Faux Cedar Shake Siding: 7 Design Ideas to Consider

Cedar shingle siding and cedar wood shake siding has always been a popular option for homes of all kinds. Whether you want a classic rustic wood shake look or something more modern, wood siding is a good choice. However, even within the category of wood siding and cedar siding, there are different options to consider like artificial cedar shakes, imitation shake shingles and even synthetic roofing products.

One option that has become an increasingly popular style of wood siding is shingle style and artificial synthetic cedar shakes.

Why Choose Cedar Shingle Siding?

When you think about wood shingles or cedar shingle siding, you likely think of the roof or roofing materials. While this is the main use for wood shingles and cedar wood shakes, it is certainly not the only one. In fact, many homeowners have begun using wood shakes and cedar wood shingles as siding to create a unique look on the exterior of their home. This can provide a rustic or modern look to a home, with overlapping shingles allowing for endless design possibilities.

However, regular wood shingles require a certain level of maintenance, which is part of why some homeowners avoid them as a design option. Fortunately, there are now companies on the market that offer faux cedar shake siding that looks natural, but is much easier to maintain.

Benefits of Faux Cedar Shakes and Cedar Shake Siding

1. Low Maintenance

The biggest benefit to faux cedar shake siding is that is has minimal maintenance requirements. Unlike real wood shake shingles, once faux cedar shake siding is installed, there is virtually no maintenance required beyond cleaning it with a hose and water every so often. Artificial cedar shakes and synthetic cedar shakes are composed from synthetic composite materials that are designed and engineered to last much longer than it’s natural counterparts like wood. If you want a low maintenance roofing product then look no further than artificial cedar shakes or synthetic cedar shakes.

2. Very Durable

Another benefit to faux cedar shake siding and artificial cedar shakes is that it is much more durable than traditional cedar wood shakes. Artificial and faux cedar shake siding may offer Class A Fire Ratings, the highest fire rating possible, as well as a Class 4 Impact Rating, making it resistant to elements such as hail and falling branches. This high durability means it is more durable and less likely to crack or chip from exposure to high temperatures, heavy winds, or other harsh environments.

3. Real Wood Shake Look

While faux wood products and synthetic roofing products of the past could be easily spotted as fake, today’s roofing products have a more natural wood look. Now, faux cedar shake siding looks natural, is easy to find, is usually molded from actual cedar or redwood planks, and has realistic grain patterns. If you want to compliment the architectural style and color scheme of your home then consider a synthetic faux cedar shake product.

4. Insurance Benefits

States like California, Texas, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado have banned the use of wood shake shingle roofs in certain communities and mountain towns. This is because the risk of wildfires is so prevalent that communities have put a ban on natural wood roofing products due to their flammability and fire risk. More and more states are completely banning new installation of cedar wood shake roofs. States and insurance companies offer special incentives and discounts for people to make the switch to alternative, fire-rated materials. Completely fire-resistant faux cedar shake siding allows homeowners to maintain the look of wood while also taking advantage of the insurance benefits that are available.

Artificial Cedar Shake Shingles for Siding

CeDUR is a company that creates and manufactures artificial faux cedar shakes that while geared towards roofing, also make great siding that looks natural. Their products are made using a unique polyurethane manufacturing process that molds their synthetic shakes from real wood shakes. This gives CeDUR shingles an incredibly realistic real-wood look, using a lightweight and durable material and special paints.

Faux Cedar Shake Siding Design Ideas

1. Mix it with Vinyl

If you do not want your whole home covered in faux cedar shake siding, then consider breaking it up with another type of siding material such as vinyl. Incorporating a material like vinyl can help further improve the curb appeal and uniqueness of a home. If you want to add a bit of charm and character to a home try a well rated vinyl siding material.

2. Mix it with Brick

If vinyl isn’t your thing, you can also combine faux cedar shake siding with other materials such as brick. Brick is as durable as faux cedar shake shingles, which will provide your home with extra protection. Brick provides a timeless look that compliments most home styles and architectural design styles. Bricks can also easily be painted if you ever decide to change up your home’s exterior, making updating the look a lot easier.

3. Match the Roof and Siding

The great thing about synthetic imitation shakes and faux wood shake shingles is that they can be used anywhere on a home. If you’re into a streamed-lined, single material option to keep things simple, consider using the same faux cedar shake as roofing as well as siding. You can save a lot of time in designing your home’s exterior while also creating a simple, clean-looking home.

4. Add Lots of Windows

Windows always have a way of bringing light into a home and can even make it feel much bigger. Consider breaking up your faux cedar shake siding with a lot of windows. While this may only apply to custom home builds because you can not just add windows to any home, it is still something you may want to consider for your next home. Having many windows will add more light and help keep the look of faux wood shake siding from being too overwhelming.

5. Go Lighter than the Roof Color

Since faux cedar shake siding that looks natural can be found in different shades, you have a number of different options and color options to consider. If you already have a dark roof, consider using a lighter faux wood siding material. This can brighten up your home, create contrast, and also add interest to your home’s exterior. A roof like CeDUR is also Cool Roof Rated and Title 24 compliant. If you are a Southern California or Los Angeles County resident, than the CeDUR Golden Cedar color is a great option for you because it is a Cool Roof Rated and Title 24 compliant roofing product.

6. Combine Panels and Shingles

Wood siding comes in different styles, so why not combine your favorites? Instead of having your whole home covered in faux cedar shake siding, make it an accent piece for the outside of your home and combine it with either real wood siding or faux wood planks. The combination of panels and shingles on different parts of a home can create a custom look that compliments a homes natural surroundings and adds rustic wood charm to just about any home.

7. Mix Colors and Material Types

Again, since artificial faux wood shake shingles come in different colors, it is easy to mix and match them to create an interesting, different look. Consider choosing one color for the main part of your home, while having another to accent certain areas. Incorporating different types of materials like brick, vinyl and wood can create a unique appearance and stunning curb appeal.

Faux wood shake shingles do not have to be limited to just your roof. They can easily double as faux cedar shake siding, and can create a truly unique and eye-catching exterior for any home. While they are traditionally seen as a rustic option, with the right design,  faux wood shake shingles can look good even on more modern-style homes and architectural design styles.

If you’re interested in faux cedar shake siding that looks natural, consider CeDUR, a synthetic roofing manufacturer that offers high-quality, realistic imitation shakes that are sure to impress and last for years to come.