Wood
shakes are a viable solution for a lightweight, natural-looking
roof surface. Today's shakes are treated with fire retardant
to meet the minimum state requirements for roofing materials.
The initial retardant rating is a class "C" which meets
most city requirements in the state of California. They can be
upgraded to a class "B"
fire rating, improving the overall retardant capabilities of
this product. Some cities and counties
require a class "A" system because of the location
of the building, near or in a potentially hazardous fire area.
This installation requires a cement board called "Densdeck"
or a 72lbs. capsheet under the shake thus providing theextra
protection needed.When using shake materials such as cedar, it
is important to carefully note the quality of the shake. A less-than-honest
salesman or installer may try to sell you a nice looking shake
both in appearance andthickness;
but if you do not know what to look for in quality, you can spend
a lot of money and buy an inferior roof product. Shakes are rated
by the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau for quality and cut. Each
bundle of shakes is labeled either class "C" or "B" for
retardant, and the best grades have a label that indicate the
percentage of edge grain, (100% edge grain is usually the best).
Always look for shakes that have a 100% vertical edge grain label
on them to assure of quality and durability. Never buy a shake
less than ¾" thick. If you want a product to last
30 to 35 years or longer, purchase ¾"-1" or
greater to meet that performance level. Although a more expensive
option, wood shakes are considered a good investment if quality
and durability are retained. Installations of wood shakes make
up about 10% of the overall market.
