Wood roofing products are decorative as well as functional and many homeowners in rural areas prefer to build their homes using wood roof shingles and other attractive natural materials. Cedar shingles and shakes breathe well, look great and age quite well, lasting up to 50 years with proper care.

If you are a contractor or builder interested in constructing a home with wood shakes or shingles, there are many sources to consider, from your local lumberyard to large web-based distributors. Here are some factors to think about if you want to build a home with wood roofing supplies:

1. Wood roofing equipment costs more than plain-looking alternatives like metal and slate.

2. There are three types of wood roofing: Alaskan yellow cedar, Eastern white cedar and Western red Cedar.

3. Wood roofing materials cut as shingles are smooth and of equal size while shakes have a rough texture because they come from split lumber.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy wood roofing supplies from a local lumberyard or home improvement store

If your building needs are simple, head for the closest wood roofing supply store. In most areas, a consumer hardware and building materials store has all the material you'll need to construct a wood roof.

I recommend: Check out Bear Creek Lumber for shingles in a variety of sizes, from 16 to 24 inches in round arrow hexagon and other shapes. They also feature shakes and shingles made from other woods, like yellow cedar, and white, all of which can be used as roofing. If you prefer the convenience of a nearby building and home improvement supply store, Home Depot offers advice on using wood roofing material and hints on their website and from in-store experts.

Consult a wood roofing products supplier directly

To ensure the highest quality and best selection, consult wood roof manufacturers via their website or toll free number and bypass the impersonal atmosphere of a big retailer. If you have a major renovation or building job ahead of you, or if you are a contractor who needs to roof many buildings, contacting a manufacture of wooden shingles can be a time-saver.

I recommend: Call CertainTeed and browse their selection of roofing and building materials which includes wood shingles, shakes and sliding and insulation. Look at the selection of shingles from True North Cedar, Inc., which offers Eastern white cedar singles at different price ranges and quality levels graded A through D. Buy hand split red cedar shakes and refurnished shakes and shingles from Watkin Sawmills, Ltd., a specialist in cedar roofing materials.

Contact a wholesale wood roofing equipment distributor for greater discount and better selection

When you need the best quality wood roof shingles and prefer to browse all cedar types and sizes, a wood roofing materials distributor will offer you the selection you need and quick delivery or pick-up service.

I recommend: Buy tapersawn or hand split shakes or shingles from BuildDirect, a multipurpose building distributor. Look at The Teal-Jones Group website and check out their selection of cedar wood shakes and shingles.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To prolong the life of wood roof shingles, wash and oil them regularly. Contact your local supplier for the proper wood maintenance products.