The appeal of wood without the fuss

By Brava Roof Tile. 

Provide the authentic appearance of wood with exceptional wear resistance. 

Despite their beauty and natural curb appeal, wood shake roofs often suffer damage over time, which leads to costly issues and repairs. Regular upkeep is essential to prevent decay and infestations, and prolong the life of the wood roof, but it can be demanding for homeowners. 

Even though regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent fading, warping, splitting and rotting, there are alternatives on the market. Choose simplicity and strength with Brava’s synthetic cedar shakes, designed to maintain the allure of wood roofing without constant upkeep thanks to our composite material. 

History of wood shake roofing 

Wood shake roofing is one of the oldest types of roofing. Before wood mills could create even wood shingles, wood shakes were hand-split to make wood shake roofing. The difference today between wood shakes and wood shingles is that wood shakes are now mechanically split to retain their rustic texture, while manufacturers cut wood shingles evenly from planks. 

While many types of wood are popular options for a wood shingle or shake roof, cedar shakes and cedar shingles are some of the most popular for wood roofing. Cedar begins its life cycle in a light or medium warmer tone and gradually weathers to a cooler gray color. Other types of wood shakes or shingles offer a stunning array of different colors and weathering that many people find appealing. 

Common issues with natural wood shake roofing 

Some of the most common issues with natural wood shakes or shingles include: 

• Uneven fading 
• The high maintenance they require 
• Natural deterioration over time 
• Flammability of wooden roofs 

1 - Uneven fading as wood ages 

Many people purchase wood shake roofing anticipating a certain amount of color change as the wood weathers over time. However, several factors can affect the way a wood shake roof discolors over time. Some factors include: 

• The direction the house faces 
• Shade from nearby trees 
• Patches or repairs to damaged shakes or shingles 
• Mold or mildew growth on the roof 

To protect a wood roof’s natural color and help it age gracefully, your customers need to schedule regular maintenance, including pressure washing, staining, sealing and applying fire- and pest-resistant coatings. 

2 - High maintenance to protect the roof 

Natural wood roofing is susceptible to all the same problems as a wood fence or wood deck — except those are property add-ons. A roof protects your customers’ home from the elements, so if they don’t maintain a wood roof properly, their home, family, pets and belongings will be at risk. While cedar is naturally pest and rot resistant, they still need to maintain it to preserve the roof. 

Regular maintenance for a wood roof should include: 

• Pressure washing every two to three years to remove mold and mildew buildup 
• Staining and sealing after each pressure wash 
• Replacing any cracked, warped or rotted shakes or shingles 
• Updating fire resistant coating every five years or according to manufacturer instructions 
• Applying water-resistant coatings, fungicides and algaecides to deter rotting 

A wooden roof that doesn’t receive regular maintenance will suffer weathering and damage much sooner than a wood roof that does. A well cared-for wood shake roof can last approximately 30 years or longer, while a wood shake roof that receives no maintenance could suffer serious damage in ten years or sooner, depending on the climate. 

3 - Natural deterioration of wood shake roofs, which can rot or warp 

Heat, cold, humidity, and snow or ice can affect wood shakes or shingles over time, leading to cracks, splits, curling, cupping and missing shakes or shingles. This damage shortens the hand-split, wood roof’s lifespan and exposes the home to the elements. 

Damage to a wood roof over time can disturb the water resistance of the roof, allowing rain or snow melt to leak into the home. In cold temperatures, water can seep between shingles and freeze, further damaging the wood roof and exposing more of the roof deck to the elements. 

4 - Loss of fire resistance over time 

New wood roofs come pre-treated with fire-resistant coatings. Over time, these coatings deteriorate, making a wood roof and home susceptible to fire damage. Part of your customers' regular maintenance needs to include applying new fire-resistant coatings. 

Get the look of a wood roof using synthetic cedar shakes 

Synthetic cedar shakes made from recycled materials will keep the roof looking like new cedar shakes for 50 years. You can also install an aged cedar synthetic shake roof with an aged style that will retain a rustic weathered appearance without having to wait 30 years for it to fade to the right color! 

Synthetic wood shakes and shingles are also naturally fire-resistant, with a Class A or Class C fire rating, and made from recycled polymers that offer energy efficiency while also being a sustainable, green alternative. When it's Brava shake vs natural wood, Brava wins every time! 

Request a sample today 

At Brava Roof Tile, we offer natural-looking synthetic wood shake roofing for homeowners who want a traditional look without the traditional upkeep of real wood. Fill out our form online to request a sample of our synthetic wood shakes and see the color options in person. 

Original article source: Brava Roof Tile