Installation Guide

Shakes
1. Hand split and Resawn Shakes
Cedar blocks of appropriate length are split by a hydraulically powered knife, called
a cuber, into straight boards, or blanks. Then the blank is fed into a bandsaw, which
saws the blank from corner to corner, producing 2 tapered shakes, each with a natural
split face and sawn back. Shakes are produced in 2 lengths, 455mm and 610mm, and 2
grades, Number 1, which allows 20% flat grain content, and Premium Grade, which is
100% vertical grain. Shakes are available in Heavy (19mm), Medium (13mm), and
Jumbo (25mm) butt thickness.
2. Tapersplit and Straight Split
Tapersplit shakes are produced largely by hand, using a sharp bladed steel knife, or fro,
and a wooden hammer, or mallet. Alternating the cut from opposing ends of the block
produces a natural taper, which is unique to cedar. Splitting from the same end of the
block with each cut yields a straight split shake. These split shakes are available in two
lengths, 455mm and 610mm, and variable thickness of 13 to 16mm.
3. Tapersawn Shakes
Tapersawn shakes have the appearance of the smooth faced shingle, but the extra
thickness of the shake, allowing for the same installation procedures and exposures of
the shake, provided felt underlayment paper is used as is for shakes. Produced by sawing
both faces on shingle or taper saw machines, the taper is achieved by the mechanical
angle setting of the machinery relative to the saw blade for each cut.
Shingles
Sawn on both sides, relatively smooth face and back, and produced in lengths of
405, 455, and 610mm. The Number 1 Grade Shingle is the premium grade for
roofs and sidewalls. The lesser grades of 2, 3, and 4 allow for mixed grain, knots,
and other defects.
Rebutted and Rejointed Shingles
Shingles which have been remanufactured by retrimming, to produce perfectly
square butts and sides. Uses include applications where tightly fitting or parallel joints
between shingles are desired. Available with unsanded, smooth sanded or “natural
grooved” striated faces, and natural colour or factory primed in a variety of colours.
Packaged in boxes with coverage of 4.6 square metres at exposure of 190mm.
Designer (Fancy Butt) Shingles
These shingles add flair and design innovation to walls, with a selection of
9 different butt profiles. Produced from # 1 Grade Shingles, all clear edge grain
heartwood. Uniform width of 127mm and length of 425mm. A 96 piece carton will
cover 2.3 sq metres at exposure of 190mm.
Treatments
Preservative:
Western Red Cedar Shakes and Shingles readily accept pressure preservative treatment. This treatment
solution has been proven safe and effective in further preserving shakes and shingles against decay and insect
attack. Preservative treatment is highly recommended in areas of high humidity, tree proximity, and rainfall.
Additional warranty coverage is issued with pressure preservative treated shakes and shingles.
Fire Treatment:
Permanent fire protection is given to Western Red Cedar Shakes and Shingles by means of retardant
chemical pressure impregnation. Fire Treated Cedar Shakes and Shingles may be specified where U.K.
Building Regulations call for AA classification.
Maintenance:
Shingles and shakes are generally maintenance free but to increase the longevity, debris accumulating on the
roof should be swept off with a stiff broom or wire brush. Installation of a 100mm zinc strip exposed at the
ridge will also aid in preventing moss growth.
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