Wood shakes and shingles have
been a staple of North American
construction for centuries. American
colonists used handsplit white pine
and white cedar shakes to roof and
side their buildings, and the Indians
of the Pacific Northwest used red
cedar to build dugout canoes and side
their houses.
Wood shakes and shingles are still
a building material of choice. They
are lightweight and extremely
durable, so they are easy to handle
and suitable for reroofing over existing
shingles. Wood roofs also help to
keep a house cool in the summertime,
although this is less important
these days with improved ventilation
and insulation practices. Moreover,
shakes and shingles can withstand
high winds and hailstorms better
than most other roof coverings. They
also add