At what age should I start preserving my roof?
The Cedar Roof Company recommends preservation after 12 to 18 months of product installation. This “waiting period” required for newly installed cedar roofs is very important. It provides the new cedar time to weather and effectively absorb the protective treatment.
A Preservation treatment applied immediately after installation does not allow sufficient penetration of the treatment and can result in a “blotchy” appearance in as little as two to three years. By starting maintenance this early, not only is the cedar roof protected while in prime condition, but you can save money on the Cleaning stage. Generally speaking the sooner preservation takes place in the life of your cedar roof the longer you can expect it to last.
Is it too late for me to preserve my roof?
Even an older roof which has lost its visual appeal may have years of service left in it. Instead, most cedar roofs are replaced because they have lost their aesthetic value and not because of their functionality.
Cupping and curling are two major issues in older, primarily unprotected or poorly install cedar roofs. Cupping and curling are caused by numerous factors, including UV damage and moisture, and are typically more prevalent on the southern facing roof facets. Direct sunlight is the biggest enemy of all roofing materials. This damage is also caused by poor quality cedar, poor quality installation and a lack of ventilation in your roof structure. Once the cedar has curled there is nothing that can be done to reverse it.
At this point, we may recommend the roof be cleaned and preserved. This will block out the harmful UV rays and repel moisture. Once protected, the cedar will not expand and contract as much, limiting the amount of ongoing degradation.
Brian’s (Preservation) Conversations
The Cedar Roof Company began as a partnership between Brian Pott and a college friend, who recognized a need in the cedar roof market that was going unaddressed. While working with a company that specialized in the installation and restoration of wood siding, they noticed that while cedar shingle and shake roofs needed the same professional care of preservation, there were no companies offering this service. The two young men combined their knowledge of wood preservation with additional research on materials and processes, and developed the region’s first solution for the preservation of cedar roofs.In their first summer of business, they completed just eight roof preservations. Today, the Cedar Roof Company serves approximately 300 new customers every year, while retaining its faithful past customers.
