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WOOD
Wood Shakes and Shingles: Tips for Longer Life
Shingles are sawn from wood blocks; they are tapered and generally havea relatively smooth surface. Shakes are split from wood blocks; they are less uniform in thickness than shingles,
are sometimes grooved, and frequently have little taper. Shakes may be split, then sawn to provide
taper as well as a relatively flat side, which is turned away from the weather during installation.
Shingles and shakes can also be used on sidewalls, but only roofs are addressed here. In this circular, the term shingles includes shingles and shakes.
Select Durable and/orTreated Wood
The most important factor to have when buying shingles is durability—
its resistance to decay. Some woods have natural durability. The heartwood of old-growth
western red cedar is rated as extremely durable.
The most commonly used wood for shingles is western red cedar.
Treated southern yellow pine taper- sawn shingles are also available.
Select only the top grade of shingles manufactured with edge-grained heartwood (or treated sapwood).
A lower grade of shingles can be used on sidewalls or areas that require an undercourse.
Apply Appropriate Finish
Weathering rapidly deteriorates any finishing system. You can apply
various finishes and preservatives to shingles to reduce weathering
and decay and to obtain a particular color. Prefinishing shingles
is not difficult and is well worth the effort.
Film-forming finishes, such as paint, solid-color stains, or varnish,
should never be used on roofs.
Semi-transparent penetrating oil-based stains are the most effective finishes for roofs.
Water-repellent preservatives can also be used on roofs, although their life expectancy is less than
that of semi-transparent stains.
Install Shingles Properly
How shingles are installed influences the moisture condition of the
roof; moisture buildup greatly affects service life.
Perform Maintenance
Leaves and other debris that accumulate on roofs, particularly in the
valleys and gutters, trap moisture in shingles, increasing the likelihood of decay. Therefore, clean
loose debris from roofs and gutters routinely.
*Periodically check the roof for moss or lichen growth and apply a chemical
treatment if necessary. A solution of 1 quart household bleach, 1 ounce detergent,
and 3 quarts warm water can be used to clean the roof.
The eco-shake is an innovative roofing material comprised of 100% recycled materials, reinforced vinyl and cellulose fiber. The eco-shake shingle is designed to resemble and replace wood shake shingles.
The eco-shake has a Class A fire rating and a Class 4 impact rating, the highest ratings achievable from Underwriters Laboratories (UL®). The eco-shake is lightweight and has been installed in over 45 states, Canada and the Caribbean. The eco-shake performs admirably even in extreme weather conditions with no cracking, fading or curling. In fact, an eco-shake roof requires no maintenance and is so durable it is backed by a 50 year transferable warranty.
The eco-shake is an excellent roofing product for all climates and is ideally suited for both residential and commercial use.
Eco-shakes are available in three desirable colors to better replicate a weathered wood shake roof. Custom colors are available. Eco-shakes are pre-packaged in random widths of 5, 7 and 12 inches, and are 22 inches in length.
eco-shake advantages
50 year warranty
Class A fire rating (UL® 790)
Class 4 impact rating (UL® 2218)
Freeze thaw resistant
Passes 110 mph Wind Driven Rain Testing
No maintenance
Color solid throughout (no chipping, peeling, scratching)
UV protected
100% recycled material
* when installed over 1/4" densdeck
ASPHALT
Welcome Homeowners!
CertainTeed manufacturers the industry’s most extensive line of asphalt shingles. Pioneering the concept of multi-layered shingles, also known as architectural or designer shingles, the company has been an industry leader in color innovation with complex color blending technology and the introduction of bold designer shingle colors such as variegated reds, blues and greens.
CertainTeed offers a broad array of asphalt shingles in various shapes, colors and styles. The most popular are the Luxury and Premium Shingles that emulate the look of wood, slate and other natural materials. Traditional Shingles offer beauty, value and protection.
Which Shingle Should I Choose?
Fifteen or twenty years ago, with fewer shingles on the market and little variation between them, it was relatively simple to choose the best shingle for the job. That is no longer the case.
Today, the available array of shingle styles, colors, and materials is matched only by your imagination. CertainTeed is proud to be at the forefront of this new era. An era where technology and style work hand in hand to produce beautiful and lasting results.
Nothing Endures Outdoors Like Asphalt Shingles
When a roof can account for as much as 40% of the average home’s exterior, many factors weigh into the choice of materials. Some surfaces are more beautiful than others. Some offer greater resilience or endurance. Some are more affordable. But the one roofing surface which offers all those attributes in balance is the asphalt shingle.
Now accounting for about 80% of the residential roof surfacing in the United States, asphalt shingles are measured against a variety of standards that evaluate fire and wind resistance, tear strength, and other key performance indicators. For fiber glass shingles, ASTM D3462 is considered the most important.
This comprehensive standard covers tear strength, nail-pull resistance and pliability, among other shingle characteristics.
Over 20 CertainTeed fiber glass shingles are independently certified by Underwriters Laboratories to meet the tough ASTM D3462 standard.
Impact Resistant Shingles
Before these products could earn the designation “Impact Resistant” for impact resistance they had to prove themselves.
Specifically they had to withstand the impact of a 2” steel ball, dropped from a height of 20 feet, without cracking.
We chose three of our most popular products, added a fiber glass scrim for durability and all three have earned the highest UL2218 Class 4 impact resistant designation.
Some insurance companies offer premium discounts for the use of UL2218 Class 4 products; check with your agent to see if you are entitled to a discount.
EPDM
EPDM Rubber Membrane – The Flat Roof Solution Due to inflexibility, weathering and failing joints, sooner or later
conventional flat roofing methods will leak. If you have been struggling with a flat roof leak, or you have a flat or gently sloping roof project, you’ll be excited to discover EPDM rubber roofing. With billions of square feet installed, EPDM has been proven to give many years of leak free service.
About Black EPDM
Black EPDM has been used extensively (billions of sq feet in service) in roofing applications since the 1960’s and has survived the world’s toughest climates for over 30 years. “Unlike with roll roofing, we’ve never been called back for a rubber-roof job that leaked, even on oceanfront projects that experience gale-force winds on a regular basis,” declare contractors Rick Arnold and Mike Guertin, authors of “Installing a Rubber Roof” (Fine Homebuilding, January, 1998).
Black EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) roofing membrane is a flexible rubber material available in 45 mil (about the thickness of a dime), 60 mil (about the thickness of a quarter) and 90 mil (about the thickness of two dimes). With its superior flexibility and high strength, EPDM can easily contour to unusual roof shapes. Black EPDM is sold in sheets up to 50’ wide and 100’ long, making seams unnecessary for most applications.
A study by ERM in 2004 evaluated 33 EPDM roofs in 9 states that had been in place for 16-26 years. “In all cases, the membranes were found to be watertight and functional with no obvious effect from long-term exposure to water, ultraviolet radiation, ozone, heat and thermal cycling.” [Professional Roofing Magazine, March, 2005]
About White on Black EPDM
White on Black EPDM has been installed on RV’s since 1983. Due to low maintenance, ease of repair, clean appearance, noise insulation, and temperature insulation, white on black EPDM
roofing membranes are now standard on 3 out of 4 new RV’s. Now the energy efficiency of
white on black EPDM has been discovered for uses such as house boat roofs, mobile home roofs,
and residential flat or low pitched house roofs.
Note: White on black EPDM membrane is not designed for heavy foot traffic.
White on Black EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) roofing membrane
is a flexible rubber material available in 40 mil (about the thickness of a dime).
With its superior flexibility and high strength, EPDM can easily contour to unusual roof shapes.
METAL
Durability and long lasting beauty make metal roofing a superior choice for residential applications. You’ll appreciate the value metal roofing offers as the years accumulate with practically no maintenance or replacement costs. Whether you want a sleek, contemporary look, a classic, traditional look or a rustic look for your country home or log cabin, Fabral has the style and color you need.
ROOFING METALS
STEEL ROOF
Englert is the only company that offers its roll formed metal standing seam material in both Galvalume and Galvalume Plus. Galvalume steel is an ideal roofing material because of its strength, extraordinary outdoor corrosion resistance and longevity. Galvalume® and Galvalume Plus®, which Englert offers exclusively, are produced by coating steel with a special Aluminum-Zinc alloy that provides more than twice the corrosion resistance of galvanized steel. It delivers the optimum combination of the features of aluminum and zinc: the barrier protection and long-term durability of aluminum and the sacrificial or galvanic protection of sheared edges that is characteristic of zinc.
Galvalume is offered in both bare and pre-painted versions. Engert offers galvalume in 26 standard Ultra-Cool colors and is unique in its ability to custom paint aluminum coil and sheet to requirements as little as 5,000 pounds.
Galvalume Plus is the same bare Galvalume product with a thin, clear acrylic coating. Galvalume Plus can be roll formed dry without vanishing oil, making it much easier to form and install safely.
Galvalume Plus resists fingerprinting and smudging during handling and installation at the jobsite and has excellent resistance to storage stain and transit corrosion.
Galvalume in its bare and acrylic coated forms meets the requirements of the E.P.A Energy Star Program for reflective roofing materials.
Galvalume sheet roofing at about 1.5 pounds per square foot is lighter than either a built-up or single-ply system up to 15 pounds per square foot.
COPPER ROOF
Copper, rooted in centuries of use, will not rust, has no finish to scratch or peel, is soft enough to easily tool and weathers naturally to a beautiful, natural green patina. Although considerably more expensive than aluminum and steel, copper is the metal of choice for buildings with a long design life.
ALUMINUM ROOF
Aluminum is extremely lightweight, won’t rust but must be painted or coated for appearance. Coatings are similar to those used on steel.
Aluminum is a viable option for virtually any roof where steel or other materials are being considered, particularly in coastal environments where salt air can cause corrosion. Its natural properties of light weight, strength and longevity make it a desirable roofing material particularly for eproofing where aluminum does not require structural reinforcement.
Aluminum is more malleable than steel and can generally be formed into more intricate and detailed product designs which allow the building of strength and beauty into a roof. Engert is unique in its ability to custom paint aluminum coil and sheet to requirements as little as 5,000 pounds.
Fifteen or twenty years ago, with fewer shingles on the market and little variation between them, it was relatively simple to choose the best shingle for the job. That is no longer the case.
