Green Wednesday: Are Wooden Roofs FSC-Certified Nowadays?

From on June 18, 2008 in Roofing

wood-shingle.jpgWooden shakes were one of the original roofing materials, but with the invention of more advanced materials, they have become less common. When selecting your roofing material, is wood even an option anymore?

Wooden shingles are typically made from cedar trees. Very few new homes even consider using wooden shakes, but many homeowners with historical homes want to use them to maintain originality. Wood shakes tend to be high in maintenance, being prone to deterioration, insect infiltration, rot, and mildew. Additionally, over time, the sun dries them and causes them to be very flammable.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) regulates the use of wooden building products ensuring that our forests are preserved and protected. The original wooden shakes were made from cedar trees which aren’t considered a renewable resource. There are newer products made that will have the FSC certification, and should be easier to maintain. A wonderful new product, called The Eco-Shake, is made from 100% recycled materials and imitates the appearance of wood while having none of its negative qualities. It comes with a 50- year warranty, a Class A fire-rating, and none of the monotonous maintenance requirements of typical shingles.

Initially, alternative materials to cedar shakes will be more expensive; but when you consider the longer life-span, lower insurance premiums, and positive effect on the environment, there really is no comparison. Not to mention the additional cost of hiring a roofing contractor to constantly be replacing and repairing shingles after a harsh storm.

If you have your heart set on a wooden shake roofing design, try shopping for products that have the FSC’s seal of approval. Not only will you end up with a better product, but you can do your part to preserve our natural resources. Request free estimates from roofing contractors today.