GSM Industrial logo

Cedar Shake Roofs are Not Only Unique, They Last

Cedar is a terrific roof alternative if you’re hoping to maintain the historical integrity of your building and give it the gift of longevity. Or, if you’re looking to add character, rely on all that cedar shake roofs have to offer.

GSM Roofing will work with you to choose the cedar shake shingles that are right for your building and your expectations.

When it Comes to Cedar Roofs, Experience Matters

The knowledgeable craftspeople at GSM Roofing have years of experience installing cedar shakes and shingles on traditional lathe and over plywood with a cedar breather. We understand the intricacies that come with this unique roofing material—and what can happen if you disregard the importance of those intricacies.

Join us to learn more about cedar shake roofs, their advantages and disadvantages, and how a new cedar roof can make your commercial building stand out from the rest.

Commercial Cedar Roofing

The Advantages of Cedar Roofs

In any conversation about cedar wood roofs, the first thing to come up is the beauty of this roofing material. A statement as simple as “cedar makes the most beautiful roof” is rarely countered with an argument. Its color gradients, organic texture, shadows, and light make it incomparable in beauty and sophistication.

But cedar’s benefits don’t stop with its aesthetic appeal. Cedar shakes and shingles provide natural insulating power—as much as double that of asphalt shingles. That equates to significant energy savings, and you know what that means: money savings!

Contrary to popular belief, cedar shake roofs are also remarkably resistant to wind and weather. They will endure downpours, long soaking rains, snow, hail, and high winds with outstanding resilience. And if roof repairs are needed, they can be done any time of year because a cedar roof’s construction does not depend upon sealants.

This last advantage is a big one. You can expect cedar roofs to last for up to 50 years when installed properly in conjunction with the correct metal flashings, valleys, and ridge caps. Even in the harshest Canadian environments, building owners have known this roof type to hold firm for up to 30 years.

So if you’re looking for an attractive roofing option that can save you money, presents very little need for repairs, and will last for half a century, choose cedar for your commercial building.

The Potential Drawbacks of Cedar Roofs

Every type of specialty roofing has its disadvantages, and cedar is no different. First, it can be more expensive than other types of commercial roofing. That’s simply because it’s a high-end roofing option with a longer lifespan than other materials. A cedar roof is an investment in your structure.

And that life expectancy of up to 50 years? It happens when a cedar roof is in an ideal environment and maintained correctly—and this roofing system requires more maintenance than typical roofing materials.

You must regularly remove debris and leaves from the roof to reduce the chances of moss, mold, and mildew growth. Replace cracked, worn, or molded shakes promptly to preserve the integrity of the entire roof. We often recommend that trees be kept trimmed back from the roof to decrease the amount of problematic debris.

But don’t let the need for maintenance deter you from the cedar roof of your dreams. Our preventive maintenance program will keep that roof in great shape—for the next 50 years.

Is a Cedar Shake Roof Right for Your Building?

You love the look of shake shingles. You want the longevity offered by cedar shake roofs. You plan to keep up with maintenance, and you can see the value in the additional upfront cost compared to its impressive lifespan.

Now let’s see if a cedar shake roof is right for your commercial building. Let the roofing experts at GSM Roofing look at your structure, assess its condition, and furnish a quote. And if a cedar roof isn’t quite right for you, we’ll be more than happy to talk about other options.

Regardless of the type of roof you’re thinking about, get in touch with us today. We have a vast array of commercial roofing options, and one of them will be perfect for your building.

default image

Team,

I just wanted to send a quick thank you to all of you for your help in getting together the final invoices for Reading and North Temple. You all are the best and it is always a pleasure working with you!

Have a great day,
Cindy

Cindy Yates June 28, 2022