Many homeowners love the attractive look that wood shakes can give to a house. They have a rustic beauty that adds a lot of character to a home's appearance. In the predominantly dry climate of Las Vegas, however, it's necessary to carefully choose a wood shake roofing product that's durable and mostly resistant to the weather. Cedar is one of the most common and popular choices. Among shakes, cedar has good resistance to insect damage and decay because of the natural oils it contains. For those who want a bit more of an advantage in terms of durability, treated shakes are available. They're still wood, but preservatives give them better resistance to the kind of wood-unfriendly weather elements you might find in an arid desert climate.
Choosing wood shake roofing in Las Vegas, energy efficiency is another major consideration. Shake roofs, in the moderate to cool range of natural materials, insulate very well compared to other traditional roofing products. This insulation quality, combined with intelligent design features that ensure proper ventilation, can conserve energy over the life of a home. The shakes themselves also have an energy-saving quality, largely because they are natural materials and, for the most part, have not been altered in a way that changes their appearance and texture. For added energy efficiency, many roofers in the West apply special energy-saving reflective and/or ultraviolent (UV) ray-proof coatings to the shakes after the roof has been installed.
Ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of wood shake roofs in Las Vegas requires a dedicated maintenance regimen. This must include regular inspections and cleaning to stop the accumulation of debris. More problematic is the possible development of mold due to trapped moisture; keeping the roof dry obviously helps. Good air circulation in the attic space can’t be stressed enough for roofs of all kinds, but especially for wood shakes. The reason is that exhaust ventilation at the peak of the roof and intake ventilation at the eaves not only helps keep the attic comfortably cool but also extends the life of the roofing system by keeping it dry. In addition to routine inspections and good ventilation, a wood shake roof requires periodic (typically annual) treatment with a water-repellent that also serves as a fire retardant.
