How to Use Shake Siding
Shake or shingle siding is an attractive way to side the exterior of your home. Shakes are commonly made from cedar. Cedar is a beautiful red and tan toned wood that naturally resists insects and rot, making it ideal for a siding material. Shakes are installed in rows, with the joints staggered so that they will create a weatherproof barrier for your home. It is important to install the shakes correctly to maintain a weatherproof barrier that will hold up over time. Select grade A or B shakes for your siding so that it will be of high enough quality for siding applications. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cedar shakes
- Hammer
- Box, 6 penny ring shank stainless steel nails
- Tape measure
Instructions
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1
Start at the bottom corner of the exterior wall. Place one shake against the wall at the bottom corner with the tapered side oriented up and the thick side oriented towards the ground. Hammer one nail through each side edge of the shake approximately 1/2-inch in and about halfway down from the top of the shake.
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2
Place a second shake next to the first one, leaving a 1/4-inch space between shakes to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood. Hammer the shake in place in the same manner as the first. Continue installing shakes until the whole row is complete.
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3
Position a shake at the edge of the wall approximately 6 inches above the bottom edge of the first row. The reveal should be around 6 inches, however it can be slightly more or less based on aesthetic preferences. Hammer the shake in place at about the midway point. Continue and complete the second row following the same procedure as in step two. Make sure that the shakes in the second and following rows are staggered with the joints below them.
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4
Continue installing rows of shakes all the way up to the top of the wall in by following the same procedure as in step three.
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Tips & Warnings
Leave the shakes natural to allow them to weather to an attractive silver/gray color.
Wear eye protection when hammering nails.
