| Roof
Grade: |
Roof
Grade is the very highest grade that is produced. Roof Grade
is the premium grade, all clear wood in the exposed area.
No chance of leaking because of any imperfections. Roof Grade
is the same quality in the shingles and shakes. There is however
a higher Roof Grade in shingles. It is called Roof Grade Extra
Clear. What extra clear means is that the shingle is clear
12”. The shingle is still only exposed 5” to the
weather. Click the image to the side and below for a closeup!
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The 12” of clear wood on the shingle is just a little
bit of added insurance, because a shingle is only 3/8”
thick. If one splits or gets damaged from a storm there is
still 7” more of clear wood under the broken shingle.
Shakes do not require an extra clear grade because a shake
is so thick it will not get damaged very easily.
Cedar
shingles and shakes are the only form of roofing material
that actually adds strength to the structure. All other forms
of roofing material are surfacing material only, and impose
a dead load on the roof. The bridging effect of shingles and
shakes on a roof produce a gain in absolute strength. Shakes
add 7 lbs per square foot, and shingles can add 4 lbs per
square foot. |
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| Wall
Grade: |
Wall
Grade is the middle of the road grade. It does not have the
all clear wood in the exposed area. The defects that are in
the exposed area are what are called live knots. Live knots
are all solid knots. The knots will not fall out. They will
not brake. The knots will give a home owner that character
look that is similar to knotty pine. The quality of the wall
grade is just as good as the roof grade. All
the shingles and shakes in this grade
are all sawn true and square. Click the image to the side and below for a closeup!
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| Wall
Grade II: |
Wall
Grade II is the 2nds from the Wall Grade. They are the shingles
and shakes that could have black knots, cracked knots or no
knots in them. This is the grade that gives that rustic look.
A person would put this type of shingle or shake on their
camp, barn, shed, dog house, play house. Dow’s Eastern
White Shingles & Shakes does not recommend putting this
grade on a house, but
we do have a lot of customers put Wall Grade II shingles and
shakes on their house.
Click the image to the side for a closeup! |
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They do this and get away with it by putting the shingles and
shakes on at a reduced coverage. Shingles are supposed to lay
with 5” exposure. People will lay Wall Grade II with a
4” exposure. They will have to take their time doing this,
but can have a nice job a save money. They will do the same
thing with shakes, but will lay them with a 5” exposure
instead of 6”. The Wall Grade II is sawn with the same
quality as the Roof Grade, and Wall Grade. |
