Spots on Shakes

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by krigler

Thanks for the link Jeffrey. I always read that wood roofs need maintenance but most of the time they don't provide what that maintenance should entail. It was also nice to read a source that stated wood roofs don't last that long...8 to 25 years. For whatever reason people seem to think wood roofs should last for 40 years. And I agree, it doesn't appear this roof has had any maintenance.

Kenny, I've seen wood roofs in Denver that were 65 years old.


Shake lifespan depends on a number of things.

• the quality of shakes
• installation quality
• climate zone
• roof pitch
• direction of orientation
• shake treatement
• quality of maintenance
• Location of the home

and more. There's no simple, single answer.
If it were moss, you'd see moss, it doesn't disappear seasonally.