What is Cedar Breather®? Cedar Breather is a fire-resistant underlayment for wood shingles and shakes
that provides space for a continuous airflow between the solid roof deck and the
shingles and shakes. Why use Cedar Breather? Excess moisture in cedar shakes and shingles causes cupping, warping and
potential rotting. The unique design of Cedar Breather addresses all three issues by providing a continuous airspace between the solid roof deck and the shingles, thereby enhancing the long term service life of the entire roof assembly. What is the difference between Cedar Breather and Home Slicker? Home Slicker is specifically designed for sidewall applications. Its vertical channels are designed for optimal drainage and drying.
Cedar Breather is designed for roof assemblies and specifically used under cedar shingles and shakes. The matrix is conical in shape to promote air circulation and optimize drying needed to prolong the life of cedar shakes and shingles. Why are there different applications for shingles and shakes? Shingles lay smoothly together, fit tight and do not allow gaps between layers. It is not necessary to interleave felt. Shakes, due to their difference in thickness, leave gaps between layers. To be sure water and snow will not get into open areas, it is recommended to interleave #30 felt between layers. Can Cedar Breather be applied over asphalt shingles? Only if the shingles are in good condition and lay smooth. However, the best application is to follow instructions on the roll (cover decking with felt, staple Cedar Breather and then apply shingles). Can Cedar Breather be applied under asphalt shingles to ventilate decking? No. Cedar Breather, when applied under asphalt or fiberglass shingles, will cause the shingles to crack when walked on due to its compression-ability. What is the minimum pitch that Cedar Breather can be applied? 3/12 is the minimum pitch at which Cedar Breather can be applied. Is it necessary to use a drip edge and/or rake edge? Yes. Drip edge and rake edge will help to kick the water away from the fascia into gutter. This is important since water running off cedar turns black and stains. (On applications without gutters and/or the soffits are narrow, it is more of an issue.) Should Cedar Breather be installed with a screen to prevent insect infiltration? If you are building in an area where insect infiltration is a concern, it is recommended that a 6 inch piece of screening be installed on the lower edge of the Cedar Breather above the fascia. The screen should not have holes any larger than 1/8 inch for optimum protection. What type of nail should be used when installing cedar shakes or shingles? Stainless steel nails are the best choice. High tensile strength aluminum is acceptable if the edging and gutters are also aluminum. Do not mix metals (copper, galvanized or aluminum) as doing so may cause corrosion. Galvanized or copper may result in discoloration and streaking. What length nail should be used when applying Cedar Breather with shingles or shakes? It depends on the thickness of the shingle. Use a nail that will allow for ¾ inch penetration into sheathing (.27 inches for Cedar Breather thickness). What is the fire rating for Cedar Breather? Cedar Breather has a class A fire rating. |
