Cedar siding in residential construction

Overview:

There are many different types of siding used in construction today. The most common types of siding are made from wood and man made material like vinyl and concrete. The most common types of wood siding, comes  from cedar trees, they are clapboards and shakes.  Cedar is highly resisitant to insects and moisture making it perfect for the outdoors.

Clapboards

Cedar shakes:

Cedar clapboards installation:

   Prior to intall you must inspect material and determine the proper grade of siding for each job. Grades are designed for specific appearances and uses. Before installing, be sure the siding you’ve selected is what you or the customer wants. meets your requirements. Any product found to be damaged or visually unacceptable for any reason. Use the link below to help you understand various grades of cedar siding. http://www.cabotstain.com/pdf/TchBul04.pdf

  When siding arrives inspect each peice checking for damages and lumber defects. Lumber should not be installed; if you encounter any such product STOP and call your supplier immediately.

 ACCLIMAT SIDING BEFORE INSTALLING

One of the most stable softwoods, Western Red Cedar is nevertheless a natural material and it responds to the environment. Cedar siding can swell or shrink as it gains or loses moisture to reach equilibrium with the moisture content of the surrounding air. Ensuring that the moisture content of cedar siding is at equilibrium before it is installed will minimize movement later on. There are receommended moisture content for variuos siding. Recommended moisture content for sidings are given in the table below.

1) To calculate average, test 10% or more of pieces.

For more information on specific conditions use the following link. http://www.cedar-siding.org/cedar-siding-installation/preparation/acclimatize-siding.aspx

 Installation of cedar clapboard siding:

Use the following link to guide you through the installation process of cedar clapboards. http://www.wrcla.org/pdf/WRCLA_Installing_Siding.pdf

Cedar shake siding:

Cedar shake siding is one of the more resistant to weather and insects then clapboards and has less chance of being wrapped or cracked. Shake sidings are a combination of various small pieces of the wood or cedar in this case which are joined together to make a form. The typical formation for the cedar shake sidings is the form of shingles. The cedar shakes siding are actually vertical in installation and have shape like wedge; the cedar shake siding is sliced and split. . There are plenty of options for making the sidings for the home like vinyl shake sidings, plywood sidings, concrete sidings etc. however the cedar shake siding has its own place among them. Cedar shake siding is said to be among the most expensive type of wood shake sidings.

Some benifits of cedar shake siding:

      The areas where humidity is said to be at high rate cedar shake sidings can be easily used as compare to other type of woods because of its unique features. Clear siding is one among the other type of cedar. Shake siding comes in two different finishes rough sawn and flat.

Installation of cedar shakes:

• Begin at the bottom of the wall and determine where you want the lowest portion of the shakes to reach. Level chalk line along the desired bottom edge.

• Install starter row of #1 wood shingles along the bottom edge. Don’t worry that they will appear different from your shakes because they will not be visible when you’re done. (The reason for choosing #1 wood shingles for the starter strip is because their grain is tighter and provides a more secure surface on which to nail).

• Install cedar shakes on top of the wood shingles. The first row of shakes will be directly on top of the shingles. Shingles can be in straight rows or staggered for a different appearance.

• Nail in two places on either side of the shake, approximately 10 inches up from the bottom. Keep nails in a row do not stagger nails. (Top of cedar shake are thinner at the top).

• Repeat the process on each subsequent row as you work your way up the side of the house. Each time, pop a new chalk line on the wall to serve as a guide.

• Cut cedar shakes with a skill saw to trim around doors, windows and venting, usign a block plane to clean and trim edges. It will also be necessary to cut off the top of the uppermost row of shakes to install under the eaves.

Read more: How to Install Cedar Shake Siding | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4464325_install-cedar-shake-siding.html#ixzz1ptJW5elC