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.

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