Cedar has been used in construction for thousands of years and in ancient times was used to build temples, ships, and homes. However, it’s popularity as a roofing material started in the late 1800s. Since that time, cedar shake has been used for roofs and siding and continues to grow in popularity. Crafted from either red or white cedar and hand split (or machine split to attain the same look), cedar shakes continue to maintain their rustic natural appeal due the slight variations in color, size, and thickness of each shake. Did you know that cedar shake isn’t just for the roof? Cedar shake provides a charming alternative for siding, whether you want to accent one area or install siding around the whole house. The main problem with wood shake siding is that it is not quite as sturdy and long-lasting as some other options. It requires regular maintenance, painting, staining, and sealing every few years to keep looking its best. You love the cedar shake siding look, but who has the time or money for all that upkeep? We have good news! Brava Shake roofing gives you the authentic appearance of cedar shake without the high maintenance and short life span. The best cedar shake siding isn’t made of wood!
Wood Shake Siding
Problems with Wood Shake Siding
- Quality of the Shake - The best natural cedar shakes are produced from old growth timber. Since the late 1900s, old growth is much more difficult to obtain, so most of today’s cedar shakes are produced from new growth timber which is not as dense or stable.
- Water Damage/Aging - Depending on the type of wood siding shingles or panels installed, water damage can become a serious problem. If your shake shingles or siding panels have rot, cracks, or holes from animals, it will begin to deteriorate and mold will start to grow inside your walls. In addition, as the wood shingles age they can split, become dislodged and fall off the home. This can become a difficult problem to repair if the loose shingles fall from the second story.
- Harvesting - For years, environmentalists have been working hard to preserve trees and our forests. Since 1986, the use of wood siding as an exterior surface has been decreasing dramatically. It's estimated that less than 5% of homes use wood siding. Artificial cedar shake siding options are better for our homes and our environment.
Synthetic Shake Siding is the Solution
Brava Faux Cedar Shake Sidings are Beautiful and Durable
Brava Roof Tile produces faux cedar shake siding that rivals the natural product for beauty and authenticity—but far surpasses it in durability. Our composite shake shingles are made of compressed post-industrial recycled plastics and other sustainable materials that are built to last a lifetime. Brava shake shingles won't crack, rot, fade, grow mold or algae, attract pests or animals... the list goes on.
Our shakes are manufactured from synthetic materials formulated to stand up to extreme freeze/thaw cycles and can be installed in the cold -faux cedar shake siding. Some wood products will crack or split when installed in freezing temperatures.
Our synthetic cedar shake comes in a stunning variety of colors—including Aspen, Charcoal, Natural, and Weathered, just to name a few. To simulate the appearance of natural wood shake siding, our patented coloring process provides variegation throughout the product. When compared to a natural wood shingle, you’ll face a challenge trying to determine which shingle is natural and which is synthetic. Faux cedar shake siding is the future!
To further imitate the natural appearance of cedar shake, our synthetic siding shingles come in three different widths —5”, 7”, and 12”. The thickness of our shingles varies. They feature the split texture typical of natural cedar.
If you’re feeling really creative and want to give your house a truly unique look, we offer custom coloring at Brava. The colors you can create are limited only by your imagination.
Brava Synthetic Cedar Shakes Save Money Over The Life of The Siding
The average cost to install faux cedar shake siding ranges from $8.50 to $14.50 per square foot, depending on job complexity and location. You can expect to pay between $17,000 and $29,000 for a contractor to install new cedar shake siding on a typical house with 2,000 square feet of siding. Add an extra $1,000 to $3,000 if you need your old siding removed and disposed of.
Add the cost of re-staining the wood cedar shake every 5-7 years and you’ve increased the cost of natural cedar siding by another $1.69 to $4.02 per square foot, depending on your location and local labor.
Back to the calculator one more time. Now add the cost of installation again, because natural cedar shakes only have an average useful life of 25-30 years.
Brava Synthetic Cedar Shake siding can save up to 50% over the lifetime of the product. Our composite shakes have a 50-year limited warranty and never require staining. Brava cedar shakes will last up to twice as long as conventional cedar shakes.
Maintenance
Our synthetic cedar shakes are maintenance-free! Compare that to natural shakes.
Installing Brava Cedar Shakes
One of the advantages of using Bava shakes is that the installation is simple and fast. Our products are installed using standard industry practices. We manufacture them in varying widths and as you install them, you can mix the widths to give the most natural look. Since the shakes are manufactured with natural color variations, the installer will want to ensure that a cohesive blend is achieved. This can be accomplished as the shingles are being taken off the pallet by separating them into groups that the contractor can choose from as the work progresses. Brava shakes can be hand nailed or gun nailed. There should be a minimum space between each shake of ⅜” to allow for expansion and to create the look of natural cedar shakes. They should be installed with 2 corrosion-resistant fasteners per shake. To prevent leaks, ensure that the joints in each course are no less than 1 ½” apart from each other. In addition, our synthetic shakes won’t break like regular cedar siding, reducing waste and making installation much faster - all of which will save you money.
Additional Brava Shake Siding Advantages
We’re thrilled (and hope you will be too) with the authentic look and feel of our synthetic shake siding shingles, we’re really proud of their performance. Brava shake shingles received the top certification for hail performance in the industry, known as a Class 4 impact rating, which includes a wind rating of up to 188MPH with ring shank nails and up to 211MPH with high wind screw installation. To receive a Class 4 rating, a shingle must withstand having a 2-inch steel ball dropped on to it multiple times from a height of 20 feet. Class 4 is the highest rating for impact resistance, but there are lower ratings that a shingle can receive, such as Class 3 and Class 2. Our composite products are also strong enough to withstand breaking during shipping and installation. Our shake shingles are available with a Class A and Class C fire rating for added safety. Class A fire-rated shingles have a flame spread rating of between zero and 25. These materials are effective against severe fire exposure. Many of our competitors require expensive underlayment systems to obtain a Class A rating. Our shakes feature UV-protective formulation to prevent damage from the Sun’s strong rays. Brava is so convinced of the superior quality of our synthetic shingles that we stand by our product with a 50-year limited warranty. We can offer such a strong warranty because all of our products are tested by accredited labs instead of in-house testing. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction, so we test regularly with the aim to achieve it. We also have Miami-Dade county approval for our shakes. Most people are concerned with energy efficiency, and the color of the roofing and siding products on your home can increase or decrease your utility bills. Natural cedar is a light color, and Brava’s synthetic cedar shakes can be manufactured in brilliant white, making it an extremely reflective surface and significantly reducing the amount of radiant heat absorbed by the shake. Considering that your exterior walls usually constitute the largest exposed surface on your home, having the ability to install white siding can result in lower utility bills. Our synthetic shake shingles are environmentally friendly and manufactured in the U.S. They’re crafted from recycled materials and, if you decide to replace them, the shingles themselves are fully recyclable. These are not to be confused with the toxic cedar shake siding that Home Depot and other competitors sell! Instead of turning plastic into trash, Brava recycles and re-purposes it into beautiful, durable siding (and roofing) products that enhance your home’s curb appeal. They have the authentic look of natural wood, but perform even better than the real thing. If you’re committed to the unique look of shake siding but refuse to commit to the high-maintenance of natural cedar wood, keep in mind that the best shake siding isn’t made of wood—it’s Brava’s synthetic shake.
Request a Sample
today to learn more about our synthetic shake siding and additional product offerings. All of our composite products are made in the U.S. They’re available in unlimited colors with a lightweight, easy-to-install design that doesn’t call for special tools or structural modifications. To request a sample, receive more information, or find an experienced contractor in your area, please complete a sample request form or call us at (844) 290-4196.
