Shake Shingles

granpa

hi everyone im new to the forms and look over them and found very good info my q is i got a 6 pitch roof and got shake shingles to put on it never have messd with them before so thinking of doing it my self campared to getting a pro to do it a save some $$ ive done reg shingles but this is new.... whats ava prices for a sq for a pro? as above i got 6 pich roof the whole roof has ice shield over the whole thing and the shake shingles right there 12sq of them

thanks for all help

maj

What does it matter what a pro would charge, you're doing it yourself, right?

Oh, I get it. Your one of those people who get bids, and then do everything yourself so you can brag to your buddies about how much money you saved by doing it yourself!!!

I will tell you that wood shakes are nothing like asphalt shingles, so you better do your homework on how to install, not how much to save.

Wood shakes done wrong will be nothing but trouble

granpa

lol im not a brager..... the point is 1 person said it will cost 500. a sq labor thats alot atlest to me it is....

maj

That's not to far out of line.

BTW, If you have ever torn off old wood shingles or shakes and noticed the roof boards were spaced about an inch apart. You know why that is don't you?

Gordo

Grandpa, I say this in a loving way. Reach deep down into your pocket book and pay the contractor who came out and gave you a 'free' estimate. If this guy is reputable then that is a great deal. By the way that free estimate costs the contractor money. I say this in love.

__________________
Looks like some pros were here.

granpa

ive never have did anything with a wood shingles or shakes like i said this is all new to me ive hear plp saying thay did them and was eezz for them the i hear plp saying it was hell..... btw there is no valleys its all stright front and back..

catalfanoc

if you install shakes over plywood you need to install a mesh vent that goes under other wise they won't last to long. Yeah 500 is about average they cost about 200 a square for royals plus you need special nails to install them otherwise you end up with alot of black lines going down them.

granpa

ok ask you this this was what i was told and to be eez to do
i was told to use the mesh or a 1/2 or 1/4 inch thick fur strips all the way up the roof that would be my air space + my stright line i would go by thought sound right to you?

catalfanoc

yeah thats sounds fine, I always use the mesh just quicker i think, make sure you use the right nails and keep those seems far apart

granpa

thanks for the info ask 1 more q can i use a nail gun? i know plp that dont but i would like to i got a reg roofing gun a bostich and porter cable if can i get the right nails for it you think? 8s gav?
and when i lay them down do i over lap the sides?

maj

That'll split those shingles wide open.. Use 5d galv. Preferably by hand. I have used my Hitachi siding nailer with a 1 1/4" ring shank galvies with good results.

747

[QUOTE=catalfanoc]if you install shakes over plywood you need to install a mesh vent that goes under other wise they won't last to long.

That is a step you definately dont want to forget. It could severly decrease the life of the roof.

Grumpy

Dont put a wood roof on a 6/12 pitch IMO.

In addition I urge you to pay a qualified roofer to install your roof no matter what type you intend to install.

dougger222

I agree a 6/12 is too shallow for wood shake.

$500 a square for labor for wood shakes is highway robbery. With 10 years experience I've yet to tackle a complete wood shake job solo, my father with 30 years experience has done a hundred or so shake jobs so he gets the call whenever a wood shake call should arise. The most we've charged for labor for an 8/12 is $150 but that was a few years ago, new construction.

Call around and get some more bids. More than likely the contractor that visited you didn't really want to the do job.

MJW

Wow, give me a number and how far he will travel. We run into them now and then, but don't do them. It is just too slow for me.

dougger222

I'm just on the North East side of the Twin Cities.

Again, $500 a square labor for wood shake is highway robbery, $250 a square labor is too much.

The problem is not many roofer know how to roof with wood shakes hence the huge price for labor. If a roofer doesn't really want to do a shake job he's going to bid it sky high so if he does get it it will be worth his time.

Personally, I like doing wood shakes every now and then since it's a change from laying regular shingles it actually makes me have to think on the job!!!

BTW, I don't sub contract any work anymore (besides builders), way to many tear offs to do.

The last wood shake call was a you beat my roofers price and you get it. It was a 10/12 in the middle of winter 50+ sq and the other roofer bid $150 a square, I said no thanks.

jmorgan

We do shakes all of the time. $150 is about right for 6:12. Current piecework price is about $40-$50/sq. We use galv staples. It is so dry here we do not use mesh.
Jim

Grumpy

Jmorgan, the pricing you just mentioned is insanely cheap for my area.

BTW grandpa, cedar shakes and cedar shingles are two different beasts.

jmorgan

This is labor only. Med hand splits are over $100/sq as of last summer. with all of the prep and everything they are going for about $250-300/sq total.
Jim

Grumpy

Jim that's still very cheap by my standards. The material seems in line but the labor seems way low. Maybe that's why you do alot of cedar Then again maybe guys in Utah work faster than us Illinoisians.

I thought you worked for Grace, or am I confusing you with someone else?