Many homeowners think that all roofing materials are created equally. That may be true for inferior roofing options like asphalt shingles, but as any homeowner with a cedar roof knows, cedar shingles are far superior. Not only are cedar roofs exceptionally attractive, capable of boosting curb appeal and value, they also offer exceptional performance, even in the blazing summers of New York and Connecticut.
Are Cedar Roofs Good in the Summer?
The sizzling northeastern summers may be harsh on many building materials, but with proper maintenance, cedar roofs can actually withstand even the most extreme summer heat. Besides their long lifespan, natural beauty and durable finish, cedar shingles offer a range of unmatched benefits for homes all summer long that most modern homeowners cannot ignore. Imagine having a roofing material that is environmentally friendly, improving your whole-home energy efficiency while significantly reducing your cooling costs in the summer. But how can cedar roofs offer such exceptional, lasting performance?
Cedar Roofing Is a Natural Insulator
Due to their organic material and loose cell structure, cedar shingles offer exceptional natural insulation, especially when compared to alternative roofing materials like asphalt and metal. With a cedar roof, homes can typically keep interior spaces, including attics, cooler during the summer months. By naturally keeping cool air trapped inside and shielding your home from the heat, cedar roofing can greatly improve your household’s comfort and maintain eco-friendly practices.
Improved Insulation Reduces Energy Costs
By having your home properly insulated with cedar shingles, you can maintain more comfortable interiors even on the hottest afternoons and reduce how often you’re using your air conditioning system. When your indoor temperatures are consistent and you’re using less energy to keep your home cool, you can expect to save on your monthly utility costs.
Cedar Roofs Resist Climate Change
For homeowners looking to minimize their carbon footprint and incorporate as many eco-friendly materials into their daily lifestyles as possible, you cannot do better than cedar roofing materials. Before the trees are transformed into beautiful, natural roofing shingles, they offer exceptional carbon dioxide absorption and produce oxygen. Even after the tree has reached the end of its life cycle and is crafted into roofing materials, the carbon dioxide is stored inside the wood, limiting the amount of the greenhouse gas present in the atmosphere.
And after 50 or more years, if it’s finally time to replace your cedar shingles, you can rest assured that they can easily be recycled, minimizing damage to the planet.
Improve the Quality of Your Cedar Roof With Summer Maintenance
With summer in full swing, the best way to ensure your cedar roof provides optimal energy efficiency and lasting performance in hot weather is with routine summer maintenance tasks. Climbing on your roof in the intense summer heat may not be appealing for most homeowners, but with help from a professional cedar roof maintenance and repair company, you can keep your cedar shingles in pristine condition.
During summer maintenance, an extensively trained, experienced professional will thoroughly clean your cedar roof, preserving the natural appearance of the wood while also restoring necessary lignin found in the cedar materials. Lignin helps maintain the quality of the materials, resisting damage. At this time, professionals will also apply any necessary coatings to better protect your shingles from moisture and other natural damages and look for any damaged shingles that need repairing.
Cedar roofing, whether shakes or shingles, requires some TLC to keep it in exceptional shape during the warmest weather. If your residence is fitted with this type of roofing material, keep these five tips in mind for cedar roof protection during the hottest season of the year:
Tip 1: Visually Examine the Cedar Shakes or Shingles.
Take a little time to look at your cedar roof comprehensively. Are there any areas that seem to be discolored from the rest? This could be an indicator that the cedar or underlying felt has become moist, and mildew is creeping onto the wood. Without intervention, you could risk losing some of your roof due to inadequate protection and mold. Remember that cedar roofs do change color over time, weathering occurs, so don’t be alarmed at consistent, natural changes in the roof’s hue.
Tip 2: Get a Pro to Take the Inspection a Step Further
You can only see so much without getting onto your roof and conducting a thorough examination. A professional cedar roof maintenance provider has a much deeper understanding of what to look for in terms of possible problems. They will investigate all the cedar shingles or shakes for signs of damage or unexpected wear and tear. Then, they can share their findings and recommendations with you. This helps you avoid the need to make costlier repairs in the future.
Tip 3: Have Your Cedar Roof Properly Cleaned
A good cleaning can make all the difference in the way your cedar roof functions and appears. Plan for this kind of cedar roof maintenance every 3-5 years. During the cleaning process, a cedar roof expert will be able to make sure all the cedar is breathing well and is resisting the problems associated with dampness.
Tip 4: Not Sure When Your Cedar Roof Was Last Checked? Call a Professional Now.
Did you buy a lovely new home with a cedar roof? Unless you were given specifics on when the roof was last inspected, you may not have a reasonable indication of whether the previous homeowner knew how to maintain a cedar roof. Contact your local professional cedar roof company so you can get a better understanding of the true health of your investment.
Tip 5: Get Your Cedar Roof Maintenance Done Sooner Rather Than Later
It can be tempting to put off cedar roof maintenance appointments, but it’s never a wise idea. Instead, schedule your home’s summer examination as soon as possible. Why wait? If something needs to be repaired, the sooner you do it, the more peace of mind you’ll have going into the autumn months.
Spruce Up Your Home With Cedar Roof Coatings
At Cedar Roof Coatings, we’re dedicated to offering residents throughout Fairfield County, CT, Westchester Count, NY and surrounding areas the highest quality cedar roofing services. For over 35 years, we’ve been committed to creating lasting, trusted relationships with our customers and providing personalized roofing solutions with quality cedar products.
Learn more about the benefits of cedar roofs for hot weather and schedule summer maintenance by calling us at 203-847-5740 or filling out our online contact form today.