Replies

1. 
   rez | Apr 29, 2008 06:11pm | #1

   Greetings too,

   This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.

   Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.

   Cheers

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2. 
   Piffin | Apr 29, 2008 06:21pm | #2

   There is fire treated to resit flammability and there is PT chemical treatment to resist rot.

   In my experience, the latter is used for shakes only to try to sell species that are inappropriate for roofing. Even though they sometimes are effective at preventing rotting shakes, these woods are still far more likely to split, cup, twist and need replacement within ten years anyways. Stick with the Cedar.

    

    

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3. 
   Dinosaur | Apr 30, 2008 01:42am | #3

   Piffin's got it nailed on the type of wood: cedar is the way to go. But two important considerations that have a bearing on the longevity of any wood roofing are sun exposure and pitch. Both of these affect the longevity of wood shakes or shingles because they affect how well the roof dries between wettings.

   Shallow pitch roofs don't drain as rapidly, or as well, as steeper ones. There is also the question of ice damming, if you are in the snow belt. Below 6 in 12, I don't think shakes are a good idea although you may find some people who are willing to put them on a roof as shallow as 4 in 12.

   Secondly, the roof of a house which is heavily shaded by trees, landscape (hills, etc.) or other buildings will dry very slowly. Areas which receive little or no direct sunlight can take days or weeks to dry completely after a bad downpour, and that will shorten the life of wood shakes quite noticeably. Roofs which collect dead leaves or pine needles stay wet longer, too.

   Dinosaur

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4. 
   Jeff_Clarke | May 02, 2008 04:56am | #4

   Use fire retardant treated cedar tapersplits - the fire retardant chemicals impart a certain amount of rot resistance too.

   Jeff

   
   

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   Edited 5/1/2008 10:17 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke