You’ve shown your client how they can use cedar shake siding to add the warmth and rustic appeal of shingles without the hassle and maintenance that comes with using wood. You’ve helped them choose shingles in a color that will give their home major curb appeal.

Now it’s time to install!

While cedar shake siding is not particularly difficult to install, the shakes must be installed similar to roofing to prevent water intrusion at the walls. Here are some installation methods that have been proven to be successful in attaining optimum performance for installing cedar shake shingle siding.

Install Over a Solid Base

Cedar shake siding installs best on a solid base such as the existing wood siding or a plywood shear wall, ideally 7/16” or better. Depending on your homeowner’s preference, you can install the shakes on an entire wall or as a wainscot with traditional siding above.

Use Plastic or Wrap

Install plastic or woven house wrap. Skip this step if the wall has siding and trim installed.

Space Panels at Various Temperature Ranges

Perfection Shingles ™, like any other outdoor plastics, expand and contract with the change in temperature. Use the temperature indicator provided on the panel as a guide for the amount of space between panels at the time of installation.

Nailing Pattern is Important

Placement of nails on each panel is very important. Nails must be centered in every nail slot, and every panel must have a nail through the center nail hole to eliminate the panel possibly shifting left or right during normal expansion and contraction. Do not nail siding tightly and do not face nail.

Start Your First Course

If you’re using cedar shake siding for an entire wall, start by installing a starter strip. Start at the bottom of the wall at one end. Lay out the courses on the wall, using a chalk line to establish level reference lines. Position the panels so that the joint lines are staggered. For the best appearance, joints should be offset at least one foot from those on the previous course. Minimize the use of similarly cut lengths of starter pieces. Every starter course should be a different length than the previous course to avoid a repeat pattern.

Continue to install rows of shakes in a staggered pattern. Select shakes that are wide enough to span a seam below or narrow to offset a seam below. Make sure the thick edges of a shake cover the nails at shakes below for the best appearance of the siding.

Tips For Installing Side Lock Successfully

When installing panels on the wall, it is important to check each seam making sure that the side lock has been fully engaged. It is a good rule of thumb to note if there is any gap at the seam. If there is a gap, a lock probably has been missed.

These are some of the more important techniques for successfully installing cedar shake siding. For more specific instructions click here to download detailed installation instructions for our Perfection ShinglesTM.