[MassHistPres] Help with cedar shingle roof

[jade]

i will admit to being rather confused at various times...i was assuming that the plywood was in place so my suggestion was from that vantage point...skip sheathing would be the best practice especially if the interior is left unfinished...if it's finished, i would think that a thin breather would be a good choice (if the deck is indeed plywood)...my parenthetical warning about the strapping suggested that that was not the best route...

the last time i installed a cedar shingled roof was 12 years ago...perhaps it may be best for me to stick to windows!  thanks for your clarification westmill....

jade mortimer
heartwood window restoration
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: WestmillPres at aol.com 
  To: jade at crocker.com ; kcthreads at earthlink.net ; Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us ; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
  Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 7:20 AM
  Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Help with cedar shingle roof


  K.C. Gray, Stowe: I think the window advertiser was confused. You are correct that felt paper over plywood will not allow the roof to breathe, and will dramatically shorten the life of a cedar roof. The relatively new cedar breather is installed to negate this problem. Historically, at least in my training and experience, a wooden shingle roof was laid dry over skip sheathing, meaning the roof boards had gaps between them that allowed for ventilation of the system. Flashing may or may not have been used at the eaves and rakes. Hips, as well as the ridge line were woven by alternating the finish cuts at the ridge, and tapering the length of the shingles at the hip, thus eliminating the need for hip and ridge boards that are both ugly, historically incorrect, and seem to usually rot and fail before the life of the roof. This is what was used at Mt. Vernon, and Stratford Hall to name a few - no plywood, no felt paper, no cedar breather, but a triple exposure shingle roof over skip sheathing, with flashing at eaves and rakes, and woven hips and ridges. Hope this helps. MC, Halifax

  In a message dated 6/17/2009 10:51:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jade at crocker.com writes:
    30# felt over the entire roof and  at least 3 feet of ice and water barrier around the perimeter and projections...over that, add a layer of 'breather' or strapping to allow for ventilation...(strapping may require adding trim piece at the rake and fascia)...

    i would say you are not out of your mind....
    ...jade mortimer
    heartwood window restoration
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Karen C. Gray 
      To: Skelly, Christopher @ SEC ; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
      Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 10:21 PM
      Subject: [MassHistPres] Help with cedar shingle roof


      My impression of how a wood shingle roof was done in the " olden times" does not hold any water with our local authorities.  The building in question has a failing wood shingle roof  (and  is never heated) so in replacement, putting the shingles on a layer of roofer's felt over plywood seems to me like it would decrease the longevity of the roof.  What experience have people had?  Am I out of my mind?

      K.C. Gray
      Stow



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