Shakes
Shakes are a type of timber roofing and cladding material, similar to shingle but whereby each shake is made by hand using a using a mallet and froe, splitting the timber along the grain, rather than sawn, as with shingles. This method is a more traditional approach creating a thicker individual shake formed naturally as the timber splits giving what might be considered as a more rustic and textured appearance.
Shakes are laid with the split (rougher) side facing up, meaning that they lie less flat than shingles, making the gaps between them more susceptible to penetration by the elements. To accommodate this, a breathable layer of felt paper is often laid between courses of shakes. Due to their additional thickness, shakes have a heavier shadow line than shingles, and have a more rustic aesthetic with varied sizes and rougher faces. Shakes are more common in conservation projects and listed buildings, whereas wooden shingles are more likely to be used for general purposes.
Some of the advantages of wooden shakes:
- Interesting and diverse appearances.
- Organic and eco-friendly.
- Can be very energy efficient if installed correctly.
- Very durable with excellent weather-resistance.
Some of the disadvantages of wooden shingles and shakes are as follows:
- Can be more expensive in material and installation costs.
- More susceptible to fire.
- Can be more difficult to install.
- Require careful maintenance to ensure durability.
- Susceptible to infestation, rotting and mould.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Battens.
- Ceiling tiles.
- Ceramic tiles.
- Clovelly, a village changing hands and changing with the times.
- Conservation.
- Delabole Slate.
- Domestic roofs.
- Double lap roofing.
- Flashing.
- Flat roof defects.
- Heritage.
- Historic environment.
- IHBC articles.
- Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
- Nails - a brief history.
- Photocatalytic tiles.
- Pitched roof.
- Planning for sustainable historic places.
- Reconciling conservation and sustainable development.
- Roof coverings.
- Roof insulation.
- Roof slates.
- Roof tiles
- Roofing defects.
- Shingle roofing.
- Sustaining Clovelly, a history, its management and retrofit.
- Thatch roofing.
- Tiles.
- Tile roofing
- Types of nails.
- Types of roof
- Weatherboarding
Featured articles and news
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.