Built in the 1970s and 1980s, my community is largely comprised of single-story frame homes with T1-11 siding, cedar shake roofs, pools, and Chattahoochee driveways. At the time, the residences set the bar for new construction and aesthetics — this was Florida living at its best.
The limited load-bearing capability of wood homes requires a relatively light roofing material, and cedar accommodates this. It also stands up well to oceanside weather and salt — thus its extensive use as both roofing and siding in New England — and has an historical, natural look.
How times have changed. For one, cinder block has largely replaced timber for new construction. Secondly, the greatly enhanced load-bearing performance of cinder blocks makes possible the use of concrete and tile roofing material, which are highly durable and come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors.
In recent years, roofing has become a hot topic among neighbors since many original homes at this point need their roofs replaced for insurance requirements. Affected neighbors complained to the Homeowners Association (HOA) about its longstanding rule requiring cedar roofs only (no asphalt allowed); they wanted an expanded list of materials to choose from. A little research identified two materials that the HOA subsequently approved: a plastic composite and aluminum, both manufactured to mimic the look of cedar shakes (a requirement that remains in place).
Since our HOA’s rule modification, of all framed homes receiving a new roof in the past two years, I’d say 70 percent have gone with aluminum, 20 percent composite, and 10 percent cedar. A major benefit of aluminum is that it costs roughly 60 percent of cedar. Conversely, a major drawback is its appearance: manufactured and installed in the form of interlocking sheets, it looks, well, like stamped metal, medium brown but with a sheen. Also, long-term performance of both in the punishing tropics is not fully understood.
Whereas cost has shifted market share, another contributing factor is that cedar, despite its history, is a poorly understood product. Predictably, competing product manufacturers have planted misconceptions about cedar. Understandably, homeowners are risk averse when investing a small fortune in a new roof, and any whiff of product vulnerability, hassle, or added expense is enough to send them elsewhere.
Fair enough. In addition, not everyone has the resources or desire to select a high-end product. Thus, to meet consumer demand, the roofing market has evolved to offer an array of different products at all price levels; choice makes the economy tick.
The upshot of all this is that homeowners investing in cedar roofs have set themselves apart. They, a distinct minority, are willing to incur a higher cost to create a home with architectural, design, and aesthetic integrity and appeal, benefiting as well from the long-established protective properties of cedar. Simply stated, if you go to great lengths and expense to create a unique property, the added cost of cedar, in the bigger picture, is nominal.
To set the record straight — and help clarify things for homeowners facing an imminent roofing decision — the paragraphs to follow present a fact sheet on cedar. The information well conveys why cedar has long been, and remains, a gold standard for roofing material.
Cedar Properties
Cedar ranks as one of the most durable soft woods. Specifically, Western Red Cedar, used on the preponderance of roofs (the other option is Alaskan Yellow Cedar), is one of the strongest woods in the world. Cedar boasts a very low shrinkage rate, meaning it will lay flat and straight over time, with minimal splitting, holding nails tightly. In addition, cedar contains natural preservatives that resist moisture, insects, and decay, also blocking out damaging ultraviolet sun rays. Finally, cedar acts as a natural insulating material, conserving heating and cooling energy use. A newly installed, light brown cedar roof will turn a light-gray color after about nine months of natural weathering.
Cedar Strength
Cedar roofing has been used for hundreds of years. Its proven durability in varied
weather conditions is why so many coastal properties that experience severe weather conditions use it. Cedar roofs will withstand strong winds, heavy rain, large hail (no denting), and hurricane conditions with minimal-to-no problems. Indeed, the owner of the company that installed our cedar roof — vastly experienced in southern Florida for many decades — swears that their cedar roofs perform better than any other roofing materials he uses, because of the ability of the cedar roof to flex (slightly, but effectively) in high winds.
Shake Versus Shingle
Cedar roofing is cut by hand, imparting variance to individual pieces, which in turn contributes to its uniquely rustic and natural look. At first glance, cedar roofs look alike, but they’re not, some use shakes and others shingles — as preferred by the homeowner.
Shakes: hand split, face (i.e., exposed surface) has natural rustic appearance, sawn smooth on back. Thicker than shingles, thus more durable and more expensive.
Shingles: sawn smooth on both sides, imparting a more regular, tailored appearance (looking something like slices of bread). Importantly, shingles will typically perform better than shakes in high winds because they lay perfectly flat, presenting fewer cavities and edges for wind to catch and pull. (Note: we chose a shingle roof.)
The quality of cedar material — there are an abundance of grades to choose from — will largely determine the life of the roof. Highest-quality material excludes knots, other growth defects, and sapwood.
Actual Longevity
The useful lifespan of a premium grade cedar roof is roughly 30 years. Under ideal conditions and optimal maintenance, this could extend to 50 years. The primary threat to cedar is extended moisture — it’s best to keep these roofs in as much sun as possible. Acknowledging this, on our barrier island, cedar may not be the ideal material for homes nestled under live oaks. Optimal maintenance of a cedar roof has two parts:
Cleaning: keep debris and leaves off the roof. Remove or cut back nearby trees to increase direct sunlight and minimize moss, fungus, and insects. Clean gutters regularly to prevent standing water and moisture build-up.
Treatments: A variety of stains and coatings are available to protect the roof. Note: some experts recommend their use, others advocate keeping the roof in good repair, clean, in direct sunlight, letting the natural wood alone.
Installing our roof, the contractor used a relatively new product, branded CedAir-Mat, between the cedar shingles and sheathing below. Basically a loose nylon equivalent of medieval chain mail, it promotes air flow in all directions between the cedar and sheathing, reducing heat and moisture retention, and in doing so, prolonging life of the roof structure. This contractor believes the product will extend the roof’s life by ten years.
Two final things to mention about cedar roofs. First, they are eco-friendly. Much of the wood utilized is from salvage wood, or wood that would otherwise be left on the forest floor; cedar is bio-degradable and recyclable; felled trees are replaced with new saplings. And lastly, while more costly initially than other roofing materials, homes with cedar roofs of moderate age and in good condition will often sell at a premium. There are a ton of folks who simply love the look, and will prefer a cedar roof given the chance to have one.
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