how to finish top course of cedar shingles

How to Finish Cedar Shingles

• Step 1—Clean the Shingles If your cedar shingles are new, you can skip cleaning them. They are ready to prime and paint or stain. ...
• Step 2—Allow the Shingles to Dry It is important to allow the shingles to dry completely. ...
• Step 3—Apply Primer If you are planning to stain your shingles, you can go ahead to Step 4. ...
• Step 4—Apply Paint or Stain ...

Full Answer

How to finish a shed roof with shingles?

However, there is a better solution for finishing the top layer of shingles on your shed roof and it involves putting on your top edge drip edge over the next-to-last layer of shingles. If you’ve already put your drip edge on the top edge of your shed, then don’t move it. Adding more nail holes to a finished roof is not recommended.

How do you finish the top row of shingles?

Here’s how to use flashing along the top edge of a lean-to shed when finishing the top row of shingles. Remove sections of siding immediately adjacent to the top edge of the roof. If the siding is vinyl, use a siding removal tool to pop out the bottom edge.

How do you trim shingles without damaging the roof?

You’ll use your utility knife to trim the edge so that it is flush with the top edge of the roof. If the adhesive strip of the shingles is beyond the top edge, then avoid laying another row. Cut your shingles into strips.

Do cedar shingles take a long time to install?

Cedar shingles take more time to install than most other types of siding, but they create a richly textured look. Shingles can be installed only if the sheathing is boards, plywood, or OSB, and should be installed to provide triple coverage, with three layers of shingles covering the wall.

What is replacement cedar shingles?

Can you use oil based stain on shingles?

Can you clean cedar shingles?

Is cedar shingles easy to finish?

Do you need to paint shingles?

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How do you finish cedar shingles?

Using stain and clear coat does protect the wood and gives you a longer life for the roof or siding. The other finishing option is paint. You can paint the cedar to whatever color you wish. The natural oils in the cedar can discolor paint so be sure to apply a oil based primer coat to seal it.

Should cedar roof shingles be sealed?

Never seal your cedar roof. Sealing the roof will lock in moisture that would otherwise naturally evaporate during normal weather conditions. Cedar needs to breathe and thus a water repellant type product, rather than a water proofer is the best route to follow.

Should you leave a gap between cedar shingles?

Second, it's sometimes recommended that you leave ⅛-inch gaps between shingles, since cedar shingles can swell slightly. However, as long as the shingles are not completely dried out, they'll shrink slightly after installation, so gapping is usually unnecessary.

How do you side a cedar shake?

0:514:30Applying Cedar Shingles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet's watch starting off with a nice big. One. Put two nails per shingle. About an inch and a halfMoreLet's watch starting off with a nice big. One. Put two nails per shingle. About an inch and a half above. The butt line yeah which is this is the butt line here which will be your next course at the

What goes under cedar shingles?

Felt UnderlaymentFelt Underlayment It is normally made from natural materials like wood cellulose but it can also be made from synthetic fibers like fiberglass. It is then coated with a protective coating made up of Asphalt which repels water, moisture, and debris that may have got past the cedar shingles or shakes.

How much should cedar shingles overlap?

from each edge of the cedar shingle and 4 cm (1 1/2 in.) above the exposure. To avoid buckling, allow 3 to 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 in.) space between each shingle for expansion (depending on degree of humidity).

What sealer is best for cedar?

Cedar accepts most finishes well, including penetrating oils, such as tung oil and linseed oil. Penetrating oils are especially effective for sealing the grain while leaving the wood looking raw and natural.

How long do cedar shingles last on a roof?

Cedar roofs are always working hard to fight off the elements. The minimum cedar shingle roof life expectancy is 30 years — however, when you regularly maintain it, it can last an astounding 50 years or more. We've even seen some Cedar roofs last over 90 years! Taking care of a cedar roof will ensure it lasts longer.

Is cedar breather necessary?

Not only is it worth it, it is necessary. Cedar shakes/shingles need to have airflow underneath them so that they dry out evenly. During a good soaking rain cedar will absorb a lot of water, if they dry unevenly after a while they will start to curl and split.

How do you install top row cedar shingles?

2:027:01How to Install Cedar Shingle Siding | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou really only need two nails per shingle. And you want to be in about three quarters to one inchMoreYou really only need two nails per shingle. And you want to be in about three quarters to one inch on each edge. And if the shingle is wider than let's say five inches one more in the middle.

Can you install wet cedar shingles?

If the siding has gotten wet, it should be separated and allowed to dry completely before installation. In hot and dry environments, we recommend allowing the siding to acclimate for a good 3 to 5 days before installing.

What is the difference between cedar shingles and cedar shakes?

Cedar shakes are split off while shingles are sawn smooth on both sides and cut tapered. Lastly, shakes are thicker than shingles. Durability – Generally speaking, cedar shakes are more durable and last longer than shingles because they are thicker and made from premium grade wood.

How do you seal cedar shakes?

If you're using a clear coat WRP to seal your cedar shingles, the most efficient way is to dip-apply the preservative. Take a bundle of shingles, dip them into the container of WRP, and then allow the preservative to fully dry according to the directions on the packaging.

Can you use a nail gun on cedar shingles?

Tools & Fasteners It's possible to install cedar shingles with a hammer, and that provides the most control, but with 900 nails per square, the job will go a lot faster if you use a pneumatic nail gun. The other big advantage to using a nail gun is that you have one hand free to hold the shingle-strip.

Can you leave cedar untreated?

Left untreated, cedar shakes — individual planks of one of several varieties of cedar — will discolor and begin to soften, with a possibility of rot after about five years, depending on the climate. There are several options for covering cedar siding, including stain, a clear treatment or paint.

Do you need underlayment for cedar shingles?

A cedar shingle roof needs to 'breathe' to achieve its optimum lifespan. For the best performance an underlay is recommended for all shingle roofs whether domestic or commercial.

Can you use roofing nails for cedar shakes?

Nail Sizes for Cedar Shingle Roofing Nails should be long enough to penetrate underlying materials in the cedar shingles at least 3/4 inches, or all the way through.

How long do cedar shakes last on a house?

As long as it's properly installed and with proper maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years of life out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in quality materials and live in an area with the right conditions, you could possibly get up to 50 years out of it.

Do you space cedar shakes?

As a general rule for shingles equilibrated to ambient conditions (about 12% moisture content), shingles should be installed about 1/8 to 1/4 in. (3 to 6 mm) apart whereas shakes should be spaced about 3/8 in.

Can you staple cedar shingles?

The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau prefers the use of nails, however if you choose to use staples they must be stainless steel Type 316 in locations within fifteen (15) miles of salt water. For locations outside of the salt water zone - stainless steel staples Type 304 or Type 316 must be used.

How do you seal a cedar shake roof?

1:563:56Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning and Sealing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe seal the roof with an algae and moss inhibiting sealer that also repels water now your roof isMoreWe seal the roof with an algae and moss inhibiting sealer that also repels water now your roof is protected.

How do you seal cedar without changing color?

Used to preserve the Cedar's natural color and appearance, transparent or semi-transparent solvent-borne penetrating stains are recommended. Transparent stains are similar in composition to semi-transparent stains but contain fewer pigments that provide color.

How do you seal outdoor cedarwood?

The best clear Cedar finish stain for outdoors is Linseed oil, hands down. Linseed oil is the primary ingredient in any oil finishes, which dries clear. You can find other clear water-based stains, but will not last nearly as long as a Linseed oil based stain will.

Do cedar roofs leak?

Some people prefer an aged wood look whereas some prefer a new clean wood appearance. As cedar roofs get older and begin to leak and entirely break down, it is best to replace the roof. Often times a 35-50 year old cedar roof will begin to dematerialize, rot and fall apart.

How to Sand and Stain Cedar Furniture | Home Guides | SF Gate

Use medium-grit sandpaper to sand the furniture. Rub back and forth, following the grain of the wood. Sand the entire surface, then follow up with the fine-grit sandpaper, using the same method.

How to get rid of mildew on shingles?

Wherever you find mildew, sponge on a 1-to-3 bleach-water mixture, scrub it, and let it soak in for 20 minutes, keeping it wet during this period .

Why is my cedar siding dark?

This discoloration is most likely caused by a combination of excessive tannins leeching from the wood and mildew growth.

What is the best material for siding?

front entryway. Cedar is a popular material for shingles and siding because natural oils in its heartwood (the dark red wood at the center of the tree) make it resistant to the weather and hungry insects. Even unpainted, cedar will last for years.

Can you stain cedar siding?

If you choose to stain cedar rather than paint it, there's a few things you should know . Staining cedar siding differs from application of paint and other finishes. Stains dry rapidly, and fresh stain applied over dried stain will show lap marks.

Can you powerwash shingles?

Powerwashing old shingles is not recommended. Weathering makes them soft, and it's almost impossible to avoid gouging them and to properly dry the water forced under them. Working time 4 days. Start to finish 3 weeks. Involves Painting. Advertisement.

Can you paint shingles after weathering?

You'll have to remove the mildew and prime the wood with a stain-blocking primer. You can prime and paint new shingles as soon as you have installed them, but since weathering can quickly alter the paintability of wood, if you don't get to the job within two weeks, you'll have to recondition the wood fibers.

How to hold shingles at the right height?

Use a rack to hold shingles at the right height and to arrange them to offset joints from one course to another.

What is the difference between shingles and shakes?

Shakes are split from cedar logs and are thicker and rougher than shingles . Shingles are sawn and are thinner, more uniform, and tapered.

What is R and R shingle?

Where I work, the most common shingle or shake sidewall product is R and R shingles. That stands for resawn and rebutted and means the shingles have parallel edges and square bottoms. What I’m installing here are 16-in.-long, raw, eastern white cedar R and Rs, with a 5-in. exposure.

How to cut wood grain?

Wood grain is rarely straight; most often it angles toward one edge or the other. Knife (or chisel) cuts will tend to split the wood along the grain. Cut in a direction so that if the shingle splits, the split will run to the scrap edge and not into the part you’re keeping. Grain direction can change, so you may need to cut from each end of the shingle.

Can you reinstall a shingle rack?

You could reinstall the rack for the first course of shingles, which goes directly over the undercourse, but I find it easier to skip the rack for this course. Just flush the bottoms of the first course with the undercourse shingles, offsetting the joints between these shingles by at least 11⁄2 in. from the undercourse joints. Photo 4

Do you need power tools to install cedar shingles?

5 When trimming the thinner section near the top of a shingle, tin snips work well. In fact, there’s no need for power tools to install cedar shingles. It’s pretty cool to work with a material so timeless that a carpenter from a century ago would immediately recognize the tools being used today.

Does cedar rot smell?

WHAT CAN GO WRONG: The same compounds that make cedar rot-resistant also give it its wonderful smell. But not everyone finds that smell wonderful. Some develop severe allergy symptoms, and worse is possible (all wood dust is considered a carcinogen). Wear dust protection when working with cedar.

What is vertical grain cedar?

Vertical-grain cedar is without a doubt the most versatile wood that can be used on the exterior of a home here in the Northwest. Decks, stairs, railings, exterior trim, siding, fascia, soffits—you name it, vertical-grain cedar is milled for all these applications.

How do I lay out bevel siding?

However, when doing bevel siding I always snap lines marking the top of the siding pieces, and with shingles there is no top (and they cover up the lines when applied, anyway.) What I do is snap lines on the wall marking where the butts of the rows will be. I then have reference lines to measure down and mark on the finished row of shingles, and snap a white chalk line to set my next row of shingles. Then, I just keep repeating the process.

What tree do you use for log building?

Harvesting trees for log building is an artform in and of itself—choosing the right tree for straightness and minimum twist. Back in the day, trappers would use birchwood for the bottom of dogsleds because it was stable, bendable, and hard.

Why do historic windows use vertical grain?

For the most part, historic windows in the Northwest used vertical-grain fir simply because fir is harder and more stable for joinery. At my company, Westbrook Restorations, we perform work on a lot of historic homes and I've seen firsthand what lasts over time.

Where is the starter course?

The starter course is the bottom row you install. Then, the "first row" is simply installed over the starter course, keeping the gaps between the shingles staggered from the gaps of the starter course. Locate the bottom of the next row, install, and so on all the way up the wall. And that's it!

Is cedar hard to dent?

There is a downside to cedar though: Because it's so soft, it's easy to mar or dent. Also, I've seen cedar used in restoration applications like historic double-hung windows, where a harder wood would have been a much better choice.

Can you use stainless steel nails on cedar?

For cedar, it's best just to use a stainless steel nail or staple, simply because the manufacturers that mill cedar recommend it. When installing shingles, use a good latex caulking at your open joints and apply it as you go so your calking joints overlap, just like the shingles overlap.

How much space between shingle and shingle?

Each shingle must be gapped from the shingle beside it by roughly 3/16". This gap allows for expansion of the shingle and prevents the shingles from buckling as and if they gain moisture.

How many nails should be driven per shingle?

There should not be more than two nails driven per shingle, regardless the of the width of the shingle.. There are two courses of shingles nailed on the bottom edge of a given plane. The starter course serves to fill the gaps in the first exposed course of shingles.

What nails should be driven above the exposure line?

Electro-galvanized, stainless or copper nails should be used to prevent corrosion and "bleeding". Ardox or ringed nails hold better than common shank nails. The nails should be driven 1 1/2" to 2" above the exposure line.

Does red come off of cedar shingles?

Red will not come off. In lieu of marking lines, you might choose to use a piece of strap tacked to the shingles at the exposure line for reference for the second course. finishing cedar shingles. Finishing off the plane at the top of a wall or roof is a matter of trimming back the shingles to fit.

What is a ridge cap roof?

Ridge cap shingles are square shingles that you will lay left to right along the top edge, or ridge, of the shed roof.

How to attach a second ridge cap?

Lay the second ridge cap so that it completely overlaps the adhesive portion of the first ridge cap. Secure it with two nails the same way you did with the first ridge cap. Repeat this until you reach the center of the ridge length.

Does Hunker roof have a single sloping side?

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. A shed roof is one that has a single sloping side. When shingling a shed roof with three-tab shingles (the standard, asphalt-covered, tar-backed shingles used on most residential roofs), you will come to a point at which the top row must be finished with another type of shingle ...

How far past the corner should a shingle run?

It should run past the corner by about 1 inch. Use a small level to hold it plumb and attach with two nails or staples. Less-expensive, low-grade shingles can be used as the starter course. Installing a piece on the other side of the corner butted against the first piece.

How many layers of shingles are in a starter course?

The starter course is made of two layers of shingles. Attach the second layer so its joints are offset at least 1-1/2 inches from the joints of the underlying layer. You will likely need to cut the last pieces in each row.

How to keep a golf course even?

Make a jig (as shown) as a quick, failsafe way to keep the courses even. Use a straight 1x4 as the guide and 1x2s as the hangers. Check that it's level and fasten it with 3-inch screws.

How many inches between shingles?

Because shingles can swell slightly, it is sometimes recommended that you provide 1/8-inch gaps between the shingles. However, as long as the shingles are not completely dried out, they will shrink slightly after installation, so gapping is usually not needed. Check with your supplier to be sure.

How to drive staples flush?

When you hit a stud, the staple may not sink in completely; drive the staple flush with a hammer. Use galvanized nails or staples for most of the job, but stainless-steel nails are the best choice wherever the heads will show.

Can you hand nail shingles?

You can hand- nail shingles, but the job goes faster with a pneumatic nailer or stapler. A stapler is used most often because it is less likely to split the shingles. Even if you are shingling just a single wall, renting power equipment will be worth the cost.

Do you need to plane shingle edges?

Build the inside corners. Follow the same steps you used for the outer corners. However, you will not need to plane any shingle edges.

Where to apply cement to shingles?

Apply the same roofing cement to the edges of the shingles along the top edge. You will apply the cement to the parts of the shingles that are exposed.

Where to use sealant on shingle?

Use more sealant along the top edges of all shingle strips.

What is a lean to shed roof?

Remember, a lean-to shed is just that – a lean-to! It leans against another structure, like your house, garage, or another shed.

What to cover nail heads with?

Cover the nail heads with roofing cement.

How to bend flashing in half?

Bend the length of flashing in half. A piece of lumber the length, or longer, of the flashing clamped with three or four quick clamps, will allow you to bend the piece in half quickly.

Can you add nail holes to a shed roof?

Adding more nail holes to a finished roof is not recommended. The method described above is an excellent way to finish your shed roof. On the other hand, if you have not yet completed your shed roof, then consider this method as a sturdier alternative to typical top row shingle installation. See step 1, above.

Can you put drip edge on top of shed roof?

If you’ve already put your drip edge on the top edge of your shed, then don’t move it .

What is replacement cedar shingles?

Replacement cedar shingles. Cedar shingles are a wonderful architectural element found on the exterior of homes. These shingles are nearly maintenance-free because they naturally repel water and require no stain or paint. They can be weathered prematurely and end up a beautiful silvery gray.

Can you use oil based stain on shingles?

If you are staining your shingles, you will need to use an oil-based stain. Buy the best stain you can afford because not all stains are created equal. Apply the stain according to the manufacturer’s instructions and use a brush that is suitable for an oil-based product.

Can you clean cedar shingles?

If your cedar shingles are new, you can skip cleaning them. They are ready to prime and paint or stain. If you already have shingles on the structure, you should make sure that they are clean. Using a power washer for this job will make it much easier and give you a better end result.

Is cedar shingles easy to finish?

There you have it. Ii's very easy to finish cedar shingles and it makes a naturally beautiful product more durable and long-lasting.

Do you need to paint shingles?

It is important to allow the shingles to dry completely. You don’t want to add paint or stain to moist shingles because the end result won’t be pleasing. You will probably have lots of bubbles and bumps. Considering moisture goes beyond making sure the shingles are dry.

Step 2—Allow The Shingles to Dry

• It is important to allow the shingles to dry completely. You don’t want to add paint or stain to moist shingles because the end result won’t be pleasing. You will probably have lots of bubbles and bumps. Considering moisture goes beyond making sure the shingles are dry. You also need …

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Step 3—Apply Primer

Step 4—Apply Paint Or Stain