Shingles & Shakes
Are you looking for high-quality roofing materials for your next project? If so, we’ve got exactly what you’re looking for.
Our cedar shingles and shakes are designed to be sturdy and long-lasting, upgrading the appearance and durability of any roof. Shingles provide a uniform look, with smooth, clean edges for a neat finish.
Their overlapping design creates a watertight surface, preventing leaks and damage to your home. For a more rustic appearance, our cedar shakes feature thicker and irregular designs, perfect for adding a rugged look to your home.
Shakes are typically installed with more overlap than shingles, enhancing the water resistance of your roof. These require more maintenance than shingles; however, they’re the perfect cost-effective solution for budget-friendly installations.
Once installed, shingles and shakes have a great lifespan, protecting your home from all types of weather for years to come.
Cedar shingles and shakes are renowned for their insulation qualities, dimensional stability and natural resistance to the elements. Cedar roof shingles contain a natural preservative making them uncommonly durable in their natural state.
For quality assurance, always specify Certigrade Western Red Cedar Shingles.
The term Blue Label is actually a registered trademark of the Cedar Shake Shingle Bureau association which has over 250 member companies.
Highly durable, attractive natural appearance, outstanding insulation properties and easy installation, Certigrade Western Red Cedar wood shingles and Yellow Cedar shingles offer an appealing alternative to traditional roof tiles.
Cedar shingles are the only renewable roofing resource with a 50+ year life expectancy and R-Value insulation four times that of cement fibre.
Cedar shingles, shakes, and hip & ridge roof tiles have been used for hundreds of years and have proven their durability in all kinds of climates. They can be used to create a traditional or modern look, and their rich, warm colour and texture blend beautifully in any natural environment. The natural effects of ageing and weathering give an attractive silvery grey colour in time.
Tile production, which is virtually pollution-free, is a secondary operation utilising waste residuals from British Columbia's main logging and sawmilling industry, providing a truly sustainable and environmentally friendly product
NOTE: Be aware that just because a supplier puts a label in a blue colour on its bundles does not mean that it's on grade or third-party inspected. Certigrade Western Red Cedar Shingles are inspected by legitimate, third party agencies, accredited by the Cedar Shake Shingle Bureau.
Shingles & Shakes FAQs
The primary difference between shingles and shakes lies in their manufacturing process.
Shingles are sawn on both sides to create a smooth, sleek appearance, perfect for applications which require a neat look. Shingles also tend to have a consistent thickness, resulting in a uniform appearance.
In contrast, shakes are typically hand-split by a mallet or froe from a log to create a rough, jagged appearance. For this reason, shakes are more suitable for rustic roofs. Shakes are thicker than shingles, providing better weather resistance, while shingles are thinner and laid with tighter overlaps.
When properly installed and maintained, shingles and shakes can last for decades!
However, the lifespan depends on the materials they’re made from, roof pitch, weather conditions, and the quality of installation. Here’s a general guideline to get you started:
- Western Red Cedar: 25–40 years
- Eastern White Cedar (less common in the UK): 40–50 years
- British or European Oak: 50–80 years
- Larch (British or Siberian): 30–50 years
You’ll need to make sure there is good airflow beneath the shingles and shakes, and have a professional install them for a better chance of living up to their lifespan. A steeper roof (ideally 22.5° or more) is also recommended for better water runoff.
Yes! Both shingles and shakes can be used for roofing and vertical cladding.
Many homeowners use them for residential roofs, gazebo roofs, and various garden projects due to their versatility and ease of use.
Since they’re a lightweight material and naturally resistant to harsh weather (especially cedar and oak), they make a great choice for a permanent upgrade.
When using shingles or shakes for cladding, make sure to overlap them less than you would for roofing. You’ll also need to use stainless steel or silicon bronze nails to prevent staining.
Yes, when installing roofing, a vapour-permeable membrane is always necessary to achieve a long-lasting, effective roof.
Underlay helps prevent moisture buildup while allowing for efficient ventilation, thereby protecting your shakes and shingles from degradation over time. Therefore, it will protect your roof from rot, mildew, rust, and poor insulation.
Here are the best types of underlay for your shingle or shake roof:
- Synthetic underlay
- Vapour-permeable underlay
- Felt underlay
- Open batten system
Timber grading tells us everything we need to know about the performance, quality, and orientation of wooden shingles and shakes.
There are two main grain types: edge grain (vertical grain) and flat grain (slash grain). The grading system is as follows:
- Grade 1 (Edge Grain Heartwood): considered the highest quality grain, the wood is cut perpendicular to the tree's growth rings, resulting in a defect-free and knot-free product. It’s less likely to split over time, which is why it’s used for roofs.
- Grade 2 (Flat Grain): Cut parallel to the tree's growth rings, this contains some sapwood, knots, and defects. However, these aren’t visible once the shingles are installed. This is used more for garden structures.
- Grade 3 (Flat Grain with Sapwood and Knots): a more budget-friendly option, uses flat grain and sapwood and has some knots and defects. For this reason, it’s used more for shed walls or two-course walls.
Edge grain is less prone to cupping and warping than flat grain, and it retains its smooth appearance even in harsh weather conditions.
With the UK’s mix of wind, rain, and sun, your roof must be made from materials that are designed to combat anything the weather throws at it.
So, with this in mind, here is a list of some of the best timber species for UK homes and buildings:
- Western Red Cedar: With a lifespan of 25-40 years, this is the best option for homes, as it’s resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. It’s also lightweight, easy to install, and has a beautiful red finish!
- British or European Oak: Designed to last 50-80 years, this is a highly strong and durable wood, with a pale, golden-brown colour. Its appearance makes it ideal for a traditional look.
- Larch (British or Siberian): Lasting anywhere between 30 and 50 years, this species has a warm, reddish-brown tone and performs well when allowed to weather naturally. However, it’s better suited to smaller roofs or used as cladding.
Yes! Due to their low thermal conductivity, timber shingles and shakes slow the transfer of heat inside and outside a building, helping to keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer.
When installed with proper ventilation and breathable membranes, timber shakes and shingles provide excellent resistance to moisture.
The actual thermal performance depends on the timber thickness and the design of the full roofing or cladding system; the thicker the shingle or shake, the better the insulation.
