Thuja Plicata Western Red Cedar

Thuja Plicata Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar Leaf

Tugboat pushing cedar

Western red cedar in river

Western red cedar edge grain vs flat grain

Edge Grain vs Flat Grain

Western red cedar edge grain

Edge Grain

Western red cedar flat grain

Flat Grain

trimming off the sapwood of western red cedar

Trimming off the Sapwood

Cedar Shingle & Cedar Shake Guide

by John Reese on 7/2/09

Effective immediately, Reese now stocks Cedar Shakes in both the Premium Grade and #1 Grade. We will stock both grades in both medium thickness (1/2" minimum) and heavy thickness (3/4" minimum). See the below for a detailed description of Premium and #1 Grade.

We also now stock the #1 Grade of both thicknesses of Cedar Shakes already pressure treated with a CCA (chromated copper arsenate) preservative. This presevative inhibits the growth of moss, fungus and mildew and makes the wood less inviting to insects and vermin. We recommend the use of stainless steel nails for fastening CCA preserved cedar roofing products.

We will continue to stock Perfection (18") Cedar Shingles in both #1 and #2 grades, but we have discontinued the # 4 grade of cedar shingles. You can use the #2 grade of Cedar Shingles for starter shingles for untreated shakes. You should buy the treated #2 starter shingles for use with treated shakes.

We have both treated and untreated Hip & Ridge in stock.

NOTE: The CCA treatment will greatly enhance the life of the Cedar Shake Roof, but it IS NOT a fire treatment. Fire treated Cedar Shakes are special order only.

PRICING NOTE:

The Canadian dollar changes considerably when compared to the US Dollar. Generally speaking, as the Canadian dollar strengthens, Canadian exports (Cedar Shakes, for example, increase in cost.) Be very careful to get up-to date pricing when quoting Cedar Shakes or Shingles.

As always, the best thing to do is to visit the Reese Wholesale Cedar Shake pricing page for current, accurate pricing.

There are two grades of Handsplit and Resawn Cedar Shakes.

Premium Grade: Clear Heartwood, 100% Edge Grain
Number 1 Grade: Clear Heartwood, Maximum 20% Flat Grain

Reese stocks 24" shakes in both grades and two thicknesses:

Heavies have a 3/4" (19mm) minimum butt thickness
Mediums have a 1/2" (13mm) minimum butt thickness

We stock CCA presevative treated shakes in the Number 1 grade of both heavy and medium shakes.

There are four grades of Red Cedar Shingles.
(see pictures to the left)

  1. Blue Label: Clear Heartwood, 100% Edge Grain, No Defects.
  2. Red Label: Clear face from butt end (11" for 18" shingle), limited sapwood and flat grain, limited knots and defects above clear portion.
  3. Black Label: Clear face from butt end (6" for 18" shingle), limited sapwood and flat grain, limited knots and defects above clear portion.
  4. Undercoursing - Unsuitable for most exterior applications.

The term "Perfections" refers to red cedar shingles that are 18" long, and is not a reflection of quality. Perfection shingles are available in all four grades.

Reese stocks 18" #1 Blue Label Perfections Red Cedar Shingles and 18" #2 Red Label Perfections. We maintain a limited inventory of CCA treated Red Cedar Shingles. We do not stock #3 or #4 shingles.

View the pdf version of this document here:
"Cedar Shake & Cedar Shingle Guide" by John Reese