Attaching Cedar Siding

Step 4 choices of design.

Attaching cedar siding.

The fastest and most thorough method to apply stain to cedar siding is with a thick natural bristle brush. When you come to the last space in a row use a utility knife to cut a shingle to fit into it. Go back and nail subsequent nails along the top edge of this cedar shake siding piece. Using the nail gun drive a single nail at one end of a cedar shake piece of siding and then carefully align it along the snap line attaching another nail at the opposite end.

It is important to keep siding at least 18 inches off the ground if possible. This will guard against splash back rain water hitting the ground and splashing back against the siding which can cause a finish failure. Drive the heads flush with the wood but don t allow them to penetrate. Attach the shingles with 1 inch roofing nails.

Cedar siding should be securely nailed to framing members. Splash back water damage. The brush bristles distribute the stain evenly into the wood grain reaching into the small undulations on the surface of the cedar planking. Ensure joints meet on studs blocking or furring strips with the nail penetrating solid wood at least 1 1 4 inches.

When butt jointing siding cut ends at 45 degree angles to form an overlapping joint. We see a lot of people installing their wood siding all the way to the ground. For cedar siding over wood sheathing nailed at studs for application over foam sheathing add the thickness of the foam to the tabulated nail length. Cedar is a material that needs to be allowed to flex once installed.

Let cedar siding flex and breathe. This is particularly important for vertical installation. Use two nails per shingle. Also placing spacers between the slats will help to ensure a straight piece of siding.

Use an air nailer if possible to speed nailing and minimize damage to siding surface from hammer dents.