I have just researched the series of “Mastering Roof Inspections: Wood Shakes and Shingles”. Researching this I come to the conclusion that shakes or shingles have different live spans in different climates. In very dry climates certain species of wood will last better than others. In our area its super dry but that does not guarantee longevity of the roofing because of the wet/dry differentials in the wood causing excessive splitting or cupping. Have there been studies performed in different climates to determine which species of wood is best for different climates? Love some feedback!
Written Assignment:
This is a cedar shingle roof covering material. I helped install the shingles on both lower roof sections. The highest section is relatively new in this image (less than 2 years old). The lower left section was installed in ~1990. It was ~20 years old in this picture. The lower right section was installed in ~2000. Climate is southern ME. Harsh winters, typical wet east coast conditions, and only ~10 miles from the coast (as the crow flies). Hot dipped galvanized fasteners were used except for the upper rows that interface the headwall and couldn’t be hidden (here SS fasteners were used). Sheathing is plywood and underlayment is 30 lb paper (per manufacture at the time). Eaves, valleys, and roof intersections have self adhering ice/water shield under paper. It is easy to see how much less exposure the vertical (wall) shingles get compared to the roof and how much longer they last on siding then on the roof. In a hundred years, one might have to do the roof 4 or 5 times to the wall 1 or 2 times. No roof leaks since the house was built as far as I know. It has the rustic look but considering the installation labor, maintenance, and durability I would go with metal, tile, or Photovoltaic shingles today. No picture because I kept getting the “security token” error message when uploading.
Research Assignment: Master Roof Inspection Wood Shakes & Shingles
The most common wood covering material is made from western red cedar which has excellent natural rot and pest resistance properties. Shingles and shakes may be rated for up to 245/173 mph winds, are impact resistance to class 3 and 4, and can be purchased to class B fire rating (proper installation can raise that to class A). They can be preservative treated. Shakes are heavier and thicker than shingles. Shakes are split, shingles’s are sawn–usually. Different grain exposures make for dramatically different durability and exposure resistance due to the part of the tree/log that the material is cut from and the concentration of natural oils. Edgegrain is the most durable, just as it is with other items (e.g. cutting boards). It is rustic, aesthetically pleasing, installation intensive, expensive, not for every environ, and becoming more rare due to limited resources and competing options.
Inspected a wood shingle roof the other day. It had an interlayment which made it a defective installation. Sawn shingles must not have this so they are capable of drying. Since shakes are hand split the surface on the back is grooved which allows dirt and water to enter. Interlayment is allowed for shakes in order to stop this infiltration, but must be set back at least 2 exposure lengths. This also provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance, since the interlayment should be covered by the overlapping shingle.
Read an interesting article on wood shakes and shingles. There are 3 types of shingles- edgegrain, flatgrain, and slashgrain. Edegrain is the most resistant to damage and deterioration over time because it has more heartwood since these grains are more tightly packed than the other two. Grades of shingles and shakes are premium, #1, and #2. Premium has 100% edgegrain, and #1 has up to 20% flatgrain mixed in. Preservatives such as CCA can be added to help the shake/shingle to resist decay in humid climates. Shakes/shingles are also fire retardant rated, either Class A, B, or C.
When inspecting a wood shingle roof I noted some conditions. A large portion of the roof was covered with moss which suggests a lot of moisture was on the roof surface. The gutters were full of debris which can lead to inadequate drainage. With the moss on the roof structure moisture can be trapped on the roof and increase the rate of wood decay. There was a tree that overhung the roof. Trees that overhang wood shingle roofs should be trimmed back as to prevent leaves from collecting on the roof surface.
Attached is a photo of a roof being readied for roof replacement. Part of the process requires double battens.
Use of WeatherLock G on the eves and valleys and Feltex on the field of the roof can be seen as well
The home is awaiting an inspection from the local jurisdiction because it was above 7200 Feet of Elevation.
The original roof was cedar shingles. Due to very high wind damage, the owner is replacing the roof with a stone coated metal roofing.
Attached is an image from the Graphics Library. The image shows the use of double battens as well as felt interlayment. My previous post shows that the battens are 1x3’s and 2x2’s attached on the top.
I haven’t done a shake roof for a bit ,sorry for the image
good course
Starting the course
Here is the underside of a correct underlayment spacing on a newer house with a split shake roof I inspected about a year and a half ago. I had installed cedar shingles or shakes a few times during my several years as a contractor which helps me to see and appreciate a job well done.
I read the Mastering the roof inspection, Accessing the Roof, parts one and two. I have used many means to get a better look at roofs over the last few years. I try not to walk much on shingles that are too cold even if clear, or walk gently. I stay in a valley if possible to get on anything above an 8 on 12, just to get a better look a the roof covering or look out a window when possible and walking is prohibitive. I seldom walk on a wood roof for fear of damage to the shingles but rather set a ladder at as many spots as possible and take pics from all angles. I also use a good set of 50 power Navy binoculars WW11 era. I take good pictures lined up with one lens.
I read about the remote camera on the a pole in Part 2. My latest trick is a high end drone. I get amazingly clear and up-close pics from any angle I need and can look directly down a chimney 4 stories up (or more). I have ski slopes near me and they sure like to build houses tall into the side of a steep hill with a tall chimney. The drone is great. I also used it to get clear pictures of a slate roof on a 3 1/2 story steep slate tile roof on a historical home, plus closeups of the old brick chimneys.
PS. The drone is also a good way to get above the ground to find septic drainfield lines and any other areas where the ground has been disturbed.
Most take final exam to finish and get graded for this course in order to move forward with the final exam and so forth when I am finished it will be great to know that I have completed this program
sssssssssssssssmmmmmmmmmmddddddddddmmmtttttttt it is great to have this type of online training and the clear understand of each courses. It has been very rewarding for me and my carrie with inspecting buildings and homes. The clear training on each video, great
The suction line and evaporator coil of the air conditioner was iced over. This can be caused by low refrigerant, clogged evaporator coil, or filter restricting air flow. Until this is repaired the air conditioner is not functioning and air flow will be restricted. Therefore, the house may not get to the temperature set on the thermostat.
This wood roof was moss covered, which didn’t allow the roof to dry out. Consequently the roof had wood decay and needed to be be repaired. This proves that the roof needs to be maintained so that wood decay does not shorten the life span of the roof.
The following is a picture of a wooden shingle roof with excessive moss buildup. This is due to heavy moisture accumulation on the roof. This leads to further deterioration of the roof and makes the roof unstable for walking when inspecting.
Edge grain, flat grain and and slash grain shingles have different life expectancies and susceptibility to splitting. Edge grain shingles are cut more perpendicular against the grain which causes more tight grains to be visible on the shingle. This makes them the best of the 3. Flat grain are cut almost parallel to the grains which causes heartwood to be visible and less grain while slash grain are cut at an angle.
Essay on wood roof styles. This is a wood roof from northern Slovakia I took on a vacation this spring. There were many styles of wood roofs in the countryside and this is an example of v-notched boards with horizontal overlap. I would guess the water resistance comes from swelling of the v-notches when the wood is wet.
