Abstract: A shake panel is disclosed having a flexible underlayment layer having a leading edge, an opposite a trailing edge, an upper edge, and an opposite lower edge. A plurality of shakes are provided, each shake having an upper portion affixed to the underlayment layer and a lower portion extending toward the underlayment layer lower edge, each shake extending side-by-side along an adjacent shake to define a keyway space therebetween. In a method for forming a shake surface, a first shake panel is secured to the surface with the leading edge adjacent a leading edge of the surface and the lower edge adjacent a lower edge of the surface. A second shake panel is secured to the surface with the second layer leading edge overlaying the first shake panel trailing edge adjacent a trailing edge of the shakes of the first shake panel.

Abstract: A shake fabricating process for producing roofing shakes from a lumber drop block having a natural grain and having an upper surface and an opposed lower surface is provided. In accordance with the process, the drop block is scanned for unacceptable grain structure. The drop block is cut across said natural grain into blanks having a length generally equivalent to the length of a roofing shake and including a first end section and a second end section. The blank is cut on a diagonal plane relative to the first and second end sections, the plane extending from the first end to said second end so as to divide the board into a pair of shakes, each shake having a first and second end portion and defining a decreasing thickness from the first end portion to the second end portion. The shakes are placed in a pressure treating chamber for treatment with a chemical preservative.

Abstract: A shake fabricating process for producing roofing shakes from wood is provided. In accordance with the process a log is stripped of its bark and cut into bolts having a preselected length corresponding to the desired length of the shakes to be produced. The bolts are then cut in half, or in quarters, longitudinally to produce bolt sections which are, in turn, cut into boards having a preselected thickness. A plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves are then cut into the upper and lower surfaces of the boards to give the surfaces the appearance of being hand split, and the boards are cut diagonally from end to end to produce a pair of shakes which decrease in thickness from their first end portions to their second end portions. In order to achieve the desired wood colorization the shakes are then placed in a pressure treating chamber and a first vacuum is generated in the chamber for a preselected time period in order to draw a liquid pigment into the chambers.