It’s Time to Replace Your Wood Shake Roof
Getting a new roof might seem like a big deal, especially if you’re worried about maintaining your home’s aesthetic with your existing roof. This is especially true for homes with traditional wood shake roofs.
With an increasing frequency of strong weather events like wind storms and wildfires, homeowner’s insurance companies may choose not to insure a new wood shake roof in Colorado. The good news is that there are some great alternatives to wood shake shingles that are durable, fire resistant, and similar in appearance to traditional wood shake roofs.
How to Tell if You Need to Replace Your Wood Shake Roof
You’ll know when you need to replace your traditional wood shake roof when you notice any of the following signs:
- Cracks or splits in the shakes
- Warping
- Missing wood shake shingles
- Water leaks/damage (look at your walls and ceilings inside your house)
You may not think you need an entire wood shake roof replacement, and that may be true. The best way to know is to have an inspection performed. At J&K Roofing, we can assist you with a roofing repair on your wood shake roof, and we’ll work with you to make a plan for a total roof replacement with a wood shake alternative..
Alternatives to Wood Shake Shingles
There’s a growing number of alternative products to choose from that have a similar aesthetic to wood shake. A few that we recommend are:
- CeDUR Roofing Shakes— made of a synthetic composite material that is lightweight, durable, and fire resistant.
- DECRA Shake— stone-coated steel shingles that are designed to mimic traditional materials. They are very durable and will last a long time.
- DaVinci Shake — made of a composite material that is durable, fire-resistant, and beautiful.
No matter what product you choose, wood shake alternatives are a good fit for any home in Colorado for their range of benefits.
Advantages of Wood Shake Roof Alternatives
Appearance: Synthetic and stone coated steel roofing materials come in all sorts of textures and colors that mimic real wood. You shouldn’t have any problem finding a material that fits the design of your home.
Durability: Installed properly, wood shake alternatives like CeDUR should last anywhere from 30 to 50 years.
Fire resistant: Wood shake alternatives have a Class A fire resistance rating, making them one of the best options available.
Ease of installation: Wood shake shingle alternatives are lightweight and come in a variety of sizes, making them easy to handle and install.
Cost: Wood shake roof replacement isn’t as expensive as you might expect!
Are Wood Shake Roofs Insurable in Colorado?
Because wooden shake roofs have been around for a long period of time in our area, you might be surprised to find out that there are many laws around these roofs. As you might expect, wooden roofs aren’t fire-resistant. Some areas have made it more difficult to install, replace or repair wood shake roofs, as our hot and dry weather combined with high winds are perfect conditions for wildfires.
Because wood shake is considered a fire hazard in Colorado, some insurance companies will increase the price of your property insurance or not cover your roof at all. Check with your homeowner’s insurance on any issues with coverage.
Get in Touch
For your Colorado wood shake roof replacement project, trust an experienced, local roofing contractor. Our team at J&K Roofing is familiar with the climate in Colorado, and we have the experience needed to get your job done the right way the first time.
We’re certified in all materials we work with, including wood shake alternatives, and we’re ready to talk with you about your roofing needs. Give us a call at 303-425-7531.