Skip the Big Chain Stores For Synthetic Cedar Shakes, Go Straight to the Source
When homeowners want a warm, rustic look for their roof, one possibility comes to mind: cedar shakes. These are traditional options that have been around for centuries. However, as popular as traditional cedar is, there are plenty of problems that come with it–including availability. This has led to the growth in popularity of synthetic cedar shakes, but don't expect to walk into a big chain store like Lowes or any other home improvement store to pick these shingles up. If fact, you may be sorely disappointed by what you find.
Benefits of Synthetic Cedar Shakes
Appearance
For a while, the biggest concern about synthetic cedar shakes was that they looked fake, but with so much technology and knowledge available, companies have found ways to create products that are so realistic, you would never know they are fake. From the color of the shakes, down to the wood grain, synthetic cedar looks just like the real thing.
Lightweight
While the appearance is the same, the weight of synthetic shakes is where the difference starts. Real cedar shakes are so heavy that some homes require additional structural support to be able to handle the weight. Fortunately, synthetic shakes eliminate that issue by being incredibly lightweight, so there is no need for any additional structural support.
Durable
Although cedar is a durable material, it is not completely immune to the elements. This is especially true for untreated cedar that is completely unprotected from rain, wind, and fire. Synthetic shakes, on the other hand, offer durability against the elements, and more.
Affordable
Another major benefit of synthetic cedar is that it is far more affordable than traditional cedar. You will not have to worry about high shipping costs due to the weight, having to hire costly installation professionals, or even having to do costly maintenance. Once your synthetic shakes are installed, you just have to enjoy them.
Low-Maintenance
By far, one of the most amazing benefits of synthetic cedar shakes is the maintenance requirements–or lack of required maintenance. Unlike traditional cedar, which requires regular maintenance to keep it looking good, once synthetic cedar is installed, you are done. While you may want to dust off leaf debris, there are no necessary stains or coatings to apply, no moss or fungus to worry about, and no replacing shakes.
The Offerings at Lowes
For homeowners that want a rustic look without the cost or maintenance, synthetic cedar shakes are the perfect choice. However, when it comes to finding synthetic cedar shakes, Lowes is not the place to go. Although Lowes is known for offering a variety of different products, synthetic cedar shakes is not one of them–even their traditional cedar product listings aren't that impressive. But, you won’t even find synthetic cedar shakes on their website, let alone in the store. So, where do you go when you want synthetic cedar shakes?
Finding the Best Synthetic Cedar Shakes
When you are looking into synthetic cedar shakes, you have to know your options.
Many different companies offer synthetic cedar shakes, but not all of them offer the same quality. By far, one of the best companies for this style of roofing is CeDUR Roofing Shakes, a pioneer in the field of synthetic roofing shingles. Their shingles are made from a unique polyurethane material, using a state-of-the-art manufacturing process. They shingles are engineered to have a real-wood look, but the differences end there.
CeDUR's roofing shakes are water-resistant and are also resistant to mold and mildew. They offer a Class A Fire Rating, a Class 4 Impact Rating, and can withstand winds up to 115 mph, even though they are lightweight–weighing just 170 pounds per square. Their shingles will not split, rot, or suffer a loss of color, even with exposure to the elements, and they are UV reflective. Furthermore, they will better insulate your home, saving you money on your utility bills.
Best of all, CeDUR's shingles are cost-effective, low-maintenance, and easy-to-install.
While you cannot walk into Lowes or other home improvement stores and pick up CeDUR Roofing Shakes off the shelf, they are not difficult to get. You can order CeDUR shakes directly from their website and have it shipped to your home for an affordable price. In order to make sure you get the right amount, however, consider hiring a professional contractor who can help with the process.
Cedar shakes have long been a popular option, and now synthetic cedar shakes are taking over. Their beautiful appearance and high durability give synthetic cedar shakes a much longer lifespan than traditional cedar. Unfortunately, Lowes has no synthetic options of cedar shake roofing at all. Even if they were to offer them in the future, you would likely only find cheaper, lower quality options. Instead, you can go directly to CeDUR now and get their high-quality, beautiful synthetic cedar shakes.