A Central Idaho fire chief called for a ban on wood shingles in 2013 after a devastating blaze. The city of Alamo Heights, Texas blocked builders from using wood shingles in new construction and remodels in September 2014. And an LA Times article from 1991 reads, “Tragedy Renews Calls for Ban on Wooden Shingles.”

Although cedar shakes and wood shingles have long been used on rooftops, such headlines prove they have their detractors. The negative news coverage is warranted because this type of roof covering is a fire hazard. Jumping embers from a neighboring house fire could easily ignite an abode with wood shingles up top.

Cedar shakes are an antiquated product. Here are some disadvantages of cedar shakes and wood shingles:

• While they can be coated with a fire retardant, that retardant will lose its effectiveness over time. This makes wood shingles an unwise choice, particularly in areas that are prone to hazards such as wildfires.
• They are expensive to install because they are labor-intensive. Manufacturing and shipping expenses are also higher compared to other shingle materials.
• They are prone to mildew and rot and need regular treatments to prevent both. This is of particular concern in wetter climates.

Same Aesthetic Appeal With Asphalt

Those who choose cedar shake and wood shingles often do so for aesthetic reasons. Homeowners should know that manufacturers such as Atlas Roofing Corporation offer asphalt shingles that feature the same traditional look as cedar shake but without the above hassles.

Asphalt shingles are known for their durability and weather-resistant properties. They are less costly to install and easier to maintain when compared to wood shingles, too.

Consider StormMaster® Shake architectural shingles. Available in nine shades, StormMaster® Shake provides a three-dimensional, “shake style” appearance with a color that won’t fade. The color you see is the color you’ll retain for your roof. It has better fire-resistive properties than shake thanks to a Class A rating, too.

StormMaster® Shake, same as Pinnacle® Sun, Pinnacle® Impact and Pinnacle Pristine®, also by Atlas, is made with 3M™ Scotchgard™ Protector to prevent black streaks and stains caused by algae. Scotchgard™ Protector is effective against the offending growth thanks to the shingles high minimum requirements of copper granules and the evenly spread distribution of those copper granules across the shingle.

Manufactured using a rubberized SBS polymer, StormMaster® Shake is highly durable. It offers an up-to 150-mph wind warranty and is listed with UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Resistance, the highest impact rating available.

Cedar wood shake roofs may be attractive to some, but the product has simply outlived its usefulness. Asphalt shingles offer less expensive pricing, superior durability, and fire-resistant properties.

Get the same look — with added benefits — when you use shake-style asphalt shingles.