The short answer to whether or not you can paint cedar shakes is yes! However, the process of painting cedar shakes involves a lot of preparation and attention to detail in order to do the job right.
How To Paint Cedar Shakes
Work Quickly
Painting new cedar shakes will require less preparation than those that have been on the roof for any length of time. You will have to recondition the wood fibers to prepare them to accept and retain the paint. After natural weathering occurs, it may be difficult to get an even color when you paint the shakes and the paint will degrade faster. Working quickly after the shakes are installed will help achieve a smoother finish.
Prepare The Surface
To prepare cedar shingles prior to painting them, you’ll need to remove any mold, mildew, or stains with a cleaner or bleach mixture and then let the areas dry thoroughly which can take up to two weeks. If it rains, you may need to wait longer for the surface to dry. After the cedar shakes are completely dry, use a stiff bristled brush to remove any slivers or fibers.
Apply Primer
Primer is essential to protecting the wood and giving the paint a surface to adhere to when painting cedar shakes. An oil-based stain-blocking primer is the best choice to protect the wood from mold, mildew, and other stains. Make sure to get into any overlapped edges and ensure that the primer is getting into any cracks and crevices. If you use a roller or a paint sprayer, you should back brush the surfaces to make sure you’ve covered everything.
Apply Paint
After the primer has dried completely, it’s time to apply the paint. Using exterior grade acrylic-latex paint and the same method as the primer, make sure to focus on the overlapped edges and the cracks and crevices to ensure you’ve protected the entire surface. You should do at least two coats of paint.
Apply Treatments
Cedar shake paint can be formulated to include water resistance, fire protection, and mold and mildew protection, but you may need to apply additional treatments to fully protect your cedar shake roof. Consulting with a professional will help you understand the treatments your roof will need.
How Often Should I Repaint Cedar Shakes?
Cedar shakes should be repainted every five to seven years, though if the shakes were painted within a couple of weeks of installation and the surface was prepared correctly, paint can last up to 10 years, especially in warm, dry areas. In areas with salty sea spray, high moisture, and frequent freeze-thaw cycles, cedar shakes may need to be painted more frequently.
What Is The Best Alternative To Painted Cedar Shakes?
Cedar shakes offer a number of benefits, namely their traditional look and resistance to rot and insects, but they are a difficult material to maintain whether you choose to paint them, stain them, or allow them to weather naturally. They must be checked regularly for mold and mildew and they can warp, split, or crack over time. Cracked or broken shingles should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent moisture from leaking under the roof and causing damage to the underlying roofing material.
There is a better alternative to painting cedar shakes that will allow you to choose a color that is compatible with the home’s design: Composite Cedar Shakes from Brava. Composite Cedar Shakes provide an array of benefits that you won’t get with traditional cedar shakes, but without the maintenance concerns and hassle of painting them to get the color that you want.
Available In A Variety Of Colors
Brava’s composite Cedar Shakes are available in a variety of colors and our use of natural minerals for color and texture paired with the most advanced UV-stabilizing elements give our product superior color and strength that doesn’t need to be refinished like traditional cedar shakes. We offer nine Mother Nature-inspired hues that complement designs from cottage coastal to dramatic modern.
Captures The Beauty Of Authentic Cedar Shakes
Our Cedar Shakes are cast from hand split Western red cedar, so they have unique patterns that aren’t repeated and therefore mimic the natural look of traditional cedar shakes.
Sustainable And Recyclable
One of the best things about using natural cedar shakes is their sustainability, harvested from a renewable resource, they have less of an impact on the environment than other materials. Utilizing composite cedar shakes also offers sustainability. Our roof tiles are made from 100%-recycled materials, diverting materials that would otherwise end up in landfills and using them to create a product that is recyclable at the end of its life.
Brava Cedar Shakes Will Stand The Test Of Time
Cedar Shakes from Brava come with a 50-year limited transferable warranty that shows our confidence in our product. They will continue to look beautiful year after year with no maintenance required. With our composite cedar shakes, you won’t have to worry about warping or cracked shakes or fading colors over time.
Contact the experts at Brava today to discuss the color options we offer and make the right choice for your home!
