There are many reasons why the homeowner will consider a cedar wood roof for their home. It is prestigious, looks fantastic, lasts longer and is all-natural producing a beautiful result in a roofing project. It is naturally a great building material for outdoor use. In the end, individuals armed with the correct information will likely find that a cedar roof is exactly what is needed for a beautiful result in their roofing project.

Energy Savings: Cedar roofing has exceptional thermal insulation properties. Using wood is a wonderful way to lower your heating and cooling costs. Cedar roof shingles and shakes are heavy enough with natural wood fibers that they actually act as a second layer of insulation on your home. Homes tend to lose much of their heat through the roof, so particularly if you live in a cold weather area, you will enjoy the cost benefits of your cedar roof. Wood roofs enable cooler temperatures inside in the summer and warmth in the winter. The Energy that it takes to manufacture a renewable cedar shake roof is substantially lower than for a petroleum based composition shingle.  

Strength: The hallmark characteristic of red cedar is its natural durability. It is regarded as one of the world's toughest woods. Cedar shingles and shakes are the only form of roofing material that actually adds strength to the structure. All other forms of roofing material are surfacing material only, and impose a dead load on the roof. The bridging effects of shingles and shakes on a roof produce a gain in absolute strength. Shakes add 7 lbs per square foot, and shingles can add 4 lbs per square foot.

Dimensional Stability: Cedar wood for roofs has low density and shrinkage. It lies flat, stays straight, and holds fastenings tightly.

Resistance Against the Elements: Cedar has natural preservatives that resist moisture, decay and insect damage. It can be used in tough and varied climatic conditions.

Finishing: Cedar wood for roofing accepts a range of finishes, from fine oils and stains, to solid coatings and paint. This is most effectively done at the mill where such stains and finishes are applied to achieve the most efficient finish.

Appearance: Apart from the practical benefits, cedar makes very attractive type of wood roofing. Both the shakes and shingles display the natural honey and cinnamon tones, and later mature to a seasoned and distinguished-looking silvery gray.