How to Install Cedar Siding

There are a couple of different types of cedar siding, so be sure to choose the color that is right for your project. Also, when possible, choose cedar siding that is kiln dried. Kiln dried siding has the proper moisture content so that it won't shrink or expand once the job is done.If you are siding a house in an extremely hot and dry area, allow your cedar boards to dry for three to four days before attempting to put them up.Similarly, if your boards have become wet during shipping or just before being installed, separate them and allow them to dry for four to five days before installing.If you find any defects in your shipment that affect the color or the outward appearance of your boards, stop your project and replace the unacceptable boards before continuing.Nails must be long enough to penetrate the cedar siding and to extend at least 1 1/2 inches into the underlying wood.

Things You'll Need

• Cedar siding boards
• Level
• String level with chalk line
• Flashing
• Nails
• Hammer

Instructions

1. After acclimating your cedar siding to the area where you live, use a chalk line or a straight level to align the bottom board perfectly level with the foundation of your home. If applying siding over wood studs or wood sheeting, nail the first siding board in place at the lowest level of the wall, nailing along the top edge of the board where the nail heads will be hidden by the overlap of the next layer of siding. Use a minimum of three nails, evenly spaced. Four or five nails would be even better.

2. Continue along the lowest level of your wall until you have reached a corner. make sure that all of your siding boards butt up as tightly as possible end to end as you go. Don't worry about leaving expansion joints between boards as expansion will not occur lengthwise.

3. Begin nailing your next row of siding from the opposite side of the wall so that your seams between boards will not line up. When aligning your second level of siding make sure there is an overlap of 1.5 inches and make certain that this overlap is maintained exactly all the way across the wall. Assuming that your first layer of siding was perfectly level, then by maintaining a precise 1.5-inch overlap of boards all future levels will remain perfect as well.Nevertheless, it is wise to check for level after every other row of boards has been nailed in place.

4. Continue working up the wall, making certain that you maintain a precise 1.5-inch overlap of boards. Make certain that all of your nails fall within the top 1.5 inches of your boards so that they will be covered by the next row of siding.

5. Install flashing on lower edges of windows at on the very top of your wall to direct water to the outside of the siding.

Tips & Warnings

• This article is written for siding that is installed over wood studs or over wood sheeting. If siding is being installed over masonry then wood furring strips, at least 2x2s, must be installed vertically at a maximum of every 24 inches.