Shake and Shingle Siding Creates Unique Curb Appeal

Don’t break tradition; take it to the next level. Shake and shingle siding has been a hallmark of home design for centuries. Originally crafted from wood, this style made its way to the United States from classic European architecture during the Colonial period.

However, as timeless as wooden siding may be, it’s not without its challenges. Wood is prone to weather-related damage, decay, and requires ongoing maintenance — everything from painting to replacing loose shingles.

Fortunately, homeowners today can achieve the same timeless look without the hassle of maintenance and repair by choosing synthetic shake and shingle siding. Synthetic shake and shingle, such as the shake and shingle collections from the Ply Gem portfolio of brands, offers the perfect combination of classic charm and easy maintenance. Keep reading to learn about the key advantages of synthetic shake and shingle and how it can be used to enhance curb appeal in a variety of home styles.

What are the benefits of synthetic shake and shingle over traditional wood?

Synthetic shake and shingle siding delivers the timeless wooden look you love — without the high maintenance costs. And shake and shingle from the Ply Gem portfolio of brands is molded from real wood, giving it a rich, realistic woodgrain texture. These synthetic shake and shingle options mimic freshly sawed cedar with deep grooves, random gaps and rough grain.

However, unlike real wood, the Ply Gem portfolio of brands offers shake and shingle siding collections made with injection-molded polypropylene. This advanced material offers greater resistance to wear and tear while significantly reducing the need for maintenance, making it a cost-effective and long-lasting solution for homeowners.

The benefits of synthetic shake and shingle include:

1. Minimal upkeep: Say goodbye to constant maintenance. Synthetic shake and shingle siding doesn’t crack, peel, rot, or split like wood. There’s no need for painting, caulking, or patching. Maintenance costs are minimal — just soap and water are enough for a quick and easy clean.
2. Wind resistant: Multiple contact points, overlapping flanges and locking systems ensure the shake and shingle panels are securely fastened to the wall, creating a wind velocity resistance of up to 185 mph.
3. Dent resistant: With a nominal thickness ranging from 0.080 to 0.100, synthetic shake and shingle siding offers greater dent resistance than traditional wood siding.
4. Built-in UV protection: Made from a tough, UV-stable polymer with a proven history of protection against the damaging effects of UV ray exposure.

These shake and shingle siding collections offer a versatile range of standard, dark, and premium color options, making them perfect for accents, full walls, or complementing a variety of home styles:

1. Hand-Split Shake: Made with deep, spontaneous grooves to create a rich, realistic texture that replicates the rustic look of real cedar shakes. The panels have a .100 nominal thickness.
2. Double 7″ and Triple 5″ Shingle: Creates a rough and realistic cedar-grain texture with random gaps and a cedar-grain texture to mimic the natural appearance of real cedar shingles. The Double 7″ shingle has a nominal thickness of .100, and the Triple 5″ Shingle has a nominal thickness of .090.
3. Half-Round: The cedar-grain texture and distinct scalloped edge add the authentic look of “fishscale” shingles. The 1/2″ profile height provides realistic shadow lines. This style has a .080 nominal thickness.

7 ways to use synthetic shake and shingle as an accent or whole-home siding to enrich curb appeal

Shake and shingle siding complements and enriches a variety of home design styles. Whatever design path your build takes, shake and shingle siding collections from the Ply Gem portfolio of brands come in a range of colors and textures, giving you the selection needed to add charming texture and depth. Here are a few design ideas:

1. Cape Cod: Add coastal charm to a Cape Cod-style home.
2. Craftsman: Divide distinctive Craftsman facades with the color and texture accents of Ply Gem Performance Cedar Dimensions Triple 5″ siding in the color Dublin.
3. Victorian: Highlight the unique architectural details of a Victorian-style home with Ply Gem Performance Cedar Dimensions Half-Round siding in the color Wicker.
4. Traditional: Add sophistication to a Traditional home with the texture of Variform Heritage Cedar Hand-Split Shake siding in the color Island Pearl.
5. Rustic: Blend modern and traditional materials and finishes on a Rustic home with Ply Gem Performance Cedar Dimensions Double 7″ siding in the color Brandy Wood.
6. Cottage: Enhance the rugged charm of a Cottage-style home with Variform Heritage Cedar Hand-Split Shake siding in the color Cottage Gray.
7. Modern: Add depth to a Modern home with the rich texture of Mastic Cedar Discovery Perfection Shingle Double 7″ siding in the color Misty Shadow.

Draw on the Ply Gem brand’s comprehensive line of shutters, trim and accessories to complete the look.

Consider synthetic shake and shingle for your next project

Discover the charm and character of shake and shingle siding and open up new design possibilities for your next project. Explore shake and shingle collections from Ply Gem®, Mastic® by Ply Gem, and Variform® by Ply Gem.