How To Nail Cedar Lap Siding

If clapboard isn t long enough to span a wall splice two together with a 45 degree scarf joint.

How to nail cedar lap siding. An inch above the siding s butt edge drive in one 7d nail into each stud. An oscillating tool with a metal cutting blade works great for this or you can use a mini hacksaw with the blade extended beyond the end of the holder. Face nail with two nails per piece for 8 inches patterns and wider keeping nails 2 1 2 to 3 inches apart to allow for dimensional movement without splitting. Bevel siding should be face nailed to studs with 1 1 4 inch penetration into solid wood using one nail per piece spaced at a maximum of 24 inches on center.

Siding up to 6 in. Wide can be blind nailed with one siding nail per bearing toe nailed through the base of each tongue wider siding should be face nailed using two nails per bearing ring shank nails must penetrate 1 1 4 in into solid wood see figure 6. Cedar shingle siding can give a home old world charm but that isn t the only reason to install it. Wrap the house with a polyethylene or similar moisture barrier stapled to the wooden wall sheathing with a construction stapler.

Despite the variety of materials installation methods are basically the same with a few variations in fasteners joints and so forth. Do not nail through overlaps. Place nail just above the overlap. The cell structure also creates a cushion of air inside each shingle that helps to insulate your house.

Do not reduce the siding overlap recommendations given in the installation sections of this publication. How to install cedar bevel siding. In vertical application start at one corner with grooved edge toward the adjacent wall. Take care not to nail through the overlap of two pieces.

Lap siding also called horizontal siding or clapboard may be made of wood fiber cement plywood hardboard or similar materials. For siding up to 6 inches wide use one nail one inch up from the lap. Cut existing siding nails. Allow a 1 8 inch expansion gap between pieces if the siding is air or kiln dried.

Step 4 make a swing stick photo by david carmack. Cut through the nails that are holding the old siding in place. Apply sealant to the ends fit them together and drive one nail through the overlapping board inch to the side of the joint. The natural oils in cedar make it resistant to mold and its open cell structure makes it flexible and resistant to cracking.