Cedar Care & Maintenance Overview

Certi-label^TMCedar Is Naturally Long-Lasting

Cedar shakes and shingles have been used for hundreds of years. They have proven their longevity in actual weather conditions, in all types of climates. Cedar shakes and shingles contain oils that make them naturally decay resistant. Their insulative qualities, aesthetic appeal, and wind & impact resistance make Certi-label^TM cedar shakes and shingles the natural choice for your roofing and siding material

Longevity Starts With A Quality Manufacturer

Not all cedar products are alike. Purchasing cedar products with the "Certi" brand name on the bundle label guarantees you that the mill undergoes inspections by an independent third party inspection agency. Only Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau member mills are allowed to label their products with the Certi-Label^TM. Each member mill's bundles will have the distinctive Certi-label^TM tucked under the bundle strap. Locating Certi-label^TM products is as close as your nearest computer or telephone. Contact the Cedar Bureau for more information.

Longevity Continues With A Quality Installation

Roof construction plays a major role in determining the lifespan of cedar roofs. Proper design is absolutely critical to ensure long-term roof integrity. Proper installation will help maximize the life of cedar products. Cedar Bureau Approved Installers have met membership criteria and continue to prove themselves with each job they complete. Approved Installers offer a workmanship guarantee, references, and are the only contractors authorized to give homeowners the warranty administered by the Cedar Bureau. Locating Approved Installers is as close as your nearest computer or telephone. Contact the Cedar Bureau for the names of members in your area.

Experienced care and maintenance professionals can make recommendations based on:

• Zinc or copper strips nailed at the ridge cap can be effective to control moss. Reaction between rain and the zinc or copper forms a mild solution that is carried down sections of the roof. The optional use of these strips can be eliminated if you are using Certi-Last® products.
• Overhanging branches should be kept trimmed away from the roof. This will prevent leaves, small branches and other debris from building up and keeping the roof wet.
• Gutters and downspouts need to be cleaned regularly, usually in the spring and fall. Downspouts (leaders) should run directly to the ground or to another gutter below. Never let a downspout drain directly onto a lower roof surface.
• Cedar needs to breathe, and therefore needs to be kept clean. Do not allow leaves, branches or other debris to build up on the roof. Both surface areas and keyways (spaces between shakes and shingles) need to be kept clear.
• Ensure ventilation is available, year round. Areas with louvers, ridge vents, roof vents, and soffit vents need to be kept clear and never blocked off. Adequate ventilation ensures heat and moisture do not build up in the attic area. Adequate ventilation also prevents water from accumulating at the bottom of the roof and then freezing (ice damming)

Certi-label^TM Cedar is also available with our Pressure-Impregnated Treatment Process.

For even longer life span, where climate is a factor, Cedar Bureau members offer Certi-Last® preservative-treated shakes and shingles. These products are ideal for areas of high humidity.

Certi-Last® products are cedar shakes and shingles that are factory pressure-treated by quality treaters who are members of the Cedar Bureau. Contact the treatment company for warranty details.

Pressure-treated Certi-Guard or Certi-Last® products should not receive after-market roof treatments without written permission from the manufacturer of such products.

A Word About Topical Treatments For Installed Roofs

There are hundreds of companies offering topical roof spraying and cleaning services. The Cedar Bureau has conducted an in-depth study of care and maintenance systems, and provides the following summary:

Avoid the fly-by-night operation that has no permanent office, no workmanship guarantee, and no local references. Fly-by-night operations often gouge consumers for thousands of dollars beyond the value of their service, leaving them with damaged roofs covered with unsuitable and sometimes dangerous treatment products.

If you elect to have a topical treatment applied to your cedar roof, the Cedar Bureau recommends the following:

1. Check references (consumer, Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce).
2. Ask about the treatment product that is being used (more details follow).
3. Ask to see the company's workmanship guarantee, license, and workers' compensation coverage.