Cedar roofing can be beautiful and give your home a rustic feel over typical fiberglass shingles. Because these shingles are natural, they require different care than other roofing materials. Cedar roof cleaning and cedar roof preservation are both important tasks homeowners must complete to prolong the life of this type of roof.
Protecting Your Cedar Roof
If you know people who have cedar shake roofs, you may have heard that they need to be repaired or replaced all the time. This does not have to be the case. If you understand how to properly maintain your cedar roof, you can enjoy a great-looking, long-lasting cedar roof for years and years.
What’s important to realize is that there are two major threats to your cedar roof’s health:
Moisture from rain or other precipitation
Infestation, e.g. mildew, mold, fungi, lichen
People think cedar is highly susceptible to decay, but the truth is cedar is an extremely sturdy wood. However, the way today’s cedar roofs are built, without proper spacing between the shakes, does not allow for proper air flow, which means moisture and mold can get into the roof and fester, if allowed to do so. Cedar that you protect from moisture can last 60 years or more.
Once the moisture comes, infestation is often not far behind, especially if other debris and vegetation is allowed to sit on the roof. The solution is to have your cedar shakes professionally cleaned on a regular basis. This is much less expensive and time-consuming than having to replace your entire roof, which is what will happen if you leave that roof unattended for long enough that the mold or algae strangles and suffocates all your shakes.
How Long Should A Cedar Roof Last?
If you are considering cedar shingles for your home, you may be curious about how well your new roof will endure because you don’t want to worry about paying for a full replacement. In general, a well-maintained cedar roof can last between 30 and 40 years; however, proper cleaning and other maintenance is required to ensure the roof lasts as long as possible. Mold, mildew, and rot can occur without standard upkeep, leading to a need for complete restoration.
Cedar Shakes vs. Cedar Shingles
When you decide to install a cedar roof, you will have to choose between using cedar shakes or cedar shingles. Cedar shingles have a similar shape to other man-made shingles many people already use for their roofing. Cedar shakes, on the other hand, look more natural and have a tendency to weather more damage because they are thicker and last longer against the elements.
How to Preserve a Cedar Roof
If you want your cedar roofing to last as long as possible, it is important to take the necessary precautions. For instance, proper cedar roof cleaning will help keep dirt and debris off your roof. This allows it to dry properly after rain and snow, preventing mold and mildew problems. In addition to cleaning, you must also check for damage on a regular basis and identify any mold or lichen growth. The earlier you identify problems, the easier they will be to resolve.
Cedar roof cleaning is just a part of preserving your new home improvement.
While this natural material has a history of lasting longer than other man-made options, it is essential that you take the steps needed to care for your roof. With the right choices and maintenance, you can prolong the life of your cedar shingles, giving you the beautiful home you've always wanted.
If you want to keep your roof looking its best and able to withstand wear and tear over the years, here are three of the best ways to preserve it:
Prevent decay: As a natural material, cedar shakes are porous and can absorb more moisture than man-made roofing. For this reason, this type of roof is susceptible to mold, mildew, lichen, fungi and moss issues. Over time, the roof can take on a dingy look that causes many homeowners to consider replacement. However, a good cedar roof cleaning can refresh the look of the cedar roofing and prevent the start of decay.
Apply sealant: Most wood features on a home, such as decks, require the application of sealant to prolong the life of the wood. This step is not necessary for cedar roof preservation. In fact, sealing the shakes is not recommended because they need to breathe in order to stay dry. Staining the shingles can be done without impacting the integrity of the roofing materials.
Keep debris clean: Another important step in cedar roof preservation is to keep debris off your roof. Depending on the design of your roof, you may have crevices in which leaves and other debris tend to accumulate. Removing this buildup on a regular basis will help the cedar shingles breathe more easily and allow them to dry quickly. This will slow down the growth of mold, fungi and other problems, allowing you to keep your cedar roofing looking its best.
How Often Is Service Needed?
Our experts recommend homeowners remove debris from their roof every year. This can easily be done at the same time as gutter cleaning. Cedar roof cleaning isn’t necessary on a yearly basis, but should be done every six to eight years to prolong the life of the roof.
Cedar roofing is a great way to create a natural feel for your home. However, when you install this type of roofing, it is important to understand proper cedar roof preservation to prolong its life. A well-maintained cedar roof can last between 30 and 50 years!
Trust Our Team of Experts to Handle Your Cedar Roof Maintenance
If you’re not sure how to maintain cedar shake roofs, turn to the team of experts at Cedar Roof Coatings. For more than 35 years, our family-owned and -operated company has been serving Fairfield, Westchester County, Manhattan and The Hamptons, transforming homes throughout the area.
Our trained team will take the time to learn more about your needs and challenges during a consultation. This will allow us to deliver tailored advice and develop a maintenance plan that works best for you. We’ll do what it takes to transform your exterior and deliver the highest-quality results possible.
With our cedar roof maintenance services, you’ll be able to take advantage of all kinds of benefits, including:
Beautiful appearance that improves the curb appeal of your home.
Improved value thanks to a freshly maintained and repaired roof.
Lasting protection, preserving the overall integrity and investment of your roof.
Interested in Learning More About Cedar Roof Preservation Services?
At Cedar Roof Coatings, our team is here to help with all aspects of preserving your cedar roof. If you’re looking for a trusted company to perform your cedar roof cleaning and maintenance, we invite you to consult with our team.
Contact us online or give us a call at 203.847.5740 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help keep your roof looking like new.
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