All material and information, courtesy of the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau, Tel. (604) 820 7700, Fax (604) 820 0266. www.cedarbureau.org

Performance
Cedar shakes and shingles are built to stand up to the elements, both through short-term extremes in weather and through long-term existence. Wind tunnel research shows that properly applied cedar roofing will withstand winds exceeding 130 mph. The Haag Engineering test shows that wood roofing is also more resilient to hail than other materials.

Envirosmart
Wood roofing has a number of environmental qualities which make it a good choice for green" consumers. According to the USDA Forest Service, wood roofing and siding have higher insulation values than equivalent products, reducing the amount of energy required to heat or cool homes and offices, saving homeowners money on their energy bills. Wood roofing also is made from a renewable resource and uses much less energy to produce than comparable products. Old wood roofing, moreover, is biodegradable and can be safely disposed of without fear of environmental harm.

Quality
The blue CERTI labels (CERTI-Guard, CERTI-Last, CERTI-Sawn, etc.) are a mark of quality awarded by the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau to several hundred mills in the U.S. and Canada who participate in a stringent quality control program. In order to use the CERTI label, mills must meet quality standards established by the Bureau and undergo regular inspections and audits by independent ICBO approved quality control agencies. The Bureau offers a 20/25 year CERTI label warranty on qualifying member materials applied by approved installers.

How to Read a CERTI label

CERTI labels show the key information that consumers need to be confident that they are purchasing a quality product. They tell how the product was made, how it was inspected, and who made it. Knowing how to read a CERTI label will help you to understand the differences in products, and to provide your clients with the best product for their need.

Here are some things to look for on your CERTI labels:

Identification of the quality auditing company (the independent quality control auditing firm which has inspected the product) located in the left of three small boxes running horizontally across the label;
An ICBO ES Evaluation Report number, showing that the mill produces under a total quality program, located in the right of the three small boxes;
Manufacturing mill name, address and phone number on the center left;
Product grade, found at the top of the label;
Product size, at the bottom of the label;
The CERTI product registration mark, the assurance of a quality product, at the upper right of the label.

Occupational Health and Safety Information

Wood dust consists of particles of wood created during the processing, handling, and cutting of wood, chipboard, hardboard and other composite wood material. The elimination or control of risks from wood dust is recommended or required in most jurisdictions.

For additional information on this topic please refer to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) or consult local occupational health and safety authorities.