How to Install Fiber Cement Shingles

Fiber cement shingles have been used on homes for over 100 years. The shingles are made by combining wood, protective additives, cement and sand. The fiber cement shingles you can install come in a variety of colors. You don't have to apply any kind of finish to the shingles and they can last for decades. The shingles come in large sheets so you can install shingles over a large area in very little time. You can install fiber cement shingles with notches, a wavy look or straight edges.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Galvanized nails
• Fiber cement shingles
• Asphalt-saturated felt or other water resistant material
• Utility knife
• Saw
• Measuring tape
• Level

1. Apply asphalt-saturated felt or another water sealant material to the walls first. Overlap the material by at least 2 inches and nail it to the walls.

2. Plan ahead to work around windows and doors on the building. Get measurements for the distances between the bottom of the wall and the windows as well as the top of the wall.

3. Start in a corner and place the first shingle or panel in place at the bottom of the wall. Make sure the shingles are placed perfectly level.

4. Nail the siding shingles in place with nails in the upper corners of the shingles. Fiber cement shingles usually have holes drilled in the corners for nails.

5. Install the next shingle/panel so it's butting up against the first one and secure with nails.

6. Continue installing fiber cement shingles until you get to a window or door. Measure the size of the panel you will need and carefully cut the panel to size.

7. Measure the space between the top of the next to last row of shingles and the roof.

8. Cut the last row of shingles to fit snugly at the top of the wall and nail them in place.

9. Go to the next wall needing the siding and follow the same pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• Coal-saturated felt doesn't work well with fiber cement shingles for siding.
• If you don't like the color choices available for cement shingles, you can paint them with a good outdoor paint.
• Wash the shingles occasionally to restore them to like-new condition.
• Make sure you get the asphalt-saturated felt as close to windows as possible for added moisture protection.
• Add a panel insulation to the wall before you put up the shingles to dramatically improve the insulation of the building.
• Don't leave a gap between any shingle panels or you may have problems with water damage in the future.