If you're considering wood roofing materials for your next project, then you may have already started thinking about whether to choose wood shingles or shakes. There is a wide range of wood roofing products that can work perfectly for particular projects, but one you'll definitely want to consider is tapersawn shake.
Tapersawn shakes are hybrid products that feature the qualities of shingles and shakes. They are beautifully smooth and uniform with just enough texture to still provide that rustic charm. Tapersawn shakes can be the perfect complement to a variety of architectural styles, from historic cabins to luxury vacation homes.
Learn more about the roofing material, including possible applications for it, and variations of it you may want to consider.
What Is Tapersawn Shake?
Tapersawn shakes are really a hybrid of wood shingles and wood shakes. Some people use the terms shingle and shake interchangeably, but the two materials are actually quite different.
Wood shingles are sawn on both sides, making them appear uniform and smooth. They also tend to be fairly thin, though they are wedge-shaped. The thicker end, known as the butt or tab, is what faces down on the roof. Because shingles are thin, they can be layered tightly, which results in an appearance that is neat and tidy as opposed to the looser look of shakes.
Wood shakes also tend to be tapered like shingles, but rather than being sawn, they are traditionally split from a block of wood. Shakes have a much rougher surface than shingles, creating a more rustic appearance on a roof.
Shakes today are often sawn on one side and split on the other. The split side is the side you see facing out. Shakes tend to be thicker at the butt compared to shingles, so they cast more dramatic shadows on the roof. Shakes aren't layered quite as tightly as shingle. Unlike shingles, shakes are applied with a layer of roofing felt underneath as underlayment.
Tapersawn shakes may be called shakes, but they don't quite fit the typical definition of a cedar shake. In fact, they have more in common with shingles, which is why you'll also hear them called tapersawn shingles at times.
They are thick like other shakes and are installed the same way, but they are not hand split. Instead, they are sawn on both sides and around the edges, like a shingle. The result is a hybrid that combines the smooth uniformity of shingles with the heavier shadow line of shakes.
The combination makes them a popular wood roofing choice. Since tapersawn shakes combine some of the appeal of a shingle with some of the appeal of a shake, they are a great option for architects or homeowners looking to create a look that is both rustic and clean. If you can't decide between cedar shakes and cedar shingles, choosing a tapersawn shake is the perfect compromise.
What Is a Certi-Sawn Shake?
When you're looking into tapersawn shakes as an option for your project, you'll likely come across the term Certi-Sawn shakes. Certi-Sawn is a registered trademark that identifies tapersawn shakes manufactured by members of the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau (CSSB). The CSSB is North America’s independent authority on wood shake and shingle products. The brand name Certi-Sawn shake is often used in place of the generic term.
Certi-Sawn shakes aren't the only Certi-brand products. All shakes and shingles made by CSSB members are worthy of the Certi brand. Rather than all being manufactured in one place, Certi-label products are produced in member mills. No matter where they are produced, Certi-Sawn shakes and other Certi products are all manufactured by skilled craftsmen who are committed to producing quality wood shakes and shingles. Member mills all abide by a strict standard of quality, and all products are inspected to ensure they meet the standards.
Certi-Sawn shakes come in a variety of widths which adds to their irregular appearance and rustic charm. They also come in a few different grades, with the highest being premium. Each grade comes with its own specifications, including the dimensions of the shakes, so you can find the best option for your qualifications and application.
Common Applications of Tapersawn Shakes and Shingles
Tapersawn shakes are an excellent choice for a variety of projects. They can be used for both roofing and siding. Roofing projects that may call for tapersawn shakes include any homes or buildings that are meant to have a historical, natural or rustic appearance. Take a look at some examples of buildings that tend to benefit from the look of a tapersawn shake roof:
Historical restorations: Restorations or replicas of historic buildings call for historically authentic building materials, which includes wooden shakes and shingles. For any restoration project, you'll want to select the building material that matches the aesthetic of the building. In many cases, tapersawn shakes may be the best option. They have an old-warm charm that is perfect for a historical home or building.
Museums: For some museums, the building itself is just as much a tribute to the past as the exhibits inside. If you want your museum to feature time-honored architectural details, consider a tapersawn shake roof. Rather than point to one specific time period or geographical region, tapersawn shakes have a general old-world feel that can span centuries and continents.
Luxury homes: Luxury homes, especially those with older architectural styles, are perfect candidates for a tapersawn shake roof. Because tapersawn shakes are smooth and uniform, they are perfect for a homeowner who is looking for the drama and uniqueness of a wooden shake roof without the rough, irregularity you would get with standard wood shakes.
Cottages: If you could describe your home as a cottage, then a wood shake roof is a perfect option. Tapersawn shakes can be used not only for the roof but for the exterior walls of a cottage, as well. If your cottage has a roof with curved eaves or rolling gables, Custom Shingles can steam-bend your shakes to fit perfectly with your cottage's design.
Cabins: A wood shake or shingle roof is an excellent choice for cabins. If you want a rough, rustic appearance, then traditional shakes could be the best choice. If you want to combine the rustic feel with a smoother look, tapersawn shakes are the perfect way to go.
Vacation homes: Vacation homes shouldn't feel like your average construction. One powerful way to differentiate a vacation home from other properties is with a beautiful wood roof. A wood roof is an especially fitting design element for vacation homes that are meant to make you feel you've been transported to a simpler time or to a uniquely luxurious place.
Craftsman homes: Cedar shingles were a popular material used on Craftsman bungalows. The Craftsman movement was partly inspired by a shift back to natural materials, so it makes sense that cedar shingles were a popular choice. If you're reroofing your Craftsman home, then tapersawn shakes are a great option to consider.
Coastal homes: One of the most charming features of New England coastal architecture is the shingle-style design. The design was originally popularized in the late nineteenth century in high-end vacation homes and features wood shingles as siding. Of course, the shingles on the roof were wood, as well. For beautiful seaside homes today, tapersawn shakes are a classic option to consider.
Mountain homes: Cedar shakes and shingles are especially common on homes in the Pacific Northwest and Colorado, where Cedarwood is common. Homes in these regions, as well as homes in other mountainous or forest locations, are perfect candidates for cedar roofs, including tapersawn shakes. A wood roof can bring out the natural appeal of the home and the landscape.
There are many other architectural styles and property types that would look lovely with a tapersawn shake roof. Because wood shingles and shakes are such a classic roofing material, they can go well with many styles. And because they have become less and less common on modern homes, they can give your home or building a unique quality that similar properties are missing.
Other Variations
Architects and homeowners considering tapersawn shakes are often curious about other cedar shakes and shingles, as well. Take a look at other wood shake options, which can work for a wood roofing project that may otherwise use tapersawn shakes:
Handsplit Shakes
One option to consider is handsplit shakes, sometimes called resawn shakes. The shakes are produced by cutting blocks from cedar logs and then splitting the block to create two shakes. Next, the shakes are cut diagonally with a bandsaw, to produce two tapered shakes. Each shake is sawn on the back and split on the top, which results in a more rough, rustic appearance on the surface.
Tapersplit Shakes
Another option to consider is a tapersplit shake. Tapersplit shakes are split by hand with a froe and mallet. To achieve a tapered shape, the craftsperson reverses the orientation of the block each time they make a split. The shakes are typically then resawn. Because these shakes are made by hand the traditional way, they are a premium product that is rare today. They are a valuable option for projects that call for historical accuracy or an especially rustic architectural feel.
Barn Shakes
Barn shakes worth considering if you're thinking about installing a tapersawn shake roof. Barn shakes start out as blocks of cedar which are hand-split in a straight line. For this reason, barn shakes are also sometimes called straight splits. The result is a straight shingle with a uniform thickness instead of a taper. As you can imagine, these shingles have a homespun look that makes them perfect for heritage projects and rustic homes.
Where Can I Buy Tapersawn Shakes/Shingles?
If you're considering tapersawn shakes for your roofing or siding project, then you'll need to find the best place to get your material. Since tapersawn shakes are not everyday roofing material, you'll want to turn your attention to specialty sources that focus on cedar shingles and other high-end roofing products.
Custom Shingles has been around since 1982. We're known for our ability to customize and create the perfect roof or siding to bring your vision to life. When you choose to partner with Custom Shingles for your project, you can expect great results, whether that's following stringent standards of historical accuracy or simply giving your home a fresh new look.
Learn More About Cedar Roofing Products From Custom Shingles
If you want to learn more about cedar roofing products you may want to consider for your project, take advantage of the many resources we offer on our site. You can even explore options by architectural style in case that's helpful for you as you identify the best option for your unique home.
We are also happy to answer your questions and provide whatever guidance we can to help you make the right roofing decision for your home. If you want to get in touch, contact us today. Custom Shingles will give you the guidance, quality products and skilled work it takes to turn an ordinary home or building into something extraordinary.