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
