Handsplit Shakes
Grades Premium Grade | Selects | Number 1 Grade
Lengths 18" | 24"
Thickness 1/2" (medium) | 3/4" (heavy) | 1" + (jumbo)
Width 4" to 14"
Roof 7 1/2" (18") | 10" (24")
Exposure
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
These shakes have split faces and sawn backs. Cedar logs are first cut into desired block lengths and then made into blanks. These blanks or boards of proper thickness are then split and run diagonally through a bandsaw to produce two tapered shakes from each blank. This gives the roof a more rustic appearance than a tapersawn or a shingle.
An 18″ Shake can be manufactured as a "cut for" or a "cut back". An 18″ cut back starts off as a 24″ but when the blank is cut diagonally into two shakes and the tip of one of them gets blown out, it is put aside and then the tip is sawn off (cut back) down to an 18″ shake. Since the tip end of a cut back shake is thicker than a typical shake it makes an even stronger roof but is slightly more difficult to apply and provides a rougher look.
A select is a number one grade shake that has 70% or more two pack, meaning there is a greater number of wider shakes. These are easier to apply and a lot of customers like the look of wider shakes.