Bernadette Dawson
Wood is a material that has been used since ancient times to build roofs. Even today, if someone wants to provide a rustic look to his home, he only uses this material. Until the 19th-century, people preferred this for constructing these roofs as well. However, if you are also thinking of doing the same, there are specific points that you must keep in mind.
This article will discuss some things that you must be aware of before installing a wooden roof at your home. Without having proper knowledge, it will be tough for you to determine if this will work as an excellent roofing material for your house or not. Nowadays, there are many variations of roofs available in the market to choose from but picking up the suitable material is crucial for you.
Things to Know Before Installing a Wooden roof
Check out the quality of the materials
When you decide to choose wood as your roofing material, it becomes essential to check out various properties. But what all are the properties that you need to look at while picking up the best wood for your house? The most important properties that your roofing substance must have are stability and durability. A durable wooden substance shows that it has been extracted from big and robust trees.
The fact that how a roof performs all depends upon its quality and species. Western red cedar is one of the most popular substances used by people because it has features that give high performance. Some of the other famous choices are cypress, pine, etc. Check out degoedkoopsteveranda.nl to get some more information related to this topic.
Another important property that the material must have is resistance to rot and moisture. One of the best examples of such wood is cedar. But if you are looking for a more attractive or appealing option, you can also go for redwood as it also has similar properties as the cedar. However, remember that it is not an affordable option. Whenever you have a limited budget then, cypress and yellow pine are the best choices.
Analyzing and fixing the existing problems in your roof
Regardless of whether you’ve had issues with spilling previously or not, it is strongly suggested that you review the compressed wood supporting your rooftop. If you notice any regions where the sheathing is delicate or broken, then we recommend you fix it immediately without any delay. And only after fixing the previous issues should you go ahead with building a new wooden shelter.
Consider all the wooden options
There are two basic types of wood, shingles, and shakes. Shingles are made using a tapering machine on either of their sides and are available in lengths ranging from 16-24 inches. On the other hand, if we talk about shakes, they are much thicker than shingles. Both of the varieties come in different variants of colors. However, over time their color can change into gray, showing a rustic look.
Get knowledge about their maintenance
One of the most significant drawbacks of using wood as a roofing substance is that it requires more maintenance than other materials. It is because algae and moss can quickly grow on wooden shelters. But they can be treated with specific chemicals to fight this issue. Whenever you observe moss growing on the shelter, remove it immediately with the help of sweeping and power washing; otherwise, it can deteriorate your wooden shelter.
Benefits of wooden roof
- Unique: Unlike the shelters made up of metals or other substances, wooden shelters are not a standard option. Therefore, if you are looking to build a unique house, you can go ahead with this option.
- Durable: If it is appropriately introduced and kept up with, wooden rooftops can last 50 years. Unlike asphalt shingles, which regularly have a life expectancy of around 20 years, wood rooftops are superior speculation.
- Energy-efficient: When it comes to providing natural insulation at your home, wooden rooftops are the best. It helps in trapping the heat in the winter season, which means you don’t need electric heaters for this purpose. It automatically helps in saving the electricity bills.
- Sustainable: Wooden materials are more environment-friendly than other roofing materials such as metals.
Drawbacks of wooden rooftops
Moss and algae: If your wooden rooftop isn’t dealt with as expected, dampness and chilly climate can prompt algae and moss development, making holes in the wood shingles. These holes can prompt holes, which might cause spilling or leakage in your rooftop.
- Costly: The final expense will rely upon the size of your rooftop and the nature of the materials. At the same time, by and large, wood shakes are the most costly choice. If you compare the cost of the wood shingles to the asphalt shingles, you will find out that the former is double the latter’s cost.
- Attract insects: Insects or bugs get attracted to anything that is made up of wood. So you only have two choices left with you, one is to eat them, or the other is to get into the habit of living with them. However, it also depends upon the region where you live.
- Not very resistant to moisture: Regardless of whether a wooden rooftop is finished and painted, dampness can, in any case, saturate the material, making the shingles swell or twist. This will prompt holes, water harm, and decay and will seriously abbreviate the life expectancy of your rooftop.
To sum up
Before installing wooden rooftops, it is better to gain knowledge about it. If you live in a region that is prone to fire, you should consider it twice before getting it because woods are flammable. Check out the above benefits and drawbacks that can help you to make your final call.
