A roof properly constructed with white cedar shingles can give your home or building project an elegance unmatched by other conventional roofing materials. Wood shingles are typically more expensive than other materials, but they give your roof a texture and colour that you can't get in any other way. A properly constructed wood roof is also cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and will last nearly twice as long as conventional asphalt shingles.

White cedar shingles can be applied in many different ways on your roof, but there is one way that will give your new white cedar shingle roof the greatest durability and remain maintenance free for the longest period of time. This system, commonly referred to as “best practice,” is the preferred method of installation by many builders and building officials throughout North America.

Building standards or codes in many jurisdictions do not adequately cover cedar roof installations, therefore the “best practice” method is generally adopted in lieu of building code standards. If you are in doubt about the standards applied in your municipality, it is best to consult with your local building department before you begin.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, and not quite sure how to install your own white cedar shingle roof, it would be advisable to consult a qualified builder familiar with the “best practice” method before starting.