Cedar Shake & Shingle Siding
About Cedar Shake & Shingle Siding
Cedar shake and shingle siding delivers everything natural wood promises - the warmth, texture, and visual depth that no flat lap profile can replicate - without the splitting, rotting, warping, and decades of repainting that make real cedar expensive to own. Pro Materials supplies vinyl and engineered polymer shake panels from NovikShake, Foundry, and Mitten: products so precise in grain detail and colour tone that the difference from real cedar is indistinguishable at viewing distance, on a material that won't fail in a Canadian climate. Available in hand-split, roughsawn, perfection shingle, and staggered-edge profiles across natural wood tones and trending contemporary neutrals - with colour-matched corners and trim for clean terminations on any application. Full-house cladding, gable ends, dormers, accent bands, or cottage exteriors: our shake catalogue covers every use case. Wholesale supply to contractors and builders across Ontario and Western Canada.
Cedar Shake & Shingle Siding Buying Guide
Key factors to evaluate when specifying cedar shake & shingle siding for your project.
Choosing Cedar Shake & Shingle Siding
Profile selection
Hand-split shake profiles have an irregular, deeply textured face that creates the most authentic wood appearance and maximum shadow line. Roughsawn shake has a more uniform face with visible grain texture. Perfection shingle panels have smooth, bevelled edges and a refined look suited to craftsman and cottage exteriors. Staggered-edge panels mix depths within a single panel for a natural, hand-laid appearance.
Material
Mitten and Foundry products are high-density polyethylene or engineered polymer - Class A fire rated, impact resistant, and UV stabilized. NovikShake panels are polypropylene with a multi-coat UV finish. All perform without rot, splitting, or insect damage. No painting is required; periodic rinsing maintains appearance.
Panel size and coverage
Most shake panels are 12"–14" tall and cover 1–1.5 sq ft per panel. Panel width varies from 30"–48". Calculate waste factor at 10–15% for standard gable-end and hip cuts.
Colour selection
Natural cedar tones (Cedarwood, Harvest, Autumn Gold) dominate residential installations. Shake in contemporary neutrals (Driftwood, Weathered Grey, Charcoal) is trending strongly in 2026 for farmhouse and coastal-inspired homes. All colours are UV-inhibited in the polymer matrix - not painted on - for lasting fade resistance.
Corner and trim system
Always specify the manufacturer's matching corner pieces - they're precision-fitted to the panel edge profile and eliminate field fabrication of mitre joints. Trim boards, J-channels, and starter strips are also manufacturer-matched for a clean, finished installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vinyl cedar shake siding as durable as real cedar?
In most performance categories, vinyl and engineered polymer shake panels significantly outperform real cedar. They don't rot, split, warp, or attract insects. They require no painting, staining, or annual maintenance. Real cedar has superior natural appearance, but NovikShake and Foundry panels now replicate wood grain and tone so accurately that the difference is indistinguishable from curb distance. For Canadian climates, the low-maintenance advantage of vinyl shake is substantial.
Can cedar shake siding be used as accent cladding, not full-house siding?
Yes - accent installation is one of the most popular uses for shake panels. Shake is commonly applied on gable ends, lower-storey bands, dormers, bays, and garage facades to create contrast and visual interest against a lap or board-and-batten main siding. A shake accent band between the first and second floor is a fast way to add architectural character. All our shake products include corner pieces for clean accent terminations.
Do I need a starter strip under shake siding?
Yes. A manufacturer-matched starter strip is required to set the angle of the first shake course. The starter strip determines the reveal and overhang of the bottom row and prevents water infiltration at the sill. Some products include the starter strip; others require it to be purchased separately. Specify it when ordering.
What brands of cedar shake siding do you carry?
We carry NovikShake, Foundry Specialty Siding, and Mitten Vinyl shake profiles. NovikShake is produced in Quebec and is known for deep 3D texture and an authentic hand-split appearance. Foundry panels are manufactured in the US and offer a wide colour palette in both shake and shingle profiles. Mitten shake complements their vinyl lap and soffit lines for matched colour systems. We can help you select the right product for your project's aesthetic and budget.
Is cedar shake siding Class A fire rated?
The engineered polymer and high-density polyethylene products we carry (NovikShake, Foundry, Mitten) are all Class A or Class B fire rated. Class A is the highest fire-resistance rating for building cladding materials and is required by many municipal and provincial codes, particularly in interface zones and high-density residential areas. Always confirm the fire rating of the specific product you're specifying against local code requirements.