The Differences Between The Three Grades Of Cedar Shake Roofing Material

Posted on: 13 June 2022

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Is your roof in need of replacement and do you want to install cedar shake shingles? If so, know that you need to decide on what grade of shingles you want to use on your home. There are actually three different grades of material you can pick between, with each one having its own benefits. Here is what you need to know in order to make a decision.

Common

The cheapest grade of cedar shake shingles is known as common. However, know that you get what you pay for when you choose this material. That's because these are the shingles that are made out of any part of the tree, and they have the highest chance of curling and splitting once they are installed on your roof. 

Why would you choose common shingles? Maybe you're on a budget and it is all you can afford, or you are putting shingles on a shed where you don't need the best quality material. If it's for your home, you may want to use a higher quality material if possible.

Select

Select cedar shake shingles are made up of a mix of straight grain and common shingles. The material is hand selected, so there is a good chance that the common boards that you get are still of good quality. However, your roofing contractor may specify a percentage of how much of the select material will be straight grain and how much will be common. For example, they may say that 70% or 80% of the material is guaranteed to be straight grain. The amount of straight grain material you get may vary, but it will definitely be up there percentage wise. 

Using select material is going to make your roof more sturdy than if you used only common material. You'll also get a longer lifespan out of the roof because it is less likely to rot. 

100% Straight Grain

Buying 100% straight grain material means you are getting the best of the best type of material. This type of material is taken from the center of the tree, and all of the grain is going to flow in the same direction. It's much less likely to have issues with warping and rotting and will ensure that your cedar shake roof lasts as long as possible. Of course, you will pay a premium for having all straight grain shingles, so you need to determine if the price is worth it to you. 

Contact a company like Elsa Roofing Company, Inc for more information.