Roofing Alphabet: S is for Shakes

To start, let’s get one thing straight – shakes and shingles are not the same thing. All right, now that’s out of the way, let’s discuss shakes (and no, we aren’t talking about milkshakes).  

History of Shakes

During the Colonial period in America when lumber was plentiful, people would hand-split wooden logs, either redwood or cedar, to create a wooden shingle what we consider now as a “shake.” These shakes were applied to the roofs of homes, as they were lightweight, made of natural materials, and easy to install. Even today, shakes are still used among the best roofing companies in Overland Park KS because they increase the curb appeal of a home tremendously with its intricate and multi-dimensional appearance.  

Characteristics of Shake

At the beginning, we told you that shakes and shingles were two separate things. So what characterizes a shake? Because they were first hand-split from wood, the butt of a shake is much thicker than asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are very uniform when applied to the roof, but shakes offer a rustic, distinctive look.  

Advantages

People love shake roofing because of its durability and beautiful, ability to be insulated, and natural appearance. There is the option of wooden shakes, but roofing contractors in Overland Park suggest going with shake-style roofing, which is the modern-alternative to wooden shakes but is made of asphalt and fiberglass instead. Shake-style roofing shingles are better than wood as they have a longer lifespan and a waterproof coating that will prevent rot and decay that a wooden shake might suffer. When working with a premier roofing company in Overland Park, they will show you the many available colors of shake-style roofing to choose from to best compliment your house.  

Disadvantages

Possibly one of the biggest downsides of wooden shakes is that they are much more susceptible to fires than shake-style shingles. While Kansas isn’t necessarily a fire-prone state, roofing companies in Overland Park may still warn you against wood in the instance of a house fire. The your roofing companies in KC agree that shake-style roofing is a much better option because asphalt is flame-resistant and you will pay less in insurance than if your roof is made of cedar. 

For premier roofing in Overland Park, contact Shamrock Roofing and Construction today to discuss shake-style roofing for your home. As you can tell, there are many benefits to shakes, and they give your home that beautiful, colonial appearance. We rank among the your roofing companies in KC and will gladly shake up your roof!