Aesthetically beautiful and traditionally popular, wood-shingled roofs could easily be deemed as one of the most popular forms of roofing material still in use today. In colonial times, wood shingles were the primary type of roofing in use. Even with today’s modern advancements in roofing technology and materials, the classic look of wood shingles still appeals to many homeowners.
If you are in the process of choosing a new roof for your home, you may be tempted to skip over wood shingles as an option in favor of something more modern, such as asphalt shingles. This is probably because you’ve heard some of the following common myths associated with this form of roofing. Read on to learn the truth about wood roof shingles.
MYTH: WOOD SHINGLES DON'T LAST VERY LONG COMPARED TO ASPHALT SHINGLES
Because wood is a natural material, it is easy to assume that it will not last as long as man-made asphalt shingles or that it is not as resilient or sturdy. Many prospective roofing-material buyers assume that wood shingles will be prone to problems such as:
- Rot and mold
- Water damage
- Breakage and cracks
However, wood roofing materials are actually highly resilient to the elements, and wood shingles actually last about as long as asphalt shingles when installed properly and taken care of by the homeowner.
A typical lifespan for wood shingles is about 30 years, which is actually longer than some types of asphalt shingles but comparable to most. Asphalt shingles, depending on their structure and on the manufacturer, tend to last between 15 and 30 years.
MYTH: WOOD SHINGLE ROOFS ARE HARD TO MAINTAIN AND REQUIRE A LOT OF ATTENTION
In today's busy world, most homeowners want a roof they can have installed and forget about for the most part, as they feel that they simply don't have time for ongoing maintenance. So it is understandable if you are concerned about the additional maintenance that certain materials may require. However, wood shingles are not too difficult to maintain. There are three basic steps to maintaining your wood shingles:
- Occasionally sweep all dirt and moss away
- Clean the roof with a pressure washer if there is dirt or debris that cannot be swept away
- Have the shingles sealed with a protective sealer every three to five years, especially if you live in a humid climate
In addition, it is important that you have any damages to your wood roof repaired quickly so that the rest of the shingles are not compromised.
MYTH: WOOD SHINGLES ARE NOT A GREEN-FRIENDLY ROOFING OPTION
Even though wood shingles are created from natural materials rather than from synthetics, this form of roof is still considered environmentally-friendly. The shingles are so small and thin cut that it doesn't take a lot of wood to create enough shingles to cover an entire roof. Some wood shingle manufacturers even use wood from fallen or dead timber that would otherwise just go to waste.
Even more importantly, wood shingles are naturally biodegradable because they are created from natural materials. Unlike asphalt shingles or even metal ones, when the roofing materials are removed, wood shingles pose no risk to the surrounding environment and can even be repurposed as mulch or for use as ground insulation or nourishment.
In the end, there are a lot of reasons why wood shingles make good sense for a residential property. Getting the myths out of the way will help you determine if this is the right roofing solution for your home. If you would like to know more about wood shingles or shakes for your roof,
contact the roofing experts at
DeMello Roofing.
