Cedar Shingles vs Shakes: What Is the Difference?

Cedar shingles and cedar shakes are often grouped together, but they are not interchangeable names for the same product. The way each piece is manufactured changes its texture, butt thickness, shadow line and the details an installer must follow.

The simple distinction: The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau’s product definitions provide a useful starting point: a cedar shingle is sawn on both faces and generally has a thinner, more uniform profile. A traditional shake is split on one or both faces and is typically thicker and more textured. Tapersawn shakes are an important exception: they are sawn on both sides but keep shake-like dimensions.

How cedar shingles are made

The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau states that shingles are always sawn on both sides from a cedar block. After sawing, the sides are trimmed to create square corners. The result is a tailored face and more consistent course lines—qualities that suit roofs and sidewalls where a refined pattern is the goal.

Common shingle names also indicate nominal length. The Bureau identifies Fivex shingles as 16 inches, Perfection shingles as 18 inches and Royal shingles as 24 inches. Length alone does not determine exposure or bundle coverage; those values depend on grade, roof slope, application and the manufacturer’s installation table.

How cedar shakes are made

Traditional shakes retain a split face, giving the material a deeper, more rustic texture. A common handsplit-and-resawn shake is split on the exposed face and sawn on the back. Tapersawn shakes are sawn on both faces but are thicker at the butt than typical shingles, so they produce a stronger shadow line.

The Bureau describes medium shakes as nominal 1/2 inch at the butt and heavy shakes as nominal 3/4 inch at the butt. Those labels are useful starting points, but the bundle label and product specification remain the authority for a particular order.

• Typical face — Cedar shingles: Sawn on both sides; Cedar shakes: Split on one or both sides

• Typical look — Cedar shingles: Tailored and uniform; Cedar shakes: Deeper texture and shadow

• Butt profile — Cedar shingles: Generally thinner; Cedar shakes: Generally thicker

• Important exception — Cedar shingles: —; Cedar shakes: Tapersawn shakes are sawn on both sides

• Common uses — Cedar shingles: Roofing and tailored sidewalls; Cedar shakes: Roofing or textured sidewalls

Which one belongs on a roof or sidewall?

Industry-wide, both product families can be used in roofing systems when the specific product is intended, graded, labelled and installed for that application. At QCP, our current cedar shingles are offered for roof projects, while the cedar shakes in our range are offered for cedar siding projects. Other shake products can be manufactured for roofing, but the application, grade, treatment, label and installation specification must be confirmed before ordering.

Do not select by appearance alone. Roof slope, local code, sheathing, underlayment or interlay, ventilation, fasteners, exposure and valley, hip and ridge details are part of a complete system. Use the product manufacturer’s instructions and the applicable Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau roof installation manual, then confirm the design with the local building authority and a qualified installer.

Grade, treatment and labels matter

Natural texture does not replace a grade specification. Ask which species, grade and manufacturing standard apply, whether the product is intended for roof or sidewall use, and whether preservative or fire-retardant treatment is required. The Bureau recommends looking for its Certi-label brands where that program is specified because participating mills are subject to third-party inspection.

We carry clear and knotty Western Red Cedar shingles for roof projects, along with cedar hip and ridge caps. We also carry cedar shakes for siding projects. Availability can vary, so send the application and desired appearance with your quote request rather than asking only for a bundle count.

Why bundle count cannot come first

Coverage changes with the installed exposure—the portion of each course left visible. Exposure is not a number to guess from a photo. It depends on the product, grade, roof slope and installation specification. Start with the measured roof or wall area, add hips, ridges, valleys and waste, and then use the coverage table for the selected product.

• Roof or sidewall application

• Measured field area plus hips, ridges and valleys

• Shingle, handsplit-and-resawn shake or tapersawn shake

• Species, grade and product label

• Nominal length and butt specification

• Required treatment or local fire classification

• Specified exposure and bundle coverage

• Matching hip and ridge units

• Delivery location and project timing

The right comparison starts with the project

Choose shingles when you want a finer, more uniform course pattern. Choose shakes when the design calls for more texture and a heavier shadow line—provided the selected product and assembly meet the project’s technical requirements.

Send the application, measurements and product specification when you request a quote.

Three common questions

Do cedar shakes always last longer than shingles?

No. The product name alone does not determine service life. The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau notes that shakes generally can last longer, but grade, treatment, installation, climate, roof design, maintenance and tree cover all matter. Compare the selected labelled product and complete system, not just the category name.

Can roofing shingles be used as siding?

They can, but the Bureau notes that sidewall-specific rebutted-and-rejointed products create a more tailored appearance. Confirm the intended application and installation details before ordering.

How many bundles do I need?

Use the coverage table for the selected product and exposure, then add the measured requirements for hips, ridges, valleys and project-specific waste. A generic bundles-per-square number can be wrong when the product or exposure changes.

Important: Before ordering: This guide explains product categories; it is not a roof or wall installation specification. Follow the selected manufacturer’s instructions, the applicable CSSB manual and local code. Have a qualified professional design and install the assembly.