A wood shake or shingle roof represents your home exteriors greatest investment. Before you replace your present roof, take the time to understand why the replacement is necessary. By examining the different sections of your existing roof two weathering factors always come to the forefront.

1. UV damage: The southern sections of your wood roof that receive direct sunlight for the longest duration accelerate in weathering three times greater then northern sections of roof unless unusual moss “build up” is involved. Sun damage includes cupping, curling cracking, checking and loss of girth of the wood exposure on both shakes and shingles.

2. Moisture damage: Normal precipitation is not causing the decay of wood shakes and shingles. The natural oils found in cedar are incredibly resilient to decay. Cedar shakes and shingles only rot when there is a sufficient “build up” of moss or vegetation on the roof that harbors the moisture and does not allow the shakes or shingles to thoroughly dry. The first sign of rot on a shake or shingle can usually be found at the butt end of the wood.

Homes that are set in wooded environments have a greater chance of “moss build up” on the northern sections of roof. In some instances a deadly combination of both sunlight and moss on a section of roof can quickly deteriorate both shakes and shingles. Homes located in an environment receiving more sunlight have less problems of decay to the wood exposure because the climate is not suitable for moss and vegetation growth.

CCA Wood Offers No Protection Against Sunlight- A note from the owner

Pressure treated shakes and shingles (commonly referred to as CCA wood) is still an option in many parts of the country including the North East. Although pressure treated shakes and shingles have added protection against decay, the treatment fails to offer any protection against the wood roofs #1 enemy, sunlight. After all it is the sunlight that is responsible for the cupping, curling, cracking, checking and loss of girth of the wood exposure and the aesthetic appeal of the roof as it ages. Pressure treated shakes and shingles are not new to the industry and have been largely ineffective in adding any extra life to wood roofs. Preserving your wood roof with a topical treatment is the only way to protect the wood from both moisture and sunlight. However many builders, suppliers and roofing contractors continue to promote pressure treated wood to the consumer as the answer for added longevity and protection. It is not. The wood roofing industry as a whole is failing to deal with this important issue and wood roofs continue to be installed and replaced at an alarming rate. Think about it. The only beneficiary of today’s lack of reliable information and education is the cedar “corporation” itself. Fortunately there are now more companies throughout the United States offering preservation which is helping to change the future of this industry.

If you look closely this wood, to the left of the step flashing in the shadow, has been naturally protected and is safe from any weathering.	The cupping and curling wood that appears in this southern section of roof is a direct result of sunlight.	Substantial growth of moss harbors moisture, leaving the wood little chance to dry, sustaining a climate conducive to wood rot and decay.