Texas is frequently hit by heavy storms and high winds. You need shingles that will withstand the atmospheric beating they are likely to receive on at least an annual basis. Wallaba shingles were evaluated by the Texas Department of Interior and shown to resist uplift due to wind pressure.
Things That Set Wallaba Wood Apart
Native to South America, wallaba wood is a tropical hardwood. Apart from roofing, wallaba wood is also used in residential building for fencing and patios. Industrial uses include flooring and railroad ties. This wood is prized not only for its attractive reddish-brown color, which fades to a bright silver with age, but also for the sturdiness afforded by its straight, coarse grain and high density. Wallaba wood is resistant to fire, decay, and insect depredation by virtue of its resinous gum exudates.
While these properties make wallaba shingles desirable for your home, the exudates also make the wood difficult to cut with machines because the gum clogs up the teeth of a saw. The shingles must be dried in a kiln before attempting to cut them. Therefore, shingles made of wallaba wood should only be cut and installed by a professional.
Concerns Regarding Installation
Any existing roof covering must be removed before installation of wallaba wood shingles can commence. The roof slope can be as low as 4:12 for the shingles and shakes to be installed, but the roof deck must be comprised of Douglas Fir-Larch boards measuring one inch by four inches and spaced five and a half inches apart. The Texas Department of Interior specifies that the underlayment must consist of at least one layer of No. 30 asphalt felt that is ASTM compliant, and that stainless steel ring shank nails must be used to fasten the shingles to the boards.
The Texas DOI has found wallaba wood shingles to be in compliance with the International Building Code as it relates to wind load. This evaluation underscores wallaba wood shingles as a durable and attractive choice for your home.