Displaying items by tag: cedar roof

Cedar shakes on mansard roof in Toronto

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:42:47 +0000

We recently installed new handsplit medium resawn cedar shakes on a mansard roof in Deer Park, Toronto. The project also included the installation of our two ply modified flat roofing system and a new skylight.

The existing cedar shakes around the mansard roof below the flat roof were in poor condition, resulting in leaks on the rear mansard. Our client decided to have new cedar shakes installed on the mansard in addition to the installation of our two ply modified flat roofing system.

The cedar shakes installed were Western Cedar handsplit medium resawn shakes of premium grade. The Premium grade is 100% clear and 100% heartwood with a 100% edge grain. These shakes have split faces and sawn backs. Cedar shakes are manufactured by cutting back cedar logs into desired lengths. Blanks or boards of proper thickness are split and then run diagonally through a bandsaw to produce two tapered shakes from each blank. This shake is produced with both faces sawn. It gives the neat, tailored look of a shingle but with the rugged shadow line of a shake, caused by the thicker butt.

The cedar shakes were installed with ice and water shield underlayment along with all new metal flashing on the ledge and the small parapet around the flat roof. The cedar shakes were tied in with the existing cedar on the neighbour’s adjacent roof. For more examples of our cedar shakes and shingles projects please visit our cedar shakes and shingles blog category and our portfolio.

Please scroll down for image gallery of the project.

Toronto cedar shingles mansard roof

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 21:36:11 +0000

We recently installed cedar shingles on a mansard roof in Lawrence Park, Toronto. The video slideshow showcases the impressive improvement in the semi-detached homes exterior appearance due to the cedar shingles.

A client had initially contacted us with intentions to replace the shingle portion of her roof. But upon further discussion with the client we learned she and her neighbour were considering remodelling the exterior of their homes, so we suggested they have us install cedar shingles on the mansard. Installing the cedar shingles on just the mansard portion is a lot more cost effective, yet drastically improves the home's exterior appearance. The clients then requested we build a triangular design around the top of the mansard which we built from wood beams. The wood beams will eventually be painted white to match the all new white metal work we installed which included new fascia, soffits and metal capping around the windows. For the sloped sections of the roof we installed the Certainteed Landmark asphalt shingle in georgetown gray. The newly completed roofing project definitely adds character to both the clients homes and the neighbourhood and draws much attention from neighbourhood residents. We are glad our client is extremely pleased with the result of our suggestions. Below is a photo gallery of the project.

Toronto asphalt shingles, cedar mansard and slate roof featured in Globe and Mail

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:48:33 +0000

Not long ago in the Friday, February 19, 2010 edition of the Globe and Mail’s Real Estate section the home of a past client was featured as the Resale Homes: Home of the Week represented by our friend Richard Silver of Bosley Real Estate. Last summer M&R Roofing completed various roofing work at the Edwardian home on 52 Amelia Street in Cabbagetown.

The large detached home required a complete replacement of the main roof for which our clients decided to go with the Certainteed Landmark 30 year shingle in Colonial Slate colour. This colour of shingle was the best match for the slate tiles we placed on the front porch. The rear two-car garage roof was replaced with matching Colonial Slate shingles. To add character to the front of the home we replaced the front porch with 10 x 20 inch unfading black slate tiles and finished all metal work in copper. The original cedar shingles on the front mansard were splitting and falling off and the fascia was rotten. We recommended our clients replace this front mansard with new cedar shingles which would both rejuvenate the front of the house and keep with the original design. Given the front mansard accounts for a large section of the front of the house, the new cedar definitely added a bold and refreshing look to our clients home.

Two rooms facing the rear of the home also featured 2 x 4 foot skylights which we believed were too small given the size of the rooms. Since the skylights were in need of replacing our clients decided to go with the Velux 4 x 4 foot electric venting curb mount skylights (VCE) with remote controls and black out blinds. The black out blinds were also remote controlled and allowed our clients to easily block out all of the city’s bright lights in their bedrooms during the night. To appropriately install these skylights we had to laminate the rafters around the skylights as shown in the image gallery below.

The new cedar shingles and slate tiles work on the front of the home adds character to the Cabbagetown home and neighbourhood and demands attention from people strolling down Amelia Street. It is a great example of how the presentation of a home can be improved without replacing the entire roof with slate tiles or cedar shingles. To view the Globe and Mail article in full view select the article in the image gallery.