Old Wood Shake Roof

Semitransparent oil based preservative stains on wood roofs.

Old wood shake roof.

If an old roof was once covered with wood shingles or shakes they were likely nailed to skip sheathing which consists of widely spaced 1 in. Typically it s composed of 1 6 deck boards spaced about 4 5 inches apart. In harsh weather where freeze thaw cycles are common or in wet weather climates they may not last as long. Tapersawn wood shakes are sawn on both sides for a semi textured look with a stronger shadowline than a wood shingle.

Cedar roofing comes in two varieties shingles or shakes. These can be brushed on or dipped before installation or professionally applied with spray equipment. This was possible because wood shakes are stiff planks of wood and would overlay these gaps without posing any sort of issue. There are two main types.

Chances are your old wood shake shingle roof was installed over what s called an open spaced deck. A shingleis tapered and smooth sawn on both surfaces for a uniform appearance. Wood shakes are thicker than wood shingles. Boards that allow air to circulate under the shingles and dry them.

A shakeis split to reveal the uneven natural grain of the wood on the face and isusually much thicker than a shingle. Climate can affect its life expectancy. Handsplit and resawn shakes have the split face exposed with a naturally rustic appearance and are sawn on the back. These days most roofers cover skip sheathing with plywood because it stiffens the roof and is safer to walk on.

1 handsplit and resawn and 2 tapersawn.