By: Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
The wood shakes on my roof are about 12 years old. Most seem to be in good condition, but some have curled. What causes this to occur with some shakes, while others remain flat? -- James
Dear James,
Shakes are manufactured by splitting the wood with the grain. This is why shakes come in irregular shapes, rather than being uniformly matched, like shingles. Owing to these irregularities in thickness, and to variations in grain patterns, not all shakes respond the same to weathering and to heat and moisture changes. Just as some wood beams will twist and crack as they become dry, while others remain straight, likewise, some shakes alter their shapes in response to environmental changes, while others do not.
As your roof becomes older, replacement of some shakes will become necessary every few years. Not only do some shakes curl, but many split or wear through, exposing the tarpaper underlayment and eventually causing leaks. Therefore, it is recommended that you have your roof evaluated and tuned up every three to five years.
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