Cedar Shake Siding | 5 Major Problems with Cedar Shakes
The siding of a home is as equally important as the roof. Like the roof, the siding of your home provides a protective barrier that keeps the interior safe, dry, and warm. It protects your home's interior from insects and the elements, and also your foundation. Your siding is a protective barrier, but that doesn't mean it can't be beautiful. One style of siding that can give homes a unique look is cedar shake siding, but it has its own issues and cedar shake maintenance can be a hassle. Cedar shingles for siding can look unique and provide incredible curb appeal, but you should also be aware of its problems. As an alternative to cedar shakes for sale you may want to consider synthetic roofing alternatives like CeDUR. Let us examine the problems associated with cedar shake siding and a great alternative you may want to consider.
Why People Choose Cedar Shake Siding
Wood shake siding is an option people tend to turn to when they want a rustic-looking exterior. Cedar shake siding is a style that has been around since colonial times, it has earned a reputation as a classic siding option. It gives homes a unique, classic look that you cannot get with other types of siding. Cedar shakes are also a popular choice since they are more attractive and more durable than the more commonly used vinyl shake siding materials.
Cedar Shake Siding Problems
1. Cedar Shake Maintenance
The biggest issue with cedar shake siding is the amount of maintenance that it requires. Cedar shakes require regular cleaning to keep them free from things like moss, algae, and mold. They also require surface treatments to protect from things like the elements, moisture, insects, and fire. These protective treatments are required every few years to remain effective. Without regular maintenance, shakes will become worn and suffer rot and decay.
2. Prone to Mold, Mildew, and Insects
While cedar shakes are more durable and protected than other types of wood like pine, it is still a natural material. As a result, when rain gets trapped under the shingles or moisture-laden debris like leaves, moss, and algae, mold and mildew will begin to grow. Once mold begins to grow, your shakes can start to rot, and they will need to be replaced. Wood-boring insects like termites, carpenter ants and some types of beetles love to feast on unprotected wood. Without protective treatments, your cedar shake siding is prone to damage from all of these sources, and you can find yourself needing costly repairs. If you are looking for cedar shingles for siding we recommend considering synthetic alternatives like CeDUR that will not naturally degrade over time.
3. Can Be Difficult to Repair or Replace
When you leave wood shake siding unprotected, it is prone to severe damage. Even if you apply protective coatings and take care of your siding, damage is still possible. Unfortunately, repairing the damage or replacing shakes can be difficult due to the way the shakes were installed.
4. Low Fire Rating
A protective treatment can increase the fire safety of cedar, but it’s not foolproof. Cedar shakes will burn easily and can result in serious, if not total, siding damage, and they are not legally allowed for use in fire-prone states like California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
5. Expensive
Cedar is an incredibly expensive material, especially for use as siding an entire home. Depending on the size of your home, you will end up spending thousands more than you would for other kinds of siding. That doesn't take into account having it installed by a professional or the long-term cost of maintenance over time, making cedar shakes a big investment.
Instead you should consider Synthetic Cedar Shake Siding
As beautiful as wood shake siding is, when you consider the problems, it isn’t the best siding for most. That doesn't mean you can't have that beautiful cedar shake look, however. Instead of using real cedar shakes, you can choose synthetic cedar shakes from CeDUR.
CeDUR's shakes are molded from real cedar shakes, but are made from a synthetic, polyurethane material. While the differences are essentially indistinguishable, when you take a deeper look, you can see which is the better choice.
Because CeDUR uses synthetic material for their shakes, they offer far more durability than natural cedar. They are completely moisture-resistant, meaning, they will never split, rot, or warp when exposed to rain or other sources of moisture.
They have a Class 4 Impact Rating–the highest impact rating a material can earn. They also have the highest fire rating, a Class A rating, which means they are approved for use in fire-prone parts of the country. CeDUR synthetic wood shakes are also certified to withstand hurricane-force winds up to 115 mph.
They are a lightweight, competitively-priced option that is easy to install. It is thinner than real cedar, but is just as insulating, helping to reduce utility bills. What helps CeDUR synthetic shakes stand out most is that they are virtually maintenance-free. They do not need any special treatments applied, nor do you have to worry about things like moss and algae or insect damage.
The Best Synthetic Cedar Shingles for Siding
Wood shake siding and cedar shake siding is a beautiful, classic option, but it isn't without its own problems. Synthetic cedar shake shingles from CeDUR are equally beautiful, but more lightweight, durable, easier to maintain, and far more affordable in the long run. Keep in mind that roofing alternatives like vinyl cedar shake siding are commonly used but they may not match the authentic wood shake look. We guarantee that CeDUR shakes will look just as realistic as cedar shingles for siding.
CeDUR roofing products are the most realistic synthetic roofing shakes manufactured. Our composite roofing products feature a Class 4 Impact Rating and Class A Fire Rating (highest industry ratings). Our composite cedar shake shingles are light weight and durable and look just like wood shingles, in fact it is difficult to distinguish CeDUR from real wood shakes. Our synthetic roofing products are completely fire resistant and will extinguish flame spread in the event of a fire.