.” This is the lowest grade a material can receive from the American Society for Testing and Materials. Many Colorado districts have began outlawing wooden roofing in their new buildings and homes due to this high risk of fire.
In the end the choice of materials comes down to the homeowner, you need to weigh the benefits and drawbacks to decide if wooden roofing is right for you.
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