When it is time to replace your asphalt shingles, there is a lot of work that needs to be done and decisions to make. If you're considering trying a new roofing material, wood shakes are a great solution to replace the shingles. But before you install the wood shakes, there is work to be done to prepare your home and future maintenance tasks. The following roofing guide will help you understand the wood shakes installation and maintenance process:

1. Remove the Existing Shingles and Preparing Your Roof 

There are the shingles that need to be removed from your roof before the new shakes can be installed. After the old roofing has been removed, you will be ready to repair the decking and prepare for the installation of shakes. If you are going to install the shakes on slats, they should be installed at this stage of the process.

2. Install the Wood Shake Materials and Let Them Cure

After you have repaired the decking and installed slats if needed, you will be ready for the shakes to be installed on your home. The shakes should be installed with a strip of moisture barrier at each run. This will help to prevent moisture problems due to condensation and prevent rot.

3. Seal and Stain the Wood Shakes

The shakes on the roof of your home will need enough time to cure after installation. Once they have had enough time to dry and adjust to the roof, you will be ready to seal them. You want to make sure that you use a special sealant and stain that is designed for wood roofing materials to protect the roof of your home from wear and serious damage.

4. Learn How to Maintain New Shake Roof

Once you have stained the surface of your roof, you will need to care for the shakes as they age. The main task that needs to be done is keeping the roof clean and free of debris. Occasionally, you may want to pressure wash the roof carefully and apply a new coat of sealant as needed. 

These are some of the things that need to be done to replace your asphalt shingles with wood shakes and care for them after installation. If you are ready to replace old shingles with new shake materials, contact a residential roofing contractor and talk to them about the new roofing for your home.