The Look of a Wood Shake Roof with the Performance of Asphalt Shingles

Summary

Premium asphalt shingles, such as Owens Corning® Woodcrest® and Woodmoor®, deliver the dimensional, rustic look of traditional wood shake with low cost and maintenance. They provide rich color blends, thicker profiles for shadowed texture, and design flexibility to complement various home styles. Unlike wood shake shingles, which require frequent upkeep and pose moisture, biological growth, and fire risks, these shingles add certain protections like StreakGuard® algae resistance and UV-resistant granules, and carry Class A fire and Class F wind ratings with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Homeowners can explore and visualize options online to achieve a wood-shake aesthetic with modern asphalt performance.

In the late 1800s, homes along the northern coastlines featured wood shake shingles. The large amount of timber in New England and the Pacific Northwest helped make the wood shake roof style a popular choice. Today, premium asphalt shingles can offer the look and appeal of traditional wood shake roofs with less upkeep and maintenance requirements.

Wood shake shingles made from split logs have a rustic aesthetic that appeals to homeowners who love the aged, comfortable feel of natural wood. You can get that same aesthetic without the rigorous upkeep traditional wood shake shingles require. Owens Corning®  Woodcrest® and Woodmoor®  Shingles mimic the wood shake roof with less maintenance, more color variety, and enhanced durability.

Why Roof Design Matters

The roof, which makes up a large portion of your home's exterior, is often the anchor for exterior design schemes. Its color and style help build your home's personality. By matching shingle color and shape with your home's other exterior elements, such as wood trim and stone accents, you can create a rustic aesthetic -- but the possibilities are endless.

PRO TIP: Browse the Signature Collection Boards to find a style you love!

Designed for Distinction

The beauty and unique appeal of Owens Corning®  Woodcrest®  and Woodmoor®  shingles are easy to see at a quick glance. Whether you have a two-sloped gable roof or a jumble of dormers, valleys, and peaks, the natural, rugged design can transform your home, giving it character and ambience.

Texture, Color, and Craftsmanship

Shingles with three-dimensional patterns and defined shadow lines create a striking roofline. Woodcrest® shingles offer the beauty of a rugged wood shake design in a durable asphalt shingle package. Woodmoor® shingles are slightly heavier and thicker, resulting in a more rugged appearance with even deeper dimensional effects and a wood shake aesthetic.

Both options are available in a variety of rich color blends, from warm browns that simulate cedar and other woods to slate-like grays. The thickness and unique pattern layers make these premium shingles a stand-out option against other roofing materials.

The Challenges of Traditional Wood Shake Roofing

Modern homeowners often desire the appearance of wood shake shingles while also needing the performance of asphalt shingles. Wood shake roofs demand consistent upkeep to prevent typical wear caused by:

• Elements Affecting Wood: When exposed to water, wood expands; it contracts when it dries, which can result in warping and cracking. Sunlight can fade and weaken wood. Rain and airborne particles carried by the wind can wear down the surface of wooden shingles.
• Moss and lichens: These plants and organisms thrive on wooden surfaces, absorbing moisture and speeding up decay.
• Fungi: Wind-blown spores from various fungi can cause wood to rot and permanently discolor shingles.

Wood shake shingles present a fire risk. Insurance companies and homeowners worry about the threat of wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires, particularly in places like California. As a result, many home insurance policies impose restrictions on roofing materials. Wood shake shingles do not have a Class A fire-resistance rating.

More Affordable, Easier to Maintain

In addition to costing less at initial installation than wood shake shingles, asphalt roof shingles continue to deliver with long-term advantages.

Cost Comparison: Wood Shake vs. Asphalt

The price of wood shake shingles can be nearly triple that of asphalt dimensional shingles. This varies based on the wood type, grade, and where you live. Also, installing wood shake shingles tends to be pricier because of factors like:

• Weight and maneuverability
• Roof deck preparation
• Workmanship and installation requirements

Long-Term Benefits of Low-Maintenance Roofing

After installing a wood shake roof, expenses continue. You must apply sealants, fire retardants, and antifungal solutions regularly. These will involve costs for both materials and labor.

While every roof needs seasonal care and maintenance, shake-style asphalt shingles have built-in features to help prevent wear damage. Examples include StreakGuard® Algae Resistance Protection and UV-blocking granules, which also help to maintain your roof's beautiful color.

Wood Shake Style, Asphalt Performance: Woodcrest® and Woodmoor® Shingles

Owens Corning puts its quality and design skills into every shingle line and roofing component it makes. You can rely on Woodcrest® and Woodmoor® Shingles for both style and function.

With the help of StreakGuard® Algae Resistance Protection, your attractive wood shake-style shingles can stay looking great over time. The shingles contain copper granules that reduce algae growth, helping to keep those black streaks away.

Both Woodcrest® and Woodmoor® Shingles feature a 130-MPH Wind Resistance Limited Warranty^*, Class A Fire Resistance, and come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.^*/‡ They offer the rustic appearance you desire while meeting insurance criteria and giving you peace of mind.

Explore the Look You Love

If you want to see what your home might look like with shake-style asphalt shingles, visit Owens Corning's Design & Inspire pages. From style boards to color pairings, we help you discover and display your personality. Our online shingle gallery showcases our different shingle lines to help narrow down your favorite choices before consulting a contractor.

Ready to get started?

Explore our Wood Shake Styles at owenscorning.com/inspiredbynature

Question: How do Woodcrest® and Woodmoor® shingles achieve the look of traditional wood shake?
Answer: They use thicker profiles, layered patterns, and pronounced shadow lines to create a rugged, three-dimensional roofline that mimics split-wood texture. Both lines come in rich color blends—from cedar-like warm browns to slate-inspired grays—so you can match the rustic wood-shake aesthetic to a wide range of home styles and roof shapes.

Question: What’s the main difference between Woodcrest® and Woodmoor® Shingles?
Answer: Woodmoor® shingles are heavier and thicker than Woodcrest®, producing deeper dimensional effects and an even more pronounced wood-shake appearance. Both offer the same core benefits: StreakGuard^® algae resistance, UV-resistant granules to help preserve color, Class A fire resistance, MPH Wind Resistance Limited Warranty^*, and a Limited Lifetime Warranty^*/‡.

Question: Why choose asphalt shingles over real wood shake?
Answer: Premium asphalt shingles deliver the wood-shake look with lower cost and far less upkeep. Traditional wood shake swell, shrink, warp, crack, fade, and erode; they’re also prone to moss, lichens, and fungal rot, and they lack a Class A fire rating. Woodcrest® and Woodmoor® add protections like StreakGuard® algae resistance, UV-blocking granules, ASTM E108 & UL 790 Class A fire resistance, and ASTM D 3161 Class F wind resistance - helping meet insurance standards while reducing routine maintenance.

Question: How do costs compare between wood shake and asphalt shingles?
Answer: Wood shake materials can cost nearly three times as much as asphalt dimensional shingles, and installation is typically pricier due to roof deck prep needs, and more demanding workmanship. Ongoing expenses also add up for wood shakes (sealants, fire retardants, antifungal treatments). Asphalt shingles generally cost less upfront and continue to save money through lower maintenance.

Question: How can I explore styles and visualize these shingles on my home?
Answer: Visit the Owens Corning Design & Inspire pages to browse style boards, color pairings, and the shingle gallery. Use the Design EyeQ® Roof Visualizer to “try on” Woodcrest® or Woodmoor®  Shingles by uploading a photo of your home or choosing a sample home, then mix and match roofing colors with siding, trim, and door options. For quick inspiration, check the Signature Collection Boards.

* See actual warranty for complete details, limitations and requirements.

‡ 40-year Limited Warranty on commercial projects.