Specialty Roofs

A cedar shake roof is made of natural wood shingles cut from cedar trees. Shingles are split by hand or through a saw into a tapered thickness, giving them rugged and smooth looks. This makes a cedar shake roof one of the most aesthetically pleasing.

Cedar shingles come in 3 grades: common, selects, and 100% straight grain. It is best to go for 100% straight grain for durability and aesthetics, even if it is the most expensive option. There are no stockpiles of cedar shake shingles. These are made on order and take several weeks to arrive, so consider this if you are planning to invest in a cedar shake roof.

With proper installation, regular maintenance, and an ideal climate (neither very moist nor very dry), cedar shake roofs can last 30 to 50 years. Cleaning the roof and gutters from wet debris as part of maintenance is critical as moisture shortens a cedar shake roof’s lifespan.

There are also synthetic cedar shake shingles made of recycled materials or engineered polymer in the market. They mimic the appearance of natural cedar shingles with realistic grain patterns and grooves and are available in multiple color options and styles. Synthetic cedar shingles can last 40 to 50 years when properly installed and have a high impact rating.

A slate roof is a premium system made of slate tiles, one of the most beautiful and long-lasting materials available. Slate tiles are installed one at a time which makes installation a very slow process that should be handled only by experienced roofing contractors to protect your investment. Furthermore, slate roofs are very heavy, so the house must be built or framed to carry the weight of the tiles to prevent walls from falling out or that the roof caves in. If the house structure is not prepared to support a slate roof, retrofitting is necessary.

Although a slate roof system is very expensive, when installed and flashed correctly, it can last 75 to 100 years and will probably be the last roof you will purchase for a home.

As with cedar shakes, there are synthetic slate shingles available designed to resemble a slate roof. Properly installed, these synthetic shingles can last 40 to 50 years.

Tile roofs are centuries old, and the tiles that comprise them are made of clay, slate, and concrete. These materials last a lifetime, are weather-resistant, fireproof, have excellent heat insulation, and are one of the most environmentally-friendly roofing products, easily recyclable and reusable. They are also beautiful and add dimension and color to a building.

Tile roofing is recommended for hot weather or exposure to salt air and requires sturdy roof framing to support the tiles' weight. Although tiles used to be made from slate or fired clay, today, roofing tiles are often made from molded, tinted concrete.

Contact us to learn more about specialty roofing materials and discover your options for your roofing project.

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