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Cedar Shake Roof

Replacing an Old Cedar Shake Roof in Kildeer

What a difference 3 days can make when replacing your aged cedar shake roof. That is exactly what happened when we recently replaced this old cedar shake roof in Kildeer, IL with new designer GAF Camelot II shingles. With a bigger exposure than cedar shake, the Camelot II shingle provides a refined look that is not too far from the appearance of natural slate or cedar shake. Open copper valleys and new copper flashings made this roof shine bright in comparison to the dull and deteriorated shake that was installed before.

Cedar shake may look nice when it is initially installed, but that appearance quickly degrades into shades of gray and brown. As time passes those colors fade even more, and the cedar shake begins to disintegrate. The new Camelot II shingle roof in Kildeer will not change colors until almost the end of its life, and even then it is never as dramatic as the color change in cedar shake. This is another reason why many homeowners are opting to replace their aged cedar shake roofs with new shingle roofs. While offering almost double the life expectancy, much lower costs, and a sophisticated look, it is a no brainer. Many homeowners are also choosing to upgrade a standard shingle to the designer choice, which upgrades the look of their home even more. That is what this homeowner decided to do when we installed a new shingle roof in Kildeer. The results speak for themselves.

What do you think?

SMART Roofing, Inc. is a full-service roofing contractor serving Kildeer and its surrounding suburbs. Select SMART Roofing, Inc. as your Kildeer Cedar Shake and Shingle Roofing Contractor with plenty of experience with wood shake and asphalt shingle roofs. From roof assessments and repairs to installations of virtually every type of new residential roof and commercial roof, our commitment to excellence, stellar customer service, and exceptional results are the “SMART” roofing difference. Contact the roofing experts at SMART Roofing, Inc. at (847) 797-0404, to learn more shingle roofs, visit gaf.com, or email us for your residential or commercial roofing needs.

Kildeer Cedar ShakeKildeer ShingleKildeer Shingle RoofKildeer Camelot II Shingle

Cedar Shake Roofs in the Chicagoland Climate

Cedar shakes are some of the more durable and visually appealing roof coverings. At least that was the case before architectural shingles and synthetic cedar shakes were introduced, with an expected lifespan the same, or in many cases longer than cedar shake. The main reason behind this is the Chicagoland climate, and the various weather extremes and high humidity.

As with any wood when it gets wet, it needs ample time and air quality to dry out, otherwise it can start rotting. While cedar is very resistant to moisture, cedar shake roofing still tends to stay wet longer than preferred, which leads to premature failure of cedar shake roofs. We have seen this happen time and time again. Even with proper installation, which includes using the correct stainless steel fasteners to prevent rust issues, proper felt and cedar breather underlayments to promote the drying process, and correct spacing for the cedar shakes themselves, many cedar roofs will only last about 20-30 years. With no manufacturer warranty due to being a natural product, this falls short of the recent roof life expectancy standard. The amount of rain, snow, and humidity are the main culprits. Since many of our Chicago summer days can stay above 80% humidity, when combined with a few rainy days, cedar shakes can stay wet for weeks on end. While the top of the cedar shake may appear dry, the core and underside of the cedar shake is often wet. Take into account the cloud coverage, and some days where we get no sunlight at all, and you have everything to need to make you cedar shake roof rot.

This takes us to the next point, the cost of cedar shake roofing as compared to longer lasting, or less expensive alternatives. The biggest competitor with cedar shake roofs are good old asphalt shingles, but with a new profile. While the old 3-tab shingles did not expect to look as nice or last as long as cedar shake roofs, new architectural shingles definitely will do both. With a thicker shingle, an expected lifespan of 30 years, and a manufacturer warranty, shingles are a great option. No matter the amount of rain, snow, sun, or humidity, asphalt shingles will never rot or decay due to being wet. Asphalt does not absorb moisture, and the fiberglass mat that compromises new architectural shingles adds an extra layer of durability. With an additional layer, these architectural shingles have more definition to match the depth of cedar shake, and many homeowners are finding that they are great substitutes for their old cedar shake roofs that need to be replaced. With a cost that is much lower, a new shingle roof is a very good alternative when looking at a cedar shake roof replacement.

The other option when replacing an aging cedar roof, and one that is gaining a lot of popularity, are synthetic cedar shakes. From very popular manufacturers such as Brava and DaVinci, these products are top of the line. With a variety of color choices, you can be sure that your new synthetic roof will look just like the real cedar shake, at different points of the aging color cycle. Textures that match real cedar shake, and variable synthetic cedar shake sizes also ensure that your new roof will look exactly like cedar shake, while lasting much much longer. When people hear synthetic, they assume these products are cheap plastic that will fall apart due to the heat or cold. That could not be further from the truth. Synthetic cedar shakes are most often made from composite roofing materials that will last upwards of 50 years, and the manufacturers of these products provide a 50-year warranty to back up their claim. Since composite materials do not absorb water or moisture, there is no worry of these roofing shakes rotting. Having the colors blended into the composite material also guarantees that your new synthetic roof will look just as good in the first year, as it will on year 50. With a price point very similar to many real cedar shakes, synthetic cedar shake roofs are taking over, and rightfully so.

As with any house changing decision, we encourage all homeowners to do their own research, and find what works best for them and their home. If you would like us to inspect your roof, provide an estimate, or have any questions regarding cedar shake roofs, shingle roofs, or synthetic roofs, feel free to contact the roofing experts at Smart Roofing Inc. at (847) 797-0404 or email us at  contactus@smartroofers.com

 

Featured Residential Roof – Glencoe, Illinois

Smart Roofing, Inc. is proud to share this beautiful Western Red Cedar Shake roof installation in Glencoe, Illinois. This residential roof features Certi-Guard®  cedar shakes made from Western Red Cedar.

Cedar Roof Glencoe 1

Cedar shakes are a highly durable roofing material. They hold up well during periods of heavy rain and snow and are impervious to bugs. Since cedar is a breathable material, it also helps preserve the structural integrity of the home by preventing condensation issues. This cedar shake roof installation features premium cedar shakes that have been pressure-impregnated with fire-retardant polymers to provide permanent fire protection. These products carry the label Certi-Guard® and has met C fire testing standards.

Another benefit of a cedar shake roof is that it is highly energy efficient. Testing has demonstrated that a cedar shake roof can keep an attic 28°F cooler during the hot summer months; and because the cell structure of wood makes it a natural insulator, the home will be kept warmer during the cold winter months. One of the main reasons so many people fall in love with cedar shake roofs is their unique look. No two cedar roofs look the same, so this is an ideal material if you want to add major curb appeal to your home.   (excerpts from roofcalc.org)

If you are ready for a new roof, contact Smart Roofing, Inc. at (847) 797-0404, or email us at contactus@smartroofers.com for your ALL of your residential or commercial roofing needs.

Western Red Cedar Shake Roof in Lake Forest on Smart Builders Custom Home

Residential RoofingThe roofing professionals at Smart Roofing, Inc. recently installed this beautiful Western Red Cedar Tapersawn Shake roof in Lake Forest.  Western Red Cedar Tapersawn Shakes are sawn on both sides giving it a look similar to a sawn shingle but with a thicker appearance, Tapersawn Shakes are known for their smooth uniform imposing look providing an exceptional looking roof.

Contact Smart Roofing, Inc. at (847) 797-0404, or email us at contactus@smartroofers.com for your ALL of your residential or commercial roofing needs.

 

 

 

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Please feel free to call us at 847.797.0404 or email to contactus@smartroofers.com
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SMART Roofing Featured Chicago Service Areas:

SMART Roofing serves the following Chicago Area: Algonquin, Alsip, Antioch, Arlington Heights, Aurora, Barrington, Barrington Hills, Bartlett, Batavia, Bedford Park, Bensenville, Berkeley, Berwyn, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Broadview, Brookfield, Buffalo Grove, Burbank, Burr Ridge, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Carpentersville, Chicago, Chicago Heights, Cicero, Country Club Hills, Countryside, Crestwood, Crete, Deer Park, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Dundee, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Flossmoor, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Glencoe, Glendale Heights, Glenview, Glenwood, Gurnee, Hampshire, Hanover Park, Harvey, Harwood Heights, Hazel Crest, Hickory Hills, Highland Park, Hinsdale, Hoffman Estates, Homewood, Huntley, Indian Head Park, Inverness, Itasca, Justice, Kenilworth, La Grange, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Lake Villa, Lake Zurich, Lansing, Lemont, Libertyville, Lincolnwood, Lisle, Long Grove, Lyons, Maine Township, Markham, Matteson, Melrose Park, Midlothian, Montgomery, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Niles, North Lake, Northbrook, Oak Brook, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Olympia Fields, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Oswego, Palatine, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Palos Township, Park Forest, Park Ridge, River Forest, Riverside, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Rosemont, Schaumburg, Schiller Park, South Barrington, Streamwood, Sugar Grove, Summit, Tinley Park, Vernon Hills, Westchester, Western Springs, Wheaton, Wheeling, Willow Springs, Wilmette, Winnetka, Wood Dale, Woodridge, Worth, Yorkville, and more.

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