The Complete Guide to Using Driftwood Shingles on Houses

Driftwood shingles offer a unique, coastal-inspired look for home exteriors. Made from recycled driftwood, these wood shingles provide both visual appeal and practical benefits. From cost savings to added curb appeal, driftwood shingles can be an attractive option for your next remodeling or construction project.

What Are Driftwood Shingles?

Driftwood shingles are a specialty type of wood roofing or siding shingle made from recycled driftwood pieces. Driftwood refers to wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach naturally. This weathering by wind, waves, and sun bleaches the wood and gives it a unique, variegated appearance.

Manufacturers gather drifted wood and mill it into shingles. Compared to traditional wood shingles, the recycled nature and manufacturing process of driftwood shingles gives them a more varied and natural-looking color and texture. The shingles tend to have a grayish, coastal vibe.

Benefits of Using Driftwood Shingles

What sets driftwood shingles apart from other shingle options like asphalt or cedar? Here are some of the major advantages.

Visual Appeal

One of the biggest appeals of driftwood shingles is their distinctive look. The varied grays, bleached tones, and wood textures lend a coastal, Cape Cod, or old-fashioned aesthetic to homes. This can instantly boost curb appeal and give your house a decorative edge over neighborhood homes.

You can also mix driftwood shingles with other elements like stone or brick. Blending texture in this way creates added visual drama. And unlike a simple gray house color, no two driftwood shingle pieces look exactly the same due to the randomness of natural weathering.

Durability

Quality driftwood shingles make an exceptionally durable exterior covering able to withstand all types of weather conditions. The best brands offer Class 4 impact resistance, withstanding hailstones up to 2 inches. Driftwood shingles also hold up well to wind, rain, and storms.

These shingles resist other damage as well. Their color goes clear through so they maintain their look even with scratches. And driftwood's unique properties repel algae growth and prevent staining from elements like sap and fungus.

Energy Efficiency

In cooler climates, darker roofs absorb the sun's warmth which helps reduce heating costs. But driftwood's lighter color aids efficiency in hotter zones. By reflecting more sunlight, driftwood shingles reduce heat gain to cut cooling costs in summer.

This makes them an eco-friendly roofing choice . Less fossil fuel for air conditioning offsets manufacturing impacts. So despite higher production requirements than asphalt, lifetime analysis still favors driftwood. Especially as power generation shifts greener over their 30+ year lifespan.

Popular Brands of Driftwood Shingles

If you decide to install driftwood shingles, choosing a quality brand is key to gaining benefits like durability. Two top options include:

Oakridge

From CertainTeed, Oakridge driftwood shingles boast a Class 4 impact rating for maximum weather resistance. Their staggered sawtooth design creates distinctive shadow lines for added dimension. Oakridge shingles also come with a Lifetime Limited warranty. They resist manufacturing defects for as long as you own your home. Oakridge shingles cost $$$-$$$$ per square installed.

Timberline HD

GAF Timberline HD driftwood shingles meet UL 2218 Class 4 impact standards. Their layering mimics real wood shakes. Rich shadow lines and thickness (up to 1 inch) produce a genuine wood look. Like Oakridge, Timberlines have a Class A fire rating for safety. Expect to spend $$$-$$$$ per square for Timberline HD installation.

Cost Comparison to Other Shingles

In general, you should expect to pay more upfront for driftwood versus standard asphalt or cedar shingles. But you gain long term savings on energy plus resale value. Comparing costs:

Asphalt Shingles

Easy to manufacture and install, asphalt shingles start around $100 per square. Simple 3-tab versions cost up to $300 per square installed. Higher end dimensional asphalt, mimicking wood shakes, runs $300-500 per square installed. Compared to starting costs of $700+ for driftwood, asphalt shingles provide cost savings up front. But they last just 20-30 years.

Wood Shingles

Cedar and redwood shingles run $600-800 per square installed. Like driftwood, they can last 30-50 years. But wood requires frequent staining/sealing to prevent rot and splitting. Driftwood's longevity and minimal upkeep offset slightly higher initial pricing. Plus it offers added benefits like energy efficiency.

Return on Investment

While driftwood shingles necessitate greater upfront investment, their many benefits deliver long term value for homes. Not having to re-roof for 50+ years saves thousands over time. Energy efficiency cuts power bills by up to 15%, savings that will only rise with electricity rates. And enhanced curb appeal can add several thousand dollars to resale values.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation and care ensures your driftwood shingles stand the test of time.

Hiring a Roofer

A professional roofer experienced with driftwood can ensure your shingles get correctly installed. They'll address nuances from modified nailing patterns to pre-staining. Check certifications and seek 3-5 bids. Confirm the contract specifies manufacturer instructions will be followed.

Ongoing Care

While relatively low maintenance, driftwood shingles benefit from occasional attention. Clearing debris like leaves prevents water pooling that can lead to faster wear. Check for damaged or missing shingles after severe weather as well. Catching issues early prevents wider spread problems.

Though driftwood resists algae, moss may still grow in damp, shaded regions. Gently remove with an enzyme cleaner or diluted bleach solution. Every 7-10 years, apply new protective sealant. This enhances water resistance and color retention.

Achieving the Driftwood Look

If full driftwood shingles exceed budget, you have options to still capture the aesthetic at a lower cost.

Mix With Traditional Shingles

Use driftwood for visual impact in key areas. Front gables or the upper portion of high walls maximize visibility. Composite shingles like CertainTeed's Cedar Impressions cost less than full wood. Mixing in driftwood accents dresses up their simulated wood texture. Going this route cuts about 25% off the cost of full driftwood installation.

For even greater savings, PVC or recycled plastic faux driftwood trim shingles start around $100 per square. Brands like Versetta Stone offer the variegated gray tones of driftwood. While warranty and longevity fall short of real wood, engineered polymer composites resist cracking or decay. Evaluate options for the most realistic textures available.

Driftwood's coastal charm doesn't have to drain your wallet. Strategic use stretches your roofing budget while still enhancing aesthetics. So explore options to make this distinctive, eco-friendly shingle work for your exterior design vision and budget.