Cedar Shake Roofs.

HallisseyDesign

Hey all, I am designing a addition on my parents house. It is 1800 square foot, I am trying to remember what the pitch is on cedar that is will last a little longer. I remember somebody saying at anything less then a 6/12 it will rot away in a year or 2. I have it at 8/12 now but i can't go much higher. The reason for cedar shake-- assoc in the neighborhood wants everything cedar down to the siding and soffit need to be cedar too. It is bad, thanks for the help ahead of time

RooferJim

not that you would really want to but you can cedar shingle down to a 2 pitch. I did this on one job where the architect insisted so we full coverage grace ice & water shield then cedar breather then red cedar perfections at 4" exposure. That job still looks good after eight years.

RooferJim
www.jbennetteroofing.com

HallisseyDesign

Thanks, yea i have to tie the addition into the existing house that is 2500 square foot or so. I have to re-roof the existing house too. it will be a lot of cedar. That clears up a bunch of questions that i have thanks for the help.

neolitic

Do a search,there was good info
on the breather not long ago.
Thread was about "weaving
felt with shakes" or some such.

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A W Smith

Yes
http://www.contractortalk.com/f15/interwoven-felt-shakes-32068/

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http://www.awsmith.com

Ed the Roofer

The slope of the roof and the breathability under the cedar will determine how long they will last, since the cedar will warp considerably if it remains moist too long. Heavier grades and # 1's would last longer without showing the adverse affects so quickly.

An 8/12 is a good pitch for cedar to allow for water run off relatively quickly. I too have done a 2/12 or a 3/12 with full underlayment, before Ice and Water Shield was heard of, but did not do the cedar vreather. After about 2 years, it looked like it was 20-30 years old from all of the curling.

It was the GC's own home and his specs we followed, even though I advised him against it, and that was before I knew my azz from a hole in the ground about roofing.

Ed

Grumpy

I don't recommend cedar on anything less than 8/12. And cedar breather is a defenite highly encouraged option.

RooferJim

Every year we do more and more cedar roofs. Alaskan yellow cedar has also becaome a very popular upgrade from red cedar as have tapersawns. I will only do them now unless by my own specs. breather,stainless nails etc.

RooferJim
www.jbennetteroofing.com

HallisseyDesign

Grumpy I agree with you but the homeowners assoc is making us do it. That you guys for all the replies. Much help.

ProSpec

Another option - if the association would consider it - is to use a composite cedar shake look alike. RPM makes a very realistic one you could look at RPM Roofing Dot Net.

Michael Low

I just did a house with a beautiful hardwood shake that I would recommend for roofing applications anywhere and siding in the south of the USA over cedar. This stuff is as hard as Ipe or much harder than oak. It has a beautiful cut and great look. I got it from a place called Tropical Hardwoods in Hollywood SC and found that it was more than cedar but real quality.

A W Smith

^^^^^hey look!! A salesman!!^^^^Interesting first post Mister Mike!

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