Meta description: Learn what the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau does, how its Certi-Label program identifies cedar roofing products, and what homeowners should know about installation and maintenance.
The phrase “Shake and Shingle Bureau” usually refers to the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau (CSSB), a trade association connected with cedar roofing products. For homeowners, builders, and contractors, the bureau’s most practical role is helping identify products that meet its grading and certification requirements. Understanding what those labels mean—and what they do not guarantee—can make it easier to compare cedar roofs, evaluate bids, and plan for upkeep.
What Is the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau?
The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau is a trade organization for the cedar shake and shingle industry. It provides product information and promotes standards for cedar roofing and siding. Its programs are especially relevant to people researching Western Red Cedar products, a widely used material for wood roofing in North America.
The bureau is not a government building department or a substitute for local code officials. Its published standards and product certification can help buyers assess materials, but local building codes, permit requirements, and project specifications still govern a particular installation. Homeowners should confirm requirements with their building department and contractor.
One of the bureau’s best-known offerings is the Certi-Label program. A Certi-Label stamp or tag identifies eligible products that have been manufactured and inspected under the program’s requirements. Buyers can use the label as a starting point for checking product type, grade, and other identifying details. The exact information shown can vary by product and packaging.
What the Certi-Label Means
Certi-Label is a product-identification and quality-control program, not a promise that every roof will perform the same way. Roof performance depends on more than the wood itself. Design, ventilation, installation, climate exposure, maintenance, and workmanship all matter.
When reviewing a label, package, or product documentation, look for the product’s species, grade, dimensions, and applicable certification details. Ask the supplier or manufacturer to explain any codes that are unclear. Keep product paperwork with the contract and warranty documents so it is available if questions arise later.
Certification does not automatically mean a product is suitable for every roof. A product may not meet a local fire requirement, wind design, or other code provision for a particular project. The building official and project designer should confirm that the specified product and assembly are permitted for the building’s location and use.
Cedar Shakes and Cedar Shingles: Key Differences
Cedar shakes and shingles are both wood roofing products, but they are made differently and typically have distinct appearances. A cedar shingle is sawn, producing a relatively smooth, uniform surface. A shake is generally split from a bolt of wood and may then be resawn on one or both sides, giving it a more textured or substantial look. Manufacturing details vary by product.
| Feature | Cedar shingles | Cedar shakes |
|---|---|---|
| Typical appearance | More uniform and smooth | More textured and rustic |
| Manufacturing | Generally sawn | Generally split, sometimes resawn |
| Common use | Roofing and siding, depending on grade and specification | Roofing and siding, depending on grade and specification |
| Installation needs | Must follow product instructions and local code | Must follow product instructions and local code |
Neither category is inherently the right choice for every home. Appearance, roof pitch, exposure to weather, building style, local code, and budget should all inform the selection. The specified product’s grade and installation instructions matter as much as the broad label “shake” or “shingle.”
Grades, Exposure, and Product Selection
Wood roofing is sold in different grades and product specifications. Grade refers to defined characteristics of the material; it should not be treated as a general rating of how attractive a roof will look or how long it will last. Buyers should review the applicable grading rules and product documentation rather than relying on a sales description alone.
Exposure is the portion of each course left visible after installation. It affects the roof’s appearance and the amount of material covering the roof. The permitted exposure depends on the product, roof pitch, and manufacturer or industry instructions. Excessive exposure can reduce the intended protection, while improper spacing or fastening can create other problems.
Before signing a contract, homeowners can ask for the product’s full name, grade, dimensions, installation method, and certification information in writing. The bid should also state whether underlayment, flashings, ventilation work, tear-off, disposal, and any required fire treatment are included.
Installation and Building-Code Considerations
Cedar roofing is a system, not simply a layer of wood pieces. Correct installation includes appropriate roof-deck preparation, underlayment where required, spacing, fastening, flashing, and ventilation. Requirements can vary by product, roof geometry, climate, and jurisdiction. Product instructions and the locally adopted building code should be checked before work begins.
Roof pitch is particularly important. Some products and assemblies have minimum slope requirements, and a low-slope roof may need a different roofing system. Valleys, ridges, hips, chimneys, skylights, and roof-wall intersections also require careful detailing to manage water. A qualified contractor should explain how these areas will be built and which materials will be used.
Wind, snow, and fire requirements differ across the United States. Some jurisdictions restrict untreated wood roofing or require a listed fire-retardant product or particular assembly. A fire-retardant treatment does not make a roof fireproof, and its approval and maintenance conditions may be specific to the product. Buyers should verify compliance with the local building department, insurer, and product documentation rather than assuming a label satisfies all rules.
Durability, Weathering, and Maintenance
Cedar is a natural material, so its color and surface change with exposure to sunlight and moisture. Weathering is normal, but persistent dampness, poor drainage, debris accumulation, or inadequate ventilation can contribute to premature deterioration. Roofs in humid, heavily shaded, coastal, or high-wind locations may face different maintenance needs from roofs in drier settings.
Periodic inspections can identify missing or damaged pieces, debris, clogged gutters, failing flashings, or signs of moisture problems. Inspections are especially useful after severe storms and when a roof is accessible for other exterior work. Walking on a cedar roof can damage it and create a fall hazard, so inspection and repair are best handled by trained professionals using appropriate safety practices.
Cleaning or treating a roof should follow the product manufacturer’s guidance and local rules. Aggressive pressure washing, unapproved coatings, or chemical treatments may damage wood, affect warranties, or alter fire performance. Moss or algae should not be removed with a method that strips or fractures the roofing material. A contractor should identify the cause of recurring growth, such as shade or moisture retention, before recommending a remedy.
Cost and Project Planning
Cedar roof pricing varies substantially by region and project. Material grade, roof complexity, access, labor rates, tear-off needs, disposal, underlayment, flashing, ventilation upgrades, and code-required treatments all affect the estimate. A steep roof with many dormers and valleys generally requires more labor than a simple roof of comparable area.
Comparing bids requires more than looking at the bottom line. Each proposal should specify the product and grade, installation approach, included accessories, cleanup, permit responsibilities, and warranty terms. Homeowners can ask whether the contractor has experience with the exact product and whether the proposed assembly has been accepted by the local jurisdiction.
Maintenance and eventual replacement are also part of the long-term cost. No single lifespan applies to all cedar roofs: climate, exposure, product, installation quality, ventilation, and upkeep influence service life. Be cautious of precise longevity claims that do not account for these conditions. Written manufacturer and contractor warranties should be reviewed for coverage, exclusions, and required maintenance.
How to Check a Contractor’s Proposal
- Identify the product: Confirm whether the proposal specifies cedar shakes or shingles, along with grade, size, and certification details.
- Confirm code compliance: Ask how the product and roof assembly meet local requirements, including applicable fire and wind provisions.
- Review installation details: Check the planned underlayment, fastening, exposure, ventilation, flashing, and treatment requirements against product instructions.
- Compare complete costs: Make sure tear-off, disposal, permits, accessories, and repairs to the roof deck are clearly addressed.
- Get terms in writing: Review payment schedule, workmanship coverage, manufacturer warranty, and maintenance obligations.
Homeowners should also verify that the contractor is properly licensed where required and carries appropriate insurance. Local consumer-protection agencies, building departments, and references from recent projects can help with due diligence. Certification of roofing material does not certify the installer or guarantee workmanship.
Where to Find Reliable Product Information
The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau’s official website, cedarbureau.org, is the primary source for its program and product resources. Buyers should consult the specific manufacturer’s installation instructions and warranty as well. For code questions, the local building department is the authority on what is allowed in a particular jurisdiction.
For broader building guidance, the International Code Council publishes model codes that jurisdictions may adopt or amend. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides information on safe practices for certain home-improvement projects, while state and local agencies can explain permit and contractor rules. These sources serve different purposes; none should replace the product-specific instructions required for a roofing installation.
Making an Informed Choice
The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau is most useful as a resource for understanding certified cedar products and industry standards. A Certi-Label can help buyers identify eligible material, but it is only one part of evaluating a roof. Product specifications, local code approval, contractor expertise, and installation quality all affect the result.
A careful selection process starts with a clear written specification and continues through permitting, installation, and maintenance. By checking the label, asking focused questions, and confirming requirements with the appropriate local authorities, homeowners can make a more informed decision about cedar shakes or shingles for their property.