Wood shingles or tapersawn always have a smooth and uniform look. They are smooth on both sides and the overall piece tapers down for ease of installation. These are the smallest scale of shakes and are used often for starter courses, siding and roofs.

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Shake where once produced by hand splitting a cedar log into planks. Shakes have a rough look, though today's shakes are now produced by machines, the down facing side will be much smoother.

 

Shakes also come in different thicknesses. Tapersawn, Medium split and Heavy split. Each provide a different look and life expectancy.