Shake and Shingle Siding: Materials, Patterns and Fire Considerations
By Bay Area Siding Company
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Shakes are split from the log and are thicker and rougher; shingles are sawn on both faces and are thinner and more uniform. Both give a house the layered, cedar-shingle look of Craftsman, Cape Cod and Bay Area brown-shingle homes. Today you can get that look in real cedar, in fiber cement panels such as Hardie Shingle and Allura Shake, in engineered wood, or in polymer (vinyl) shakes. On Bay Area lots in fire hazard zones, fiber cement is usually the practical choice because it is noncombustible.
Shake and shingle materials compared
| Cedar shakes and shingles | Fiber cement (Hardie Shingle, Allura Shake) | Engineered wood (LP SmartSide shakes) | Polymer / vinyl shakes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Individual pieces | 4-foot panels of shingles, 1/4 inch thick | Shake lap boards with reversible straight or staggered edges | Molded panels |
| Fire | Combustible unless a labeled fire-retardant-treated product | Noncombustible (ASTM E136) | Combustible; check fire-zone acceptance | Combustible; softens and melts |
| Look up close | Real grain, natural variation | Cedar texture, very regular | Cedar texture or brushed smooth | Molded grain; can read as plastic up close |
| Upkeep | Highest: stain or paint, replace split pieces | Repaint on a normal schedule unless factory-finished | Keep paint intact | Washing |
| Decorative shapes | Any shape can be cut | Allura offers half-round and octagon panels | Straight or staggered | Several lines offer half-round, scallop and octagon shapes |
| Relative cost | Upper | Middle to upper-middle | Middle | Lowest |
Shakes vs shingles
The Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau defines the difference by how the pieces are made. Shingles are sawn on both faces, which gives a smooth surface and a consistent taper. Shakes are split from the block along the grain, so at least one face is rough and the thickness varies. Some shake types are split on one face and sawn on the back; tapersawn shakes are sawn on both faces but cut heavier than shingles.
On a wall, shingles look tidy and even, which suits Cape Cod and traditional homes. Shakes cast deeper, irregular shadows and look more rustic. Most manufactured products imitate shingles more than shakes, even when they are sold as "shake" siding.
Fiber cement shingles
Hardie Shingle
James Hardie's current product page lists two styles, both made as panels so a crew installs a 4-foot run of shingles at a time:
- Straight Edge Panel: an even bottom line, sold in versions with a 5-inch or 7-inch exposure, depending on what is stocked regionally. The narrower exposure gives a finer, more traditional look.
- Staggered Edge Panel: shingle bottoms at varied heights, installed at a 6-inch exposure, for a more relaxed, hand-laid look.
The panels are 1/4 inch thick and come primed or in ColorPlus factory colors. James Hardie notes that the fiber cement is noncombustible but its fire resistance does not extend to the paint, which can char. Our Vallejo Hardie shake and shingle project and Mill Valley Hardie shingle project show how they look on a finished house.
Allura Shake
Allura's shake panels are also 1/4 inch thick and 48 by 16 inches. Allura's specification lists a staggered-edge panel at a 6-inch exposure, a straight-edge panel at 7 inches, and half-round (6-tab and 8-tab) and octagon panels at 7 inches. That makes Allura one of the few fiber cement routes to decorative gable patterns. For a broader brand comparison, see Allura vs Hardie.
Engineered wood shakes
LP SmartSide makes cedar-texture shake siding with reversible edges, so the installer can run a straight or staggered bottom line. Its 12-inch shake products allow 7- to 10-inch reveals, and in 2026 LP added an 8-inch primed brushed smooth shake with a 5- to 6-inch reveal for a cleaner, more modern shingle look. Engineered wood is lighter than fiber cement and cuts like wood, but it is combustible. LP has wall assemblies listed for California's wildfire rules, so on a fire-zone lot confirm that the listing covers the exact product and assembly you plan to use.
Polymer and vinyl shakes
Molded polymer shakes, such as CertainTeed's Cedar Impressions line, are the lowest-cost way to get a shingle look. They come in straight, staggered and half-round styles, and some lines offer scallop, octagon and half-cove shapes for gables. They need little more than washing and never need paint. The trade-offs are fire and heat: they are plastic, so they are not suited to Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and like other vinyl products they can distort where reflected sunlight from nearby windows concentrates on them. Up close, molded grain is easier to spot than on cedar or fiber cement.
Cedar shakes and shingles
Western red cedar and yellow cedar remain the authentic choice, and they are still used on historic and high-end work. Cedar can be left to weather to gray, stained or painted, and individual pieces can be replaced. It needs the most care: periodic refinishing, cleaning moss and mildew from shaded walls, and replacing split or cupped pieces. Our cedar siding guide covers grades and finishes.
Fire is the main limit. The Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau's Certi-Guard program covers pressure-impregnated, fire-retardant-treated shakes and shingles, labeled by fire class. California's wildfire-zone building rules include fire-retardant-treated wood labeled for exterior use as one of the accepted wall-covering paths. Another is a wall assembly that has passed the state's fire test; LP, for example, has a listed assembly that puts cedar sidewall shingles over its fire-rated FlameBlock sheathing. Details and local amendments vary. If you want real cedar on a lot in a hazard zone, confirm with your building department before you order.
Patterns and where they look right
- Straight edge: crisp lines, suits Cape Cod, colonial and modern shingle-style homes. A 5-inch exposure reads finer and more traditional; a 7-inch exposure is bolder.
- Staggered edge: uneven bottoms that look hand-laid. Suits Craftsman bungalows and cottage-style homes.
- Half-round, scallop and octagon: decorative "fish scale" shapes, usually confined to gables and bands on Victorian and Queen Anne houses. They look busy on a full wall.
- Full shingle walls: the Bay Area brown-shingle look found in Berkeley and other older neighborhoods. In fiber cement, a stain-look or earth-tone factory color gets close.
- Shingles on gables only: the most common use on re-sides. Lap siding on the body with shingles in the gables adds texture without the cost of shingling the whole house.
Installation details that matter
- Exposure and layout. Courses should line up with window heads and sills where possible. Panel products are installed to fixed exposures, so layout is planned before the first course goes on.
- Corners. Shingle walls usually finish against corner boards. Woven corners, where shingles alternate around the corner, are a cedar detail done with individual shingles.
- Transitions. Where shingles meet lap siding or another material, a flashed band board or Z-flashing keeps water from running behind the lower siding.
- Clearances. Keep the bottom course off roofs, decks and grade by the manufacturer's required distance, with kick-out flashing where a roof edge meets a wall.
- Weather barrier. Shingle walls have many small gaps. A continuous, lapped weather-resistive barrier behind them does the real waterproofing.
How to choose
- In a fire hazard zone, start with fiber cement shingle panels. They are noncombustible and give the closest look to cedar with the least upkeep. Our fire-resistant siding guide covers the rest of the wall.
- For a historic or authentic look, choose cedar and plan for maintenance. Check fire rules first.
- For decorative gables, look at Allura's half-round panels, cut cedar, or polymer shapes where fire rules allow.
- On a tight budget, use shingles only on gables and lap siding elsewhere, or consider polymer shakes outside fire zones.
For an overview of other materials, see siding types for Bay Area homes. When you're ready to price it, our James Hardie siding page explains how we install shingle panels, and we give a free written estimate after a walkthrough.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between shake and shingle siding?
Shingles are sawn on both faces, so they are thinner, smoother and uniform. Shakes are split along the grain, so they are thicker with a rough, irregular face. Most manufactured "shake" siding actually imitates sawn shingles.
Is fiber cement shingle siding fire resistant?
Yes. Hardie Shingle and Allura Shake are fiber cement, which is noncombustible when tested to ASTM E136. James Hardie notes that the paint or coating on the surface can still char. The rest of the wall, including vents, eaves and deck junctions, matters as much as the siding.
Can I use cedar shingles in a fire hazard zone in California?
Untreated cedar on its own is neither noncombustible nor ignition-resistant, so it usually needs either a labeled fire-retardant treatment or a listed wall assembly, such as cedar shingles over fire-rated sheathing. Requirements and local amendments vary, so confirm with your local building department before choosing it.
How long does cedar shingle siding last?
It depends heavily on exposure and upkeep. Shingles on shaded, damp walls need more frequent cleaning and refinishing, and individual pieces split or cup over time. Regular maintenance and replacing damaged pieces early keep a cedar wall in service much longer.
Are vinyl shake panels worth it?
They are the lowest-cost shingle look and need almost no upkeep, which makes sense on a budget outside fire hazard zones. They are combustible, can distort from reflected sunlight, and look less convincing up close than cedar or fiber cement.
Sources
The information provided here is intended for general reference and should not be considered professional advice. Before starting any project, consult a licensed contractor. Product features, specifications, and warranties may have been updated since this was published. Any mention of brands or products reflects personal opinion and does not constitute an endorsement or warranty.
