Architectural Shingles

When we used to read fairy stories during our childhood, we would imagine a little house in a dense forest with wooden roofing shingles. Those of us who grew up in Europe may have even seen such houses in a Bavarian or Swiss rustic village. The wooden roofing tiles on these houses give them a historic, heartwarming look that we normally associate with open fires and white plaster walls. But such roofs are not only a thing of the past, of Europe, or the countryside. It is easy enough to find wooden roofing shingles anywhere, and clearly the best type of them are cedar shingles.

There are various types of wooden shingles, made from redwood and pine, but cedar shingles are highly recommended and are among the most popular. There are two types of cedar shingles – red and white. Red cedar shingles are generally more durable than white cedar shingles. However, the problem with the red shingles is that over time they weather to an unpleasant black color, making the house underneath look dingy and depressing. White cedar shingles, on the other hand, may not last as long, but when they weather, they turn a more natural silver color. This has always left consumers with the dilemma of whether to opt for longevity but with dingy-looking shingles, or shingles that look more natural but need replacing more quickly.

Today’s technology makes this choice less difficult as it becomes possible to enjoy the best of both worlds. Red cedar shingles, which are dipped in creosote, are more up-market than white cedar. However, these days it is possible to buy red cedar shingles treated with bleaching oil, which protects against the elements and has a better look than creosote. The main advantage of red cedar shingles that have been treated in this manner is that when they fade, they turn silvery white instead of dingy black. In this way, you receive the longevity of red cedar, with the more natural look when weathering of the white. To preserve their effect, they should be recoated with bleaching oil every four to seven years.

Cedar shingles are fairly easy to replace. In fact, if you buy a home with cedar shingles on the roof, make sure to ask the seller if any spare shingles come with it. If there are none to hand, you will need to buy some new replacement wooden shingles. The only problem is that the new shingles may not match the old ones. The best way to deal with this problem is to paint the new ones with an easily made solution of water and baking soda. After leaving them in the sun for several hours, this will “age” them to match the old ones. Once you have done that, you can install them on your roof with a few simple repair tools.

Cedar shingles are clearly a great investment to add to the character of your home. They will give an air of elegance and rusticity that does not need to be confined to Hansel and Gretel.