Over the years, roofing styles and options have changed and evolved. With all of the newly available options, one style has prevailed for centuries: cedar shake shingles. This style of roofing is popular for the beautiful, rustic look it can bring to a home, but it is not an option available to everyone due to the high installation cost, maintenance requirements, and need for a Class A fire rating. Fortunately, there are now several faux cedar shake roofing options available, which allow you to get that rustic look with a more durable synthetic material.
What Are Synthetic Shake Shingles?
Faux cedar shakes, composite shakes, and synthetic cedar shake shingles all refer to the same thing: an alternative to traditional cedar shake shingles.
Synthetic shingles are a newer type of roofing that uses alternative materials to replicate traditional forms of roofing materials. Most of these shingles are made from a mixture of materials, including some with recycled plastic or rubber as the main component. A synthetic shake shares many of the same aesthetic characteristics of their traditional counterpart, but synthetic roof offers certain things that traditional roofing doesn’t. Faux cedar shakes are one synthetic roofing option that offers more benefits when compared to traditional cedar roofing.
Benefits of Synthetic Cedar Shingles
1. Better Impact Resistance
One issue with traditional cedar is that, while it is durable, it cannot go completely unscathed from storm damage in a high wind or significant weather event. Large hail stones can damage wood shingles, cracking the wood and causing pieces to break off, which can affect how well the shingle protects your home.
Because most synthetic wood shingles are made of durable material, they are much stronger than real wood. Some synthetic shake roofs offer a Class 4 Impact Rating which means that they can withstand the impact of 2-inch diameter steel balls that are intended to mimic hail impact. Some even carry a hail resistance warranty. For that reason, impact-resistant synthetic cedar shake roofing is an ideal option for hailstorm prone areas.
2. Realistic Appearance
One concern about faux cedar shingles is how realistic looking they are. In the past, most synthetic cedar shake roofing wasn’t realistic in appearance. The cedar “look” was not always UV stable and would fade over time, leaving a dull looking shingle.
Most newer synthetic cedar shingles, however, are made using new processes that allow for a more permanent and realistic appearance. With more modern technology and materials available, the best of the new composite shakes will not fade or lose their appearance over time when exposed to the elements.
3. Fireproof
Unless you apply a fireproof coating, traditional cedar shake shingles cannot pass most local fire codes. If a fire breaks out, they will burn relatively quickly compared to other roofing materials. Most municipalities now require roofing materials to have a UL Class A fire rating.
Synthetic cedar shake shingles can be made in a unique way that makes them fireproof without the need for special coatings. They can have a UL Class A Fire Rating, which is the highest fire rating a construction product can earn. Class A Fire Rated Synthetic cedar shingles take longer than other materials to catch on fire, and also limit the ability for a fire to spread, so they are approved for use by the strictest building codes in places like California, Oregon and Colorado.
4. Can Withstand Strong Winds
Another issue that non-composite shakes suffer from is getting cracked or blown away by strong winds. In most cases, traditional shake shingles are only installed to withstand winds up to 90 mph, so if anything stronger comes along, there is a chance the roof can suffer serious damage.
However, most synthetic cedar shake shingles, because of their durable design, can withstand much stronger winds. Most have Class F Wind Rating and can withstand hurricane-force winds up to 110 mph. Some newer models of synthetic cedar shake roofing even offer a Class H Wind Rating, which can handle winds up to 190 mph.
5. UV and Weathering Resistant
Over time, traditional wood shake shingles take a beating from the sun’s UV rays and become weathered. This can damage the natural color and will cause them to fade more quickly, leaving the roof looking old and damaged.
Most Synthetic wood shingles, on the other hand, are resistant to weathering from the sun as well as being resistant to bugs and insects (which can be another costly problem). The colors will typically fade slowly, and the shingles don’t become weak and brittle over time.
F‑WAVE® REVIA® Synthetic Shake Shingles
FWave is a company that has created a new line of synthetic shake shingles known as the REVIA® Hand-Split Shake Collection. They are made from a commercial-grade polymer material that produces an incredibly strong and highly durable synthetic shake. As a result, REVIA® faux shake shingles are much more durable, easy to maintain, and just as easy to install as standard asphalt shingles. They can resemble the look of designer asphalt shingles, slate tiles, and now even hand-split cedar shake, giving homeowners a wide range of design possibilities.
FWave’s line features all the benefits above, and more. They are a lightweight roofing option that is available in a range of colors and styles. A lightweight synthetic shake means there is less concern about adding too much weight on the roof of the home, which can cause structural issues. One of the best features of F‑WAVE® synthetic cedar shake roofing is that it is affordable for most homeowners.
Select the Best Roofing Material
These days, there are countless roofing options. Synthetic cedar shingles are even better than their traditional counterparts. Not only do they replicate the appearance of the real thing, but they are stronger, lighter, more durable, maintenance-free and much more affordable. If you are looking for cedar shakes as an option to add a premium upgrade to your roof, consider F‑WAVE® synthetic cedar shake roofing to give your project a one-of-a-kind style.
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