Cedar roof shingles are classic and have beauty that has stood the test of time as people have always admired them over the ages. Their cozy, shaggy appearance appeals to elegant mountain lodge and seaside cottage. But with increased interest in durability, permanent upkeep and lifetime value, clay cedar shake shingles are finding that a lot of home owners are reconsidering the original wood and going with a higher quality option instead: clay cedar shake shingles.
These clay tiles resemble the appearance of hand split cedar however they perform much better and are becoming popular with home buyers, designers and contractors. This is why the trend to move to clay cedar shakes is emerging- and why it would be a very wise move to consider, in your next roofing project.
The Eternal Attraction of the Cedar Roofing Shingles
A favourite roofing material that has lasted through time since the early times, is Cedar whose natural beauty and ability to insulate has made it desirable to many. The main advantages of the traditional cedar shingles are:
- Rustic grace: It has a rustic touch and a natural, organic appearance to it due to the hand-split texture and warm colors.
- Flexibility: it can be used with various architectural design, such as historic or modern.
- Insulating value: Cedar will aid in keeping indoor temperatures to a minimum, minimising consumption of energy.
Nevertheless, with all those benefits listed, cedar roofing does not come without its challenges, especially in contemporary weather patterns and trends.
The Problems with the Conventional Cedar Roofing
Wood roofs are lovely, but they take constant maintenance, and have restrictions. Some of the problems that are prevalent among home owners include:
- An intense maintenance load: Cedar wood has to be cleaned, sealed and treated on a regular basis in order to avoid the growth of rot and moss.
- The shorter lifetime: Has a very much shorter lifespan and easily lasts 20-30 years as compared to premium materials including clay or slate.
- Flame hazard: Dry wood is flammable, even after it has been fire treated. This is an increasing issue in wildfire-risk territories.
- Fading and weathering: Cedar typically turns the color gray as it ages and some people like this factor, but it is not flattering to all people.
- Pest susceptibility: Termites, and carpenter ants can destroy wood if left alone for years.
These have encouraged the trend towards alternative material that retains the appearance of cedar whilst removing disadvantages.
Bringing in Clay Cedar Shake Shingles
Clay cedar shakes, e.g. those produced by Ludowici, are fired clay tiles which could imitate the look of cedar shakes. They have handcraft textures, natural grain patterns and multiple colors with the appeal of wood but not its vulnerabilities.
- Some of the main strengths of clay cedar compare with other shaking products:
- Unequaled durability 75-100 and up years
- Flame-retardant Highly improved fire resistance to ensure safety and get a fire insurance cover
- Weatherproof – Does not crack when freeze-thawed, does not deteriorate when exposed to heavy rainfall or when subjected to strong sunlight and UV light conditions
- The optimum products are low in maintenance i.e. no sealing, no preservatives, little or no upkeep required
- Color fastness - Eternal looks with never faded finishes
Such advantages have caused a wide number of homeowners to switch and use clay instead of natural wood.
Strength and Life span
The most significant factor that has caused the change is long life. Roofing shingles made of cedar only last a few decades before having to be replaced whereas clay shakes, once installed, can last much more than a hundred years. The fact that clay is resistant to rot, insects and moisture translates to little repair and replacement of buildings by home owners forcing them to spend less financially and timewise in the long run.
It is also this life that turns clay cedar shakes into an excellent idea in terms of harsh climates, whether it be heavy snow in the Midwest, hurricanes on the coast of the United States, or intense sun in the Southwest.
Low Maintenance Life Style
Low-maintenance living has become a priority to the modern homeowners. Conventional cedar roofs require frequent maintenance--treatment, cleaning and inspection of rot or insect wax. Clay cedar shakes on the contrary need very little care:
- Even a review every now and then (particularly following substantial storms)
- Simple maintainance of gutters against accumulation of wastes
- No chemicals and protective finishes required
This low involvement is a key attraction to the busy families and the second home owners.
Better Fire resistance
Another motivation is fire safety. With the increasing frequency of wildfires in most areas, stress is being placed on the use of fire-resistant materials in the building code and insurance companies. Clay cedar shakes are non inflammable and they usually bear the best fire rating so far thus offering beneficial tranquility and even insurance savings.
Aesthetic Authenticity
Another reservation that people have concerning other options as a substitute to wood is losing natural cedar appearance. This fear is answered to the point by the manufacturers Ludowici and others:
- Imperfections of split wood are reproduced in the hand-shapes of moulds
- Natural blends of colors resemble weathered cedar or fresh-up colors
- The custom finishes give the house owners an option to give their house an appearance that fits the architecture of the house.
Clay cedar shakes look almost like the real wood, but since they are produced on the ground, they have a rustic appeal and keep modern performance.
Environmental Benefits
Both cedar and clay are natural building materials but due to the superior longevity of clay, it is more sustainable. The less replacements required, the less it has to go into the waste. Clay tiles can be recycled in the full sense of this term as at the end of their life they can be replaced entirely.
Also, the manufacturing process of Ludowici includes the idea of energy efficiency and environmentally responsible sourcingwhich will be essential to homeowners who are responsible, and LEED-standard projects.
Price and Worth
Still, when it comes to the purchase price, clay cedar shakes, on average, cost more initially than a standard cedar, generally between 15-to-25 dollars compared with 8-to-14 dollars a square foot of wood. But this difference is counterbalanced in the course of time:
- Clay is less demanding in terms of replacements (a clay roof has to be renewed once in 100 years compared to three or even four cedar roofs in 100 years)
- There is virtually no maintenance cost to incur
- Increased resale value is as a result of curb appeal and durability
Clay is a much better long-term investment as a lifetime roof to homeowners in comparison to any other roofing material.
Ideal Applications
Suitable applications of Clay cedar shakes are particularly:
- High-end custom homes in search of casual elegance in high-installation performance
- Historic restorations that involve authenticity that enhance a better durability
- Areas that are prone to fires where wood roofing might not be quite suitable or might not be insurable
- They can be used in both the old design as well as contemporary.
Should you Switch To Clay?
Your fascination with the style of cedar roof shingles should not lookout for a roof that is longer living, needs fewer repairs and is more protective than cedar; then think of using clay cedar shakes. They deliver:
- Beauty of wood and absence of vulnerabilities
- A hundred years of action as opposed to decades
- Weather and fire resistance peace of mind
The low maintenance, cost effective solution to the contemporary home owner
Conclusion
The transition of traditional cedar to the clay cedar shake shingles is showing an overall trend in roofing: homeowners desire materials that represents an authenticity in the aesthetic world that yet remain inveigled with life-long durability of modern roofing materials. Clay shakes are the best solution--they take what is most attractive about cedar without any of the largest downfalls of the material.
To the builders considering a new build or renovation, or historic restoration, clay cedar shakes present an excellent alternative that can make a house beautiful and sheltered in the generations.