Thinking About Wood Shingle Roofing Installation for a house near Murrysville Pennsylvania?
The team at The Roofing Company can show how a wood roof breathes and sheds water
Phone 412-858-8858 and we will go over the details
What a Wood Shingle Roof Is, Piece by Piece
Wood roofing is built from thin, tapered pieces of rot-resistant wood that overlap in rows, so rain passes from each piece to the one below it, down to the eaves; wood suits some house styles better than any other covering.
Cedar is the wood most often used on roofs in this part of the country, because it resists rot and splitting better than most species; a wood roof may be chosen to match an original look.
A plan for Wood Shingle Roofing Installation starts with the slope of the roof, the shape of the eaves and the look the owner wants; mention the style of the house when you call.
Smooth or Rugged: How They Differ
A sawn shingle has two smooth faces and a taper, so it lays flat and gives the roof a crisp, uniform pattern; thicker pieces are heavier and cost more effort to handle.
Within each type of wood piece, the grade, the grain direction and the length make a large difference, and straight edge grain is the sign of a strong piece; a crew should be able to say what grade it uses.
Fire resistance depends on the product and the way it is installed, and it is worth asking what a given roof offers; ask for the treatment details in writing.
A plan for Wood Shingle Roofing Installation should explain why one kind of wood piece suits your house better than another; samples are easy to request.
Wood Needs Air Under It, From the Deck Up
Wood shingles have to dry on both sides after rain, so they are usually laid over open boards or battens that leave a gap of air beneath them; attic ventilation affects the wood from underneath.
Snow and ice put the most stress on eaves and valleys, and these spots are given extra layers on a good roof; valleys are lined with metal and not just shingles.
A proposal for Wood Shingle Roofing Installation ought to say whether the roof will be open-sheathed, battened or solid and why; bring up any past leaks that you know about.
Snow, Ice and Dampness on Wood: Weight, Ice and Moisture
Shaded slopes under big trees stay wet for longer, and moss and algae grow where the wood does not dry; sunny slopes dry quickly and age differently from shaded ones.
Wood roofs show their age in the grain, with some curling and gray weathering expected, while cracks and gaps are the signs that matter; a crew should explain which signs are cosmetic and which are serious.
Questions about Wood Shingle Roofing Installation should include what the crew does to keep the roof dry through the wet months; ask how the eaves are protected from backed-up water.
Every Edge and Valley Matters, One Detail at a Time
Fasteners of stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized steel resist the corrosion that cedar encourages, since the natural acids in the wood eat ordinary nails; each piece is set with a small gap on both sides so it can expand.
Wherever a wood roof meets a chimney, a wall or another roof, flashing must be shaped and layered to shed water over the wood; chimneys and walls call for stepped flashing.
Anyone comparing proposals for Wood Shingle Roofing Installation should look for the details of the work, not just the wood; ask for a sketch of one valley detail.
When a Wood Roof Can Be Saved: Weighing the Options
Replacing a piece means lifting the ones above and pulling the old nails, and a careful crew does it without cracking the neighbors; matching the color is easier on an older roof once the new wood has weathered.
Tearing off a wood roof lets the crew inspect the deck, repair it and add a proper underlayment before new wood is laid; some owners switch materials once the old roof is off.
A plan for Wood Shingle Roofing Installation should state clearly whether it is a repair, an overlay or a full tear-off; a crew that offers only one answer may not have looked closely.
How a Wood Roof Is Laid, Piece by Piece
Preparation includes setting up safe access, laying out the courses and marking the lines for the first rows; weather decides when each step can happen.
Each course is checked for straightness as the roof rises, and the gaps between pieces are kept to the right width; ask what you will be shown at the end.
- Will the old roof be removed or covered, and what do you recommend?
- What kind of nails will you use, and why that way?
Small Habits That Extend a Wood Roof, Without Climbing Up
Keep the roof free of leaves, needles and branches, since debris holds water against the wood and encourages moss; a soft brush and a gentle cleaner suit wood better.
A wood roof that is inspected twice a year and kept clean can last much longer than one that is ignored; a quick patch is easier before water gets into the deck.
Upkeep is part of any plan for Wood Shingle Roofing Installation, since a well-laid wood roof still needs clear surfaces and an owner who looks now and then; ask which signs deserve a call.
What Lies Under the Wood: What to Check
Rafters, decking and the supports underneath carry the weight of the roof plus snow, and older timbers deserve a careful look; sagging ridgelines and bowed rafters are worth showing to a crew.
Your questions on Wood Shingle Roofing Installation should include the age of the framing, the pitch and any sags that show from the street; ask what changes the plan once the old deck is exposed.
Next Steps for Your Roof, Whenever You Are Ready
Every house with a wood roof depends on careful installation and on an owner who understands how the material ages; a short conversation will show where to begin.
Call 412-858-8858 to talk about Wood Shingle Roofing Installation in Murrysville Pennsylvania; we can begin with a look at the roof as it stands.
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