Installing Wood Shake Siding

Although cedar shingles take more time to install than most other types of siding they lend a rich textured look to your exterior.

Installing wood shake siding.

Thisoldhouse asktoh subscribe to this old house. If you re thinking of installing shingle siding it s important to note that this option can be used only if the sheathing is boards plywood or osb. A popular choice in north american colonies wood shake and shingle siding s history traces back hundreds of years. The traditional way to install cedar shakes is through a method called single coursing.

For curb appeal that will make your house stand out in the neighborhood consider installing shingle siding. It s often reserved for smaller homes or as accents on larger ones. Use two nails per shingle. This is when each piece of cedar siding covers half of the one below it much like staggering and layering on cedar siding on top of one another to provide a scale like appearance.

Drive the heads flush with the wood but don t allow them to penetrate. Tom silva shows the apprentices how to properly install wood shingles. Pop a level chalk line for the starter strip an inch or two above the bottom of the siding. When you come to the last space in a row use a utility knife to cut a shingle to fit into it.

The first course of shakes or shingles is doubled with the outer course dropped 1 2 inch lower to create a drip edge see figure 1 14 at left. Attach the shingles with 1 inch roofing nails. Nail vertical vinyl corners to the corners of the house making sure they are plumb. The chalk line together with a wood board a straight piece of 1 x 3 or 2 x 4 serves as a guide to align the shingles.

Tack up a length of 1x3 furring as a guide for the next course moving up the wall with each successive course. Wood shingle single coursing installation details for walls. Installing cedar shakes is pretty much the same as installing shingles. The shingle overhangs the foundation wall to provide a drip cap as shown in figure 4.

The installation of cedar shingles starts by snapping a chalk line 1 2 inch below the bottom of the sheathing on the foundation wall. Attach the shake with a pair of 5d galvanized box nails and a shingle hatchet or hammer. The nails install 6 inches.