Why Installing a Cedar Roof is your Best Choice

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Dana

In today’s roofing market, there are a world of choices as far as the type of materials you can use for your roof, including metal and tile. As popular as these options are, wood roofing materials still rank as the number one choice.

Cedar Roof

Wood roofs seem to have a mystical yet comforting characteristic about them. They remind you of one of those warm homes where the floors, stairs and walls are all made of wood, with a nice cozy fire burning in the fireplace and the wonderful aroma of dinner cooking.

It is easy to see why wood roofs are attractive to so many homeowners. Not only is a wood roof appealing to the eye, but wood tends to be a very strong material, lasting for many years so long as it is protected from moisture. Wood roofs are also a good insulator, so you can rest assured that you will remain warmer during the winter months if you have a wood roof on your home.

The most popular type of wood used for roofing is cedar. Cedar trees are typically found in the Pacific Northwest and can grow as tall as 60 meters. Cedar bark is quite thick, with broad tree branches. Cedar tends to grow quite well in damp places and it is famous for its bark’s scent.

There are many reasons why using cedar as your roofing material is a good idea. First, because cedar is somewhat porous, it can absorb moisture. This wood also acts as a sound barrier because it absorbs noise. The scent of cedar tends to repel insects, most famously moths, from the roof, which has the effect of increasing the lifespan of your roof. Of course, you cannot really avoid damage when natural disasters strike, as pretty much every roof is vulnerable to such things as tornadoes and earthquakes.

If you keep your cedar roof well maintained, it can easily have a life of at least 25 years. Therefore, maintaining your cedar roof will decrease your need for roof repairs, and thus, your repair costs.

Some of the required maintenance required will depend on your particular environment. You should treat your cedar roofs with fungicides one year after its initial installation if you reside in an area that is relatively humid. The fungicide treatment will help keep mildew and fungus from growing on the wood. It is also a good idea to have a fire-retardant substance applied to your cedar wood roof, especially if you live in high fire zones.

It is quite an undertaking to install a wood roof. Therefore, if you intend to perform the installation yourself, it is vital that you consult with a roofing professional before embarking on this endeavor. A licensed roofer will be able to assist you in the materials you will need, the tools required for the job, the best way to install the roof, as well as how to best maintain your roof to ensure that your cedar roof enjoys a nice, long life.