All About Cedar Roofing

Cedar roofing has many advantages. It ages to a beautiful silvery grey tone, it is more durable than other roofing materials, and it provides natural insulation of up to twice that of asphalt shingles. Homeowners have many options when it comes to cedar roofing to customize the appearance of the home. First comes the choice between cedar shakes and shingles, which differ from each other in appearance. Secondly, homeowners must choose the specific variety of cedar wood to use, and lastly, homeowners have to decide whether or not to use a color stain. Middletown roofing experts fortunately have all the insight required to help homeowners make ideal choices in cedar roofing.

Cedar shingles come sawn from wood blocks, and they are available in sawn and sanded varieties. Sawn cedar shingles resemble cedar shakes but have a more tailored design. Sanded cedar shingles are smoother than sawn cedar shingles and can give a more refined look to one’s roof.

Cedar shakes come in hand-split and tapersawn varieties. Because shakes are split from wood blocks, they have a more rugged look than cedar shingles. Tapersawn cedar shakes are more distinguished and tailored, however, due to being sawn on both sides.

When it comes to wood type in cedar roofing systems, homeowners have a choice between red and white cedar.

Have a question regarding new roofs or gutters? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ.

Red cedar is more pricey, but it is an extremely high-quality material. It contains tannic acid, which helps the wood to resist insect damage and rot. It also does well in a variety of climates. Certain types of white cedar also resist decay and splintering, including Atlantic white cedar, Eastern white cedar, and Northern white cedar.

Both red and white cedar look attractive in their natural states, but some homeowners choose to slightly modify or change the color of cedar roofing. Natural finishes are transparent stains that help preserve the natural color of cedar. They do contain some pigments that slightly alter the tone.

Paints completely cover the natural grain of cedar, while solid color stains still allow some of the wood’s texture to show through. Paints and solid color stains come in colors ranging from blues and greens to reds and plum. Semitransparent stains come in oil and latex varieties. Oil-based semitransparent stains come in more colors than latex semitransparent stains, and they tend to be more durable as well. Some homeowners also choose to enhance the color of cedar with wood oils or bleaching oil. Have a question regarding new roofs or gutters? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ.

Term explained by roofing contractor Fortified Roofing, Middletown NJ:

Bleaching oil

Bleaching oil contains grey pigment and a chemical that accelerates the natural aging process of cedar wood. After several months, bleaching oil changes the wood’s color to a darker grey. It usually lasts from three to six years.

Fortified Roofing, professionals in roofing of Middletown NJ answer a question:

How durable is cedar roofing in harsh weather conditions?

Cedar roofing stands up well to the strong winds of hurricanes and heavy downpours of rain. It also does well in hail storms, snowstorms, and other harsh weather conditions. In sunny conditions, however, the top layer of the wood’s cells can break down. These cells get washed away in the next rain, leading to weathering of the roof.

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