Wood Shingle

Wood shingles and shakes are considered by many to be the most traditional of all the roof materials. The vast majority of all homes built in the San Francisco Bay area originally had wood shingles or shakes. It was not until the 1990's that the very popular and less expensive asphalt shingle took over as Americas most commonly used roofing material. However if you have the desire, and your budget permits, a simple call to Elliott & Elliott Company can make a new wood roof a reality today.

Wood shingles and shakes in the San Francisco Bay area are predominantly harvested from the North West, and the most common material is the Western Red Cedar. Cedar shingles and shakes provide excellent thermal insulation, and are the perfect choice for roofs that are commonly exposed to high wind conditions.

Cedar shingles will have a smooth finished appearance on both sides, and are cut from chunks of wood called bolts. They come in one of three lengths, 16", 18", and 24". Cedar shakes are thicker, and though some are sawn from bolts, most are split by machine or by hand leaving an irregular or more rustic appearance. Cedar shakes are typically available in two thicknesses, medium or heavy, and will be 18" or 24" in length.

Just like other roofing products, cedar shingles and shakes are available in different quality grades. Whether for roofing or siding, Elliott & Elliott Company prefers to use No. 1 grade, or Blue Label. These are clear heartwood that have no defects and are 100-percent edge grain. The typical wood roof will last around 20 to 25 years, however they can last substantially longer depending on the amount of material installed. A shorter exposure of the material will result in more shingles and shakes installed and a thicker roof.

In neighborhoods with high fire danger, shingles and shakes can be pressure-treated with a fire retardant. These shingles or shakes will have a class "B" fire rating when installed over the skip sheathing, or a class "A" fire rating when combined with an additional fire barrier under the roofing.

In addition to roofing cedar shingles are also popular siding material and can be seen on many Victorian and Craftsman style homes here in the Bay Area.