Shakes & Shingles

What's The Difference Between A Shake and a Shingle? Please read our FAQ.

Custom dimensions are available upon request and are our specialty, such as 36" hand-splits of varying widths for those restoration projects you may have.
*All products can be edge trimmed for a more 'finished' appearance.

SHAKES:
Reg. dimensions - 1/2x24" , 5/8x24", 3/4x24", 1/2x18", 3/4x18", 3/8x24"
Jumbo's - 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" and 2"
Our "Platinum Brand Product" - Dbl. edge-trimmed Premium Grade 100% vertical grain heavies

All SHAKES are available in either Regular Grade or Premium Grade and can be Edge Trimmed.

SHINGLES:
Tapersaws - 18" Premium Grade 100% verticle gain, or #1's, #2's and #3's
Perfections - #1's, #2's and #3's

Please visit our "Album" page for product photos as well as manufacturing photos.

 

FAQ

*Whats the difference between a shake and a shingle?

Generally, a shingle is sawn on both sides and is thinner at the butt than a shake, which is typically split on one or both sides. However, there are important exceptions to this, depending on the specific manufacturing method and the dimensions of a specific product.

SHINGLES:
Shingles are always sawn on both sides from a block of cedar. Most shingles are manufactured using a stationary, upright saw. The block of cedar is moved through the path of the saw by a device called a carriage, which holds the wood firmly, but also alternates the angle of the cut with each stroke. After being cut from the block, the sides of each shingle are then trimmed to create square corners on the product.
SHAKES:
Generally, a shake is made from wood which is split from a block of cedar. However, this is not always the case.
Originally, all shakes were split from blocks entirely by hand using a sharp blade called a froe, and a mallet. Some shakes are still manufactured this way and at S&K we can supply this type of product when needed for restoration projects.
This splitting technique may be done straight or at an angle, depending on the needs of the customer.
Shakes which are split straight to create parallel sides, have sometimes been called "barn shakes".
Tapersplit shakes are split at an angle, and are only made with hand tools.
Shakes are still manufactured by hand, but most are now made using powered equipment.
Certi-Split shakes are made by taking the wood straight split from the block, and sawing it end-to-end at an angle. This creates a shake which is sawn on one side and split on the other, often called a "handsplit and resawn" product.
Certi-Sawn shakes are made using the same equipment and methods as a shingle, except the physical dimensions of these tapersawn products, particularly the butts, are more similar to Certi-Split shakes.
Shakes and shingles are also installed differently on a roof. For more information on roof installation, please vist the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau and view thier New Roof Construction Manual.

* Some of the information above is supplied by the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau.