Cedar shingles are sawn smooth on both faces, tapered to be thinner at the butt and squared off on all four edges (rejoined and rebutted). Roof shakes are split along the woodgrain and are thicker. Some shakes are sawn on one face and split on the other. Shakes come in two standard thicknesses. Medium shakes are ½-in.-thick (nominal) at the butt. Heavy shakes are ¾-in. (nominal) at the butt.