The old school secret to perfectly aligned cedar shingle siding
In short: Before the American Revolution, cedar shingles were a staple of home construction. Today, master carpenter Tom Silva demonstrates how to achieve professional results using traditional techniques that bypass the need for a tape measure, ensuring your exterior siding is both beautiful and durable.
Installing cedar shingles requires a careful balance of moisture management and precise geometry. To begin, the exterior wall must be protected by an all-in-one rain screen and air barrier. To ensure the bottom course flares outward correctly, a filler strip is placed at the base of the wall. For the shingles themselves, red cedar is a preferred choice, particularly when they arrive pre-primed on both sides to resist the elements.
The fastening process is equally specific. Using 2-inch, 7-penny stainless steel ring shank nails, installers should secure the shingles to the structure. If a shingle's width is five inches or less, Tom Silva recommends using one nail on each side to maintain stability. Crucially, shingles should never be installed tight against one another; a small air gap must remain between them to allow for natural expansion and airflow.
To maintain visual symmetry, the layout must account for architectural features. Silva uses a 'story pole' to mark the courses, aiming for an approximate 5-inch reveal. Once the courses are marked, a chalk line is snapped to create a straight edge for the butts of the next layer. This method ensures that subsequent courses align perfectly with the bottom trim of windows, creating a cohesive aesthetic across the entire facade.
Precision is also required at the edges of the structure. Rather than using standard straight cuts, corner shingles must be scribed and cut to follow the specific curved contours of the building. This meticulous approach, whether doubling the first course or managing the vertical spacing, ensures the siding remains a long-lasting investment for the home.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Install Cedar Shingle Siding | This Old House
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