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So you’re looking to install a new roof, and you’re considering a cedar shake roof. On one hand, it’s a beautiful option that can bring a big wow-factor to your home. Unfortunately, as with most natural wood options for your home’s exterior, cedar isn’t something that you install and the job is done. That wow-factor can quickly fade.
Cedar Shake Roof Maintenance
When you install a cedar roof, you have to be ready for the roof maintenance that comes with it, especially if you want it to last and look great for a long time. Before you commit to a cedar shake roof, here is what it takes to maintain these roofs:
1. Inspect the Roof
The first and most important step in cedar roof maintenance is to regularly check the roof for possible damage. It is safest and recommended that you do this from the ground. This also prevents damage to your shingles. And, you can even use a drone if you have one. The idea is to check for loose or broken shingles, moss growth, and signs of moisture damage and rot. Then, you’ll want to look inside your home and attic to check for damp spots on your ceiling that could signal costly water damage. If you do find roof damage, your best bet is to hire a professional roofing company to come in and do the repairs. But, you’ll want to ensure they have cedar roofing experience, so that it gets done properly.
2. Remove any Debris
Second, you want to remove any debris from the roof’s surface. Debris means leaves, pine needles, moss, lichen, and similar organic organisms. While these may seem harmless, they hold moisture that can damage a cedar roof or lead to the growth of wood-destroying fungi. This debris can be removed by sweeping off with a broom or using a leaf blower. It is strongly recommended to hire a professional roofing contractor for all roof cleaning and repair activities. Always follow all safety requirements and best practices for working on a roof.
3. Remove Overhanging Vegetation
Just as fallen leaves can be an issue for your roof, so can overhanging branches. For one, rainwater can drip onto your roof from overhanging branches. They also shade your roof, which can prevent it from drying quickly, giving fungi more time to grow. Overhanging branches can also pose a greater fire risk to your roof and home, so removing them will likely keep your roof safer.
4. Clear Your Gutters
During the fall, falling leaves and debris not only land on your roof, but into your gutters as well. They can accumulate and prevent the gutters from doing their job, which is to redirect water away from your home. When water is backed up, it can affect the lower parts of your roof, and even back up into your attic, leading to costly damage.
5. Clean the Roof Surface
Finally, it’s time to clean the surface of the roof, which removes any weaker pieces of wood that have become too weathered. Cleaning also helps to improve the overall appearance of the roof. Take great caution with pressure washers, as they can end up damaging the roof or causing interior damage. Instead, use a garden hose, which will be much gentler for cleaning the roofing shakes.
6. Apply Roofing Treatments as Needed
To really help prolong the life of cedar shake roofing, you can consider applying roofing treatments every few years. These treatments can protect your roof from various things like water, fire, fungi, and even algae. They can be a critical step for providing your cedar roof with as much protection as possible.
It is important to note that while it is possible to do all of this cedar roof maintenance yourself, it is best to hire a professional who has the experience and tools to do it the right way and safely. This can add up and be costly, as it is maintenance you need to do every couple of years to keep your roof in top shape.
A Better Alternative to Real Cedar Shake Roofing
While cedar shake roofing is a beautiful option, it requires a lot of maintenance – which all leads to extra time, effort, and money to keep your roof looking nice for years to come.
However, now there are alternatives to traditional cedar shakes that do not require the same maintenance and ongoing investment. F Wave Roofing is a company known for their premium synthetic roofing shingles that mimic the appearance of traditional materials, including cedar. They are designed with a realistic appearance, so you won’t be able to see the differences when compared to the real thing.
F-WAVE® REVIA® shingles are made using a commercial-grade polymer material that creates lightweight, highly durable shingles that look great on the roof. Unlike traditional cedar shakes, they feature a Class A fire rating and Class 4 Impact Rating, the highest rating for fire and hail-resistance available. REVIA® shingles are also rated to withstand up to 130 mph winds.
Unlike traditional cedar shakes, REVIA® shingles do not need special treatments for protection against moisture, fungi, sunlight, or algae. They also don’t need any treatment for fire protection, as they have a Class A Fire Rating, the best rating possible.
The best part is that there is no specific annual roof maintenance that is required. Because of REVIA® synthetic construction, these shingles are incredibly durable with low maintenance requirements.
As beautiful as cedar shakes are, the upfront cost and amount of maintenance is not to be ignored. Many people want the look of cedar shakes, which is understandable, but unless they are willing to pay the upfront cost and invest the time and money that is required for annual maintenance, they may not be the best option. Fortunately, there are realistic, synthetic alternatives. F -WAVE® REVIA® shingles offers a faux shake shingle called hand-split shake that offers that real cedar look without all of the required maintenance.
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