Next year I will be installing a white cedar shingle roof on my 1830s home in Upstate New York. The material choice is purely for aesthetics. The original wood shingles were installed directly on the roof decking (14-inch wide boards with one-inch gaps between). I understand that wood shingles need to dry between rainstorms, and that an airspace beneath is critical. In a past project, I used a course of wood lath for each row of shingles. Now I am considering a product called “Cedar Breather” which seems less labor-intensive, has a slightly lower depth profile, and might allow greater air movement (or not?).
Anyone have any experience or opionions about this product?
I appologize if this has been addressed previously … I’m brand new to this message board.
Thanks.
Allen
Replies
In theory, it is good stuff, but it's only been out for something like 8-10 years so....but you gotta let the cedars breathe, yes.
You'll hear plenty from others here.
Good luck
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Thanks, Piffin. I haven't actually SEEN the product, yet, but I believe it's a fibrous mesh, sort of like steel wool, but made of synthetic material. I wonder if, over time, it might clog up with debris?
I recently checked the condition of my first wood-shingle roofing job, and after 15 years it still looks great, with no signs of leaks. And I used a low grade of white cedar ... 16-inch shingles with 5-inch exposure. I discarded the worst of the shingles (maybe a tenth of them), and broke any wide ones (more than 8 inches) in half before installing (on wood lath).
Allen
I'm finishing 60 sq of red cedar perfections on my roof this week.
About half I installed over Cedarbreather (on the additions I put on)and the other half is on my existing 1680 house over existing skip sheathing (A full 1" x4").
I can tell you for a fact that the cedarbreather works fantastic.
I'm using "green (wet)" perfections and I can see the water dripping out from under the shingles into the gutters as it dries out.
I've lived up in Woodstock for a while and I'm guessing youre not far away....the weather there isnt a whole lot different than here in cold Spring Harbor on LI
Be wet and dripping ; )~
andy
Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Edited 8/4/2004 7:39 am ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)
Edited 8/4/2004 7:40 am ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)
Figgure 50 bucks a sq. it is a 2 sq. roll. I too just put up a LOT, of it..swing stapler and knife is all ya need...I use a SWK the blade is longer, hold it upside down and use like yer guttin a deer, ya don't cut yer felt thata way.
I'm using the B Obdyke stuff...works well, do not lay out so much ya have to walk on it a lot...it don't stay stuck on a steep roof till the cedar is down.
It is slippery too, get some cheap foam like carpet pad, lay a hunk on the CB, and yer shingles on that...keeps em on the roof.
Maybe I can get some pics today..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
don't know anything about the product but a roofer talked with specializes wood shingle roofs and sidewalls told me it grows mushrooms inside over time like i said, never used it, but might want to ask around or just use sleepers this was is in damp coastal area
<<<<<told me it grows mushrooms inside over time >>>
Really??? OMG, I'm gonna be so in the money now....
hey, is that a bad thing? Nahhhh Nahhhh...I so love your roofer!!!Tell him I said thanks for the good news.
Be psychodelisized
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
'tween KY blue grass, an good cow manure, mushrooms on this roof will be a prize...
be steppin off the roof..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
u be wearin a harness up there w all those shrooms i'd think the heat would wipe anything out, but this guy swore stuff grew up there and blocked it may be why he specialized in wood shingle roofs
shrooms on the roof?
Somebody go tell Beckman."sobriety is the root cause of dementia.", rez,2004
"Geodesics have an infinite proliferation of possible branches, at the whim of subatomic indeterminism.",Jack Williamson, The Legion of Time
Allen,
Welcome aboard.
And yes, Cedar Breather is a good product. Works as advertised on walls or roofs.
<aside> I've never seen it expand.
Thanks for the feedback. I've considered dipping the shingles in a fungicide (the unexposed portion of the shingle); maybe that would take care of any potential mushroom problems?! I figure it would be fairly simple (though time-consuming) to cram a bunch shingles, tapered end down, into a 5-gallon bucket ... then pour fungicide in, leaving the upper 5 inches of the shingles exposed. The fungicide is pretty toxic stuff, though.
Just put up the CB and dont worry bout it cause what ever you dunk the shingles in are gonna wear off anyway in a few years....now get to work bro and enjoy the shroomers.
Be under the boardwalk or up on the roof
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
You can get treated shingles..lookin at a 250 a sq. thereabouts for 18'' wrc perfections..not sure what is available in awc shingles..
I highly doubt the mushroom theory..if ya use any copper flashing or ridge roll, I'd bet $ you'd never see a 'shroom.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.