Wooden shakes and shingles are two popular choices for building materials, and although both can be made from the same log, shakes and shingles are hardly the same thing. For example, shakes are generally installed as a siding facade, while most contractors install shingles on a roof. However, the installation is not the only difference between wood shakes and shingles.

    Today, we will discuss what shakes and shingles are, how they differ, and the typical use for each material.


    What Is a Wood Shake?

    Wood shakes are tapered slabs of wood, normally made from rot-resistant logs such as cedar or poplar, used to protect the exterior of a structure from water and damage.

    In most cases, wood shakes provide siding, with each shake overlapping the one below it to form a barrier against weather and impacts. However, in rare cases, wood shakes can also be used on roofs.

    The texture of shakes can vary, with some wood shake shingle roofs having a natural texture on one side and a smooth texture on the other. It’s also common to modify shakes to fit a particular location, such as notching around an obstacle.

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    Wood shakes should always be installed with corrosion-resistant fasteners and finished with some sealer to protect against rot and degradation over time. Using the proper installation techniques and maintenance can help wood shake sidings last upwards of 50 years.


    What Is a Wood Shingle?

    Wood shingles are also slabs of wood, usually made from naturally rot-resistant logs such as cedar. However, wood shingles are usually thinner than wood shakes and are generally smooth on both sides.

    Wooden shingles are milled from a log and tapered to direct rain and snow downward, away from the roof decking. The tapered design overlaps successive rows installed up the roof. As with shakes, DIYers must install wood shingles with corrosion-resistant fasteners, such as hot-dipped galvanized nails or stainless steel staples. These fasteners hold the shingles tightly to the roof deck.

    Proper shingle installation requires each shingle to overlap the fasteners of the course below it so no metal shows. Then, the method above overlaps the shingle’s top to shed water down the roof.

    For more on what shingles are, check out our informative guide on roof shingles.

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    Key Differences Between Shakes And Shingles

    There are several important differences between wooden shakes and shingles, including but not limited to the following:

    • Thickness: Shakes are thicker, usually ½ inch to 1 inch thick. Shingles are usually ¼ to ⅜ inches. The extra thickness gives shakes more durability.
    • Texture: Shakes usually have a rough, natural texture on one side. Shingles are smooth on both sides for tight overlapping on roofs.
    • Tapered Design: Shingles have a tight taper to overlap smoothly and shed water. Shake tapers can vary.
    • Installation: Roofers usually use shakes for siding and shingles for rooftops. The shingle’s tapered design allows for tight overlapping rows.

    Are Shakes and Shingles Interchangeable?

    In most applications, wood shakes should not substitute wood shingles and vice versa.

    Because the two products’ thicknesses and shapes usually differ, one should not repair the other. For example, if a shingle replaced a shake, the thickness difference could allow water under adjacent shingles, causing leaks.

    Shakes and shingles typically have different applications: shakes are for durable siding, and shingles are for smooth water shedding on roofs. Interchanging them can cause poor performance if you don’t compensate for different installation techniques. For example, you can install a wood shake roof, but the process will be different than with wooden shingles.

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    If you were to replace a shingle with a shake, the resulting difference in thickness would likely allow water to get under the adjacent shingles and cause water penetration.


    Using Wood Shakes as Roofing

    As a general rule, wood shakes should not substitute roof shingles because shakes often have a rough, natural texture on one side. If installed on a roof, the shake’s flat side would face the uneven side of the overlapping shake above, leaving open gaps and allowing water infiltration.

    Effective roof shingles need to lay flat to shed water downwards. Shingles’ tight taper and smooth sides allow for close overlapping without gaps. The shakes’ uneven texture makes them unsuitable for water-shedding roof coverings.

    So, while wood shakes make durable, rustic siding coverings, roof shingles have an engineered design that shakes cannot replicate.


    Using Wood Shingles as Siding

    While some regions use wood shingles as siding, professionals often advise against it because shingles lack shakes’ thickness and durability. On average, wood shake siding lasts 30 to 50 years, while shingle siding may show wear and deterioration after 10 to 15 years.

    However, certain shingle install techniques can improve durability:

    • Lap siding: shingles lapped horizontally with alternating butt joints
    • Double coverage: using two staggered shingle layers for extra thickness

    With proper installation, wood shingle siding can potentially last as long as wood shake siding facades. The longevity of your siding or your roof also depends on the types of shingles you’re using.

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    Can I Install Shakes or Shingles?

    The good news is that installing both shakes and shingles can be a DIY project with a few hand tools. If you have a hammer, utility knife, and straightedge, that’s all you need.

    Homeowners can also remove damaged shakes or shingles using a pry bar, tracing replacements, and then trimming and installing replacements onsite quite easily. With proper safety measures, the process is straightforward.

    However, inexperience can lead to mistakes that shorten the lifespan of larger siding or roofing jobs. Improper spacing, gaps, fastener corrosion, and other small errors add up. Hiring reputable contractors ensures the longest-lasting, best-performing exterior wood installation. Their experienced oversight is often worth the investment.

    Still, with care and effort, DIYers can install great-looking wood shake or shingle projects successfully with some guidance.


    So, Are Wood Shakes or Shingles Better?

    Whether shakes or shingles are “better” depends on your goals, as both have pros and cons.

    Shakes offer supreme durability and thickness, but they require more wood and have texture limits. Shingles lack shakes’ ruggedness but have an engineered smoothness and taper engineered for optimal roof water shedding.

    Neither is clearly better overall since they optimize different exterior applications. For rustic siding texture, wood shakes are superior with their dimensional thickness and natural edges that evolve. However, for roofing’s prime directive of water protection, carefully milled and tapered shingles have the advantage of their reliable shedding design.

    In general, choose shakes when durability and rustic aesthetics matter most, and pick shingles when longevity through water shedding is most important. Proper regional installation standards maximize the performance no matter what you choose. Understanding each material’s strengths and limits equips homeowners to select the perfect option.

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    FAQs About Wood Shakes Vs. Shingles

    Should I install wood shakes on my roof?

    You should not install wood shakes if you’re not a roofing professional. Shakes leave gaps between courses atop roofs, allowing leaks. Only smooth shingles engineered for consolidating precipitation runoff belong on your roof.


    How long do wood shakes and shingles last?

    With appropriate installation and treatment, shake siding can survive 30 to 50 years, thanks to its thick dimensions. Shingles only last around 10 to 15 years or less, given their thinner forms.


    What makes wood better than other sidings?

    Wood, when properly sealed, naturally resists rotting, burning, and pest destruction. Though shakes and shingles warrant occasional resealing, their eye-catching patterns are sure to impress while costing less than most vinyl and cement options over the long run.


    Should I install shakes and shingles solo or hire a professional?

    For small swapping jobs, you can repair most cuts and scrapes fairly simply with basic tools and precautions. However, big siding and roofing projects allow slight skill gaps to undermine your material’s life span greatly. In such cases, contracting experienced installers can be a huge benefit.


    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Mitchell Layton

    Mitchell Layton

    Mitchell Layton is a former professional mover who currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mitchell spent years packing and moving for REAL Rock N Roll Movers, a commercial and residential moving company based in Los Angeles that’s primarily staffed with up-and-coming musicians. That gave him plenty of experience navigating box trucks up and down the winding streets of LA. In addition to moving hundreds of happy customers into new homes and apartments all across Southern California, Mitchell has also performed corporate moves on company lots for Nickelodeon, Warner Bros, Universal Studios, Paramount, and more. After pouring blood, sweat, and tears into his profession, Mitchell has all the helpful tips you need for your next move.

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    Sabrina Lopez

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    Sabrina Lopez is a senior editor for Today’s Homeowner with over 7 years of writing and editing experience in digital media. She has reviewed content across categories that matter to homeowners, including HVAC services, home renovations, lawn and garden care, products for the home, and insurance services. When she’s not reviewing articles to make sure they are helpful, accessible, and engaging for homeowners like herself, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her family and their two parrots.

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