What is the Difference Between Shakes and Shingles?

Answer by  Rinda (121)

Shingle denotes roofing of small rectangular pieces of either asphalt or fiberglass, while shakes are a roof covering made of split wood, often cedar.

Answer by  arcitec (78)

Shakes are applied on the exterior wall (vertical portion) of the house, directly over sheathing and a weather barrier. The shakes are typically made of cedar, although fiber cement is also available. Shingles are applied on the roof (horizontal surface), and are made from a variety of materials.

Answer by  augustin (7)

Shakes are roofing material made of wood. It gives home a natural appearance. Shingles are made of asphalt. Shingles last for many years. It is very costly.

Answer by  Balthasar (24)

A shingle is used for covering the roof of a house and are typically made out of wood, slate, cement(usually contains asbestos), asphalt, or ceramic. Wooden and asphalt shingles often pose a fire hazard. Shakes however are a special type of shingle that is made out of split wood. As such they do not have perfectly uniform shapes.

Answer by  Liz59 (10966)

There is virtually no difference. A shake is basically a shingle that is split in half. Whoever says there is a difference does not know that they are just interchangeable terms.

Answer by  jer (61)

When describing the differance between shakes and shingles one must know that one is a roofing product the other is not. Shingles are used on the roof to protect the stucture from rain. Shakes are used for siding on a structrue.

Answer by  champaign9497 (11977)

Shakes are a cedar shingle and a shingle is a tasrpaper stone mix that comes in a twelve by twenty four inch sheet and that is the only difference between the two.

Answer by  Olive (1195)

These are roofing terms. A shingle is sawn on both sides while a shingle is split on one or both sides, although there are some exceptions-as the tapersawn shake.