Wood roofing has been a popular choice for homeowners for centuries, offering a natural appearance, distinctive character, and reliable protection from the elements. Today, wood shingles and wood shakes remain attractive roofing options for homeowners who want something different from traditional asphalt shingles or modern synthetic materials.
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, wood shingles and wood shakes are two different roofing products. They differ in how they are manufactured, their appearance, installation requirements, durability, and overall cost.
Understanding the differences between these materials can help homeowners determine which option best suits their home's architectural style, budget, and maintenance expectations.
What Is a Wood Shingle Roof?
A wood shingle roof is made from thin, tapered pieces of wood that are cut using specialized saws. These pieces are typically manufactured from durable wood species, with western red cedar being one of the most popular choices.
Because the shingles are sawn on both sides, they have a relatively smooth surface and consistent shape. This creates a neat, uniform appearance when installed across a roof.
Wood shingles are available in several lengths, thicknesses, and grades. Homeowners can also choose from different wood species and finishes depending on their preferences.
Cedar is particularly popular because it contains natural oils and extractives that help protect against moisture, insects, and decay.
One of the biggest advantages of wood shingles is their classic appearance. They offer a clean, traditional aesthetic that complements a variety of architectural styles, including cottages, craftsman homes, and traditional residential properties.
Over time, untreated cedar shingles typically weather into a natural silver-gray color, giving homes an attractive, aged appearance.
What Is a Wood Shake Roof?
A wood shake roof is also made from natural wood, but the manufacturing process is different.
Rather than being uniformly sawn on both sides, traditional wood shakes are produced by splitting sections of wood along the natural grain. This creates a thicker, more textured roofing material with a distinctive rustic appearance.
Some modern shakes are split on one side and sawn on the other to create a more consistent installation surface. These are often called hand-split and resawn shakes.
Wood shakes are generally thicker than wood shingles, particularly along the exposed bottom edge, known as the butt.
This additional thickness creates deeper shadows and more pronounced texture across the roof.
Wood shakes are commonly manufactured from western red cedar, although other wood species may also be available.
Their rugged appearance makes them particularly appealing for mountain homes, cabins, rustic properties, and homes with natural architectural features.
Wood Shingle vs Wood Shake: What Are the Main Differences?
When comparing wood shingle vs wood shake roofing, the biggest difference is how the materials are manufactured.
Wood shingles are sawn on both sides, producing smooth, relatively uniform pieces. Wood shakes are traditionally split along the wood grain, creating a thicker, more irregular, textured surface.
There are several other differences worth considering.
1. Appearance
Wood shingles provide a cleaner, more consistent appearance. Their smooth surfaces create a relatively uniform roof that works well with traditional and contemporary architectural designs.
Wood shakes offer a more rustic and natural appearance. Their uneven surfaces and varying thicknesses create depth, texture, and visual character.
2. Thickness
Wood shakes are generally thicker than wood shingles. This gives them a more substantial appearance and can provide additional material depth.
Wood shingles are thinner and more uniform, making them easier to arrange into consistent overlapping rows.
3. Installation
Both materials require specialized installation techniques. However, shakes can be more complicated to install because of their varying thicknesses and irregular surfaces.
Shake roofing systems also typically require interlayment between courses, while conventional wood shingles are installed using a different layering method.
4. Durability
Both products can provide decades of service when manufactured from quality wood and properly installed.
Wood shakes may offer advantages in certain applications because of their thicker construction and the way split wood follows the natural grain. However, overall performance depends heavily on wood quality, exposure, ventilation, installation, and maintenance.
5. Maintenance
Neither material is maintenance-free. Both can be affected by moisture, algae, moss, insects, and natural weathering.
Regular inspections and keeping the roof clear of debris are important for maintaining their performance.
Pros and Cons of Wood Shingle Roofing
Wood shingles offer several benefits, particularly for homeowners who appreciate natural materials and a more refined roofing appearance.
Advantages of wood shingles:
Natural beauty: Smooth, consistent surfaces create a classic and attractive roof.
Lightweight construction: Wood shingles are generally lighter than many other roofing materials, reducing the structural demands on the home.
Natural insulation: Wood provides some insulating properties, helping moderate heat transfer.
Renewable material: Wood is a renewable resource when responsibly harvested.
Versatile styles: Different wood species, grades, and finishes allow homeowners to customize their roof.
Repairability: Individual damaged shingles can often be replaced without removing the entire roof.
Disadvantages of wood shingles:
Fire vulnerability: Untreated wood is combustible and may not be permitted in certain wildfire-prone areas.
Maintenance requirements: Regular inspections and debris removal are important to prevent moisture-related deterioration.
Moisture sensitivity: Poor ventilation and trapped moisture can encourage rot, mold, and mildew.
Potential insect damage: Certain insects can damage untreated or poorly maintained wood roofing.
Higher costs: Wood shingles generally cost more than standard asphalt shingles.
Pros and Cons of Wood Shake Roofing
Wood shakes offer many of the same benefits as wood shingles, but their thicker construction and textured appearance make them a distinctive roofing choice.
Advantages of wood shakes:
Rustic appearance: Their natural texture creates a distinctive, dimensional appearance.
Durability: Quality cedar shakes can provide decades of protection when properly installed and maintained.
Natural insulation: Their thicker construction offers some additional insulating benefits.
Weather protection: Properly installed shake systems can provide reliable protection against wind and rain.
Architectural appeal: They complement cabins, mountain homes, craftsman properties, and rustic residential designs.
Natural material: Responsibly sourced wood offers a renewable alternative to some manufactured roofing products.
Disadvantages of wood shakes:
Higher installation costs: Their thickness and specialized installation requirements can increase labor expenses.
Fire risk: Untreated wood is combustible, which can be a significant concern in wildfire-prone communities.
Ongoing maintenance: Shakes require regular inspections to identify deterioration, moisture problems, and damaged pieces.
Moisture concerns: Poor ventilation and accumulated debris can contribute to decay.
More complicated repairs: Matching older shakes and replacing damaged sections can require specialized materials and labor.
How Much Does Wood Shingle and Wood Shake Roofing Cost?
Cost is an important consideration when choosing between these two roofing materials.
Generally, wood shingles are less expensive than wood shakes because they are thinner, more uniform, and typically easier to install.
Wood shakes tend to cost more because they require additional material, specialized manufacturing, and more labor-intensive installation.
However, several factors influence the final price of either roofing system:
Wood species: Western red cedar is a popular roofing material, but premium grades and specialty wood species can increase costs.
Material grade: Higher-quality wood products generally cost more but may offer better consistency and durability.
Roof size: Larger roofs require more materials and labor.
Roof complexity: Steep slopes, valleys, dormers, and multiple roof sections can increase installation expenses.
Existing roof removal: Removing old roofing materials adds labor and disposal costs.
Fire-retardant treatments: Specialized treatments can increase the material price.
Installation requirements: Proper ventilation, underlayment, and installation techniques all contribute to the overall project cost.
Homeowners should also consider long-term maintenance expenses when comparing estimates. A less expensive roofing material may not necessarily be the most economical option over the roof's entire lifespan.
It is worth requesting separate estimates for wood shingles and wood shakes so you can compare materials, labor, warranties, and expected maintenance requirements.
How Long Do Wood Shingles and Wood Shakes Last?
The lifespan of a wood roof depends on the wood species, product quality, installation, local climate, and maintenance routine.
As a general guideline:
Wood shingles: Approximately 15–25 years.
Wood shakes: Approximately 15-25 years, depending on the product and conditions.
Western red cedar is particularly popular because its natural oils help protect it against moisture and biological deterioration.
However, even high-quality cedar roofing requires maintenance. Homeowners should schedule regular inspections, remove accumulated leaves and branches, maintain clean gutters, and ensure adequate attic ventilation.
Keeping the roof dry and allowing sufficient airflow between roofing layers can help extend its useful life.
Important Considerations Before Installing a Wood Roof
Although wood roofing offers many benefits, it is not suitable for every home or location.
Fire safety is one of the most important considerations. Natural wood is combustible, making untreated shingles and shakes a potential concern in areas with significant wildfire exposure.
Some manufacturers offer pressure-treated, fire-retardant wood roofing products. However, treatment does not automatically mean a product is approved for every application or meets every fire-rating requirement.
Homeowners should check local building codes, wildfire-related restrictions, and insurance requirements before purchasing materials.
Proper ventilation, underlayment, spacing, and fastening techniques are essential for preventing premature deterioration and protecting the home from moisture intrusion.
Give Troost Roofing a Call for a Free Estimate!
Both wood shingles and wood shakes offer homeowners an attractive alternative to conventional roofing materials. Their natural appearance, insulating properties, and distinctive character make them appealing choices for many residential properties.
The decision ultimately comes down to your preferred aesthetic, budget, maintenance expectations, and local building requirements.
If you want wood shingles or wood shakes for your home’s new roof, contact Troost Roofing for an estimate!
