Asphalt shingles that look like cedar shakes can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional cedar shakes, but there are also other alternatives to discover. Let’s take a look at asphalt shingles and compare them to natural cedar shake and a synthetic alternative.
What Are Asphalt Shingles?
When you think of standard shingles, asphalt shingles probably come to mind first. After all, they’re used in the majority of home roofing projects and have numerous benefits. They’re lightweight and relatively inexpensive. They are easy to install and repair, and while hiring a roofing professional is typically a good idea, asphalt shingles can be replaced by a knowledgeable do-it-yourselfer.
Constructed on a fiberglass mat that is coated with an asphalt-based filler material, the asphalt shingles are then covered with special rock that has been crushed to a certain size and then coated with a ceramic material. This gives asphalt shingles their signature color and creates a weather-resistant surface. To complete the manufacturing process, the shingles are covered in a layer of sand and then everything is embedded together. Finally, the shingles are cut to size.
Asphalt shingles are available in a range of styles and colors that can range from greens and blues, to pinks and reds to black and grays. As far as styles, there are three main styles of asphalt shingles:
3-Tab - These shingles are aptly named as they consist of one strip cut into three tabs. These shingles are affordable and have a lifespan of up to 20 years, but while they protect the roof, they are far from the most aesthetically pleasing style of shingle.
Dimensional - Layered to create a dynamic, dimensional look, these shingles are sometimes referred to as architectural or laminate shingles and create a look that is similar to the look achieved with cedar shake shingles. Because of their layers, they weigh more and are more expensive than 3-tab shingles.
Luxury - Luxury asphalt shingles weigh more than 3-tab or dimensional shingles and come with an additional cost, but they create a more aesthetically pleasing look. Asphalt shingles that look like cedar shakes can be used to create a beautiful classic roof.
Regardless of the style, asphalt shingles that look like cedar shake shingles leave something to be desired.
Cedar Shake Shingles
Natural cedar shake shingles are individually cut from logs and shaped into square or rectangular tiles. Their rough-hewn look and rustic beauty complements a variety of home aesthetics from standard vinyl siding to old stone or brick.
Cedar shakes can last up to 30 years if they’re maintained property. Cedar is naturally pest and insect resistant and has nearly twice the insulating value as asphalt. However, they are more expensive and prone to moisture damage.
One drawback for the home handyman is that, unlike asphalt shingles, cedar shakes are difficult to install and are substantially more expensive. Another concern with natural cedar shake shingles is the lack of fire resistance which can increase insurance costs.
Brava Synthetic Cedar Shake Shingles: All Of The Beauty, None Of The Concerns
Asphalt shingles are easy to work with, relatively simple to repair, inexpensive, and last up to 20 years, however, they have their own drawbacks. Since they are used on the majority of roofs, they have a standard look that does nothing to set a home apart from others in the neighborhood, and they are likely to become brittle after years of standing up to the elements.
Natural cedar shake shingles are incredibly beautiful and unique as well as long lasting. Unfortunately, their expense and the level of maintenance required is just more to add to an already long to-do list.
The alternative, synthetic cedar shakes, is a tremendous option. Brava Cedar Shake Roofing captures one of the most appealing things about a cedar shake roof — each one is unique. To achieve this quality, our molds are cast from hand-split Western Red Cedar shakes, so each one has an authentic look and feel without repetitive patterns.
Made from recycled materials, our cedar shakes are highly compressed, resulting in the strongest shake available that is also highly weather resistant and won’t absorb water or grow mold, mildew, or algae.
We offer a core collection of nine colors that are inspired by Mother Nature. We use natural minerals to create our distinctive colors. Our tiles are colored throughout and are engineered with the most advanced UV stabilizing elements to ensure you’ll never have to worry about the color fading over time.
Contact the experts at Brava today to achieve a cedar shake roof with none of the downsides of natural cedar.
