What is the difference between a shake and a shingle?

Generally, a shingle is sawn on both sides and is thinner at the butt than a shake. A shake is typically split on one or both sides. There are important exceptions to this, (tapersawn shakes = shakes sawn on both sides) depending on the specific manufacturing method and the dimensions of a specific product. Shakes are still manufactured by hand, but most are now made using powered equipment. Certi-Split® shakes are made by taking the wood straight split from the block, and sawing it end-to-end at an angle. This creates a shake which is sawn on one side and split on the other, often called a "handsplit and resawn" product. Medium shakes are shakes that measure nominal ½" at the butt. Heavy Shakes are shakes that measure nominal ¾" at the butt.  more

A shake is rough, it is "split" from the log whereas a shingle is cut from the log with a saw leaving a smooth surface.

Generally, a shake is made from wood which is split from a block of cedar. Shingles are always sawn on both sides from a block of cedar. After being cut, the sides of each shingle are then trimmed to create square corners on the product. They are used for roof installation, or sent for additional processing to create more tailored sidewall products.  more