What Are Exterior Shakes?

Siding

• Shakes are most commonly used as siding for homes. They are placed in an overlapping pattern, with lower shakes underneath the row of shakes above them, which protects the house from rain and snow because water runs off the upper rows to the ground. Exterior shakes give a home a natural, rustic or traditional look, depending on the style and material.

Materials

• Cedar is the most common material for exterior shakes. It can be left natural, painted or stained. Redwood is another favorite material for shakes. Other types of wood that weather well, such as cypress, are also used for shakes. Man-made materials include cement fiberboard and aluminum.

Styles

• While a simple rough-hewn rectangular shape, referred to as hand-split, most often comes to mind regarding shakes or shingles, there are other common styles. The half round, which is squared at one end and rounded at the other, is common on Victorian style and New England homes. Different color half-round shakes are often used to create interesting patterns. Long shakes, which are extra long rectangles, can give a home a rustic look. Perfectly-shaped shakes are the same shape as hand-split but have a very uniform look.

Pros and Cons

• Shakes offer a distinctive look enjoyed by many homeowners. If made of cedar, they also repel insects and require very little maintenance if left unpainted. They are also good at controlling moisture and protecting against the elements. Shakes made of wood, but not cedar, on the other hand, can attract insects and require regular painting, which can be expensive and time consuming.

Other Uses

• Although shakes are used as siding, the term is sometimes applied to shingles used on a roof. In some areas, the same shakes used as siding are used on the roof. In most cases, however, a different style of shake or shingle is used as roofing. Shakes used on the roof are sometimes made of wood but more often are metal, fiberglass or asphalt.