When choosing western red cedar shingles for your home or projects, one of the choices you will have to make is how refined you would like your shingle to be.
The two most popular options are the “R&R Sanded” and the “Perfection” shingles.
There is generally a lot of confusion around the difference between the two types of shingles, and a lot of that can be attributed to the name “perfection”, which is a bit of a misnomer. The word perfection makes you think that the shingles would be the most refined. However, that is not the case. R&R Shingles, or Rebutted and Re-squared Shingles are actually the shingle with the straightest sides and butt. Rebutted and Re-squared refers to what is done to the edge of the shingle when it is run/cut through the machine on the line. Perfection shingles typically have some slight variation from shingle to shingle.
Your decision between the two comes down to your vision for your home or project. Are you looking for a uniform run of shingles with consistent/clean edges and butts or are you looking for something that feels less manufactured and more rustic?
Below are images of these types of shingles, so that you can compare the appearance for yourself.
Perfection Shingles
A better way to think of Perfection shingles is, each one is uniquely perfect in its own way.
Despite what the name suggests, Perfection shingles have more variation from shingle to shingle. Perfection shingles are cut and then left as is. They are not taken through for another pass where they would typically be trimmed down to have a straight side and butt.
They offer a natural or less manicured look for those that are aiming to achieve a more weathered or rustic appearance. Because they take less time and effort to manufacture, they are a lower cost option than traditional R&R Shingles.
R&R Shingles
Rebutted and re-squared shingles have been refined shaved to a uniform shape, allowing them to fit together into a sharp, organized application. The sides of R&R Shingles are square and parallel, making them appear more consistent when in a row.
Conclusion
The key difference between these types of shingles is the parallel edges and uniform appearance of R&R Shingles as compared to Perfection Shingles. Make sure to consider this when selecting shingles for your home or project.
For more info about Cedar Shingle Siding, browse other articles on our blog or our FAQ page.
