How to Use Cedar Shingle Siding
Cedar shingle siding is a way to add curb appeal to the exterior of your home. Although cedar shingle siding is not the easiest or the most common covering for the outside of your home, it does provide a unique look because of its textured effect.
- Remove the original siding from the house. Create a flat surface that is completely even.
- Construct a story pole by setting the piece of lumber on a flat surface. Use the longest piece of lumber you possibly can. Use one of the shingles you plan to install as a guide to marking the measurements on the pole. Set the shingle down at the bottom of the lumber and draw a line where the shingle ends on the pole. Continue doing this the entire way up the pole. Take into consideration the overlap of the shingles.
- Use a chalk line marker to signify the location of where the first row of shingles will end. Use the story pole you created as a guide.
- Place your first row of cedar shingles down using the chalk lines you created. Nail each shingle down using a series of two nails at the top of each siding shingle. Placing too many nails in the cedar shingles causes cracking and breaking to occur.
- Attach shingles to build the second row. Make sure you are continuing to add the shingles in a straight line. There should be at an overlap of at least two inches. If you choose a different size, make sure you use the same overlap size on every row thereafter.
- Continue adding each row of shingles over top of the next with the same size overlap. You may have to cut your last row that is on the uppermost part of the house to size it properly.
- Trim the edges around the sides of your home, around doorframes and windowpanes to size any excess shingle. Use a skill saw to accomplish this.