how to start first course of cedar shakes off of deck

by Burley Murphy 4 min read

Use a chalk line to align the starter course of cedar shingles Install shingles using 2” weather-resistant nails Install the first course directly on top of the starter course Add remaining courses until you reach the roofline

Full Answer

How do you finish a cedar deck?

 · Install spaced sheathing. Cedar shingles must always be nailed to sheathing for ventilation. Install drip edge and valley flashing material. Install a starter course at the eaves of the roof, allowing a 4 cm (11/2 in.) Install the first course of wood shingles on top of the starter course. Click to see full answer.

What grade of cedar is used for cedar shakes?

Starter Course When installing cedar shakes, it is important to install a starter course at the eaves of the roof. The first layer of cedar shakes can be installed over the starter course. Keeping it Tidy Obviously, you want your cedar shakes to look perfect once you have completed the job. This means that your placement needs to be accurate.

How do you install cedar shake siding?

These “heavy resaws” are made from a block of cedar roughly 1-5⁄8 in. thick handsplit from a 24-in. log round. The block is then resawn corner to corner to create two tapered shakes between 3⁄4 in. and 5/4 in. thick at the butt. “Premium” refers to the percentage of edge grain to flat grain in the shake—Premium is 100% edge grain.

How do I choose the best cedar shake shingles?

Use a chalk line to align the starter course of cedar shingles; Install shingles using 2” weather-resistant nails; Install the first course directly on top of the starter course; Add remaining courses until you reach the roofline; Add the ridge cap across the peak of the roofline; As you can see, installing cedar shingles isn’t a difficult process.

How do I start my cedar shingles course first?

1:067:01How to Install Cedar Shingle Siding | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then gently push it against it with a little bit of an air gap. Don't force it tight you want toMoreAnd then gently push it against it with a little bit of an air gap. Don't force it tight you want to have a little bit of a gap there. All.

How do you start a cedar shake?

Start at the bottom of the wall at one end. Align the thick, lower edge of a cedar shake at the lower edge of the siding or shear wall. Align one of the vertical edges at the edge of the trim or corner of the wall. Attach the shake with a pair of 5d galvanized box nails and a shingle hatchet or hammer.

What do you put under cedar shakes?

Felt underlayment/tar paper: Felt materials are a traditional underlayment option for cedar shingles made from a base of natural materials like wood cellulose or synthetics like fiberglass and coated with a protective asphalt coating to repel moisture and debris.

How do I start shake siding?

Begin Installation in Corner Install the first starter-course piece at a corner. 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.

How long do cedar shakes last?

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.

What nails do you use for cedar shakes?

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.

Which side of cedar shingle faces out?

Are cedar shingles one sided, and if so, which side faces out? Cedar shingles have 2 (faces) sides and the best looking face is installed exposed to the weather. The face you like best is the one that should be installed exposed to the weather.

How do you install cedar shakes?

0:0020:52Your browser can't play this video. Learn more - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHey everybody how's it going my name is chris and in this video i'm going to show you exactly how toMoreHey everybody how's it going my name is chris and in this video i'm going to show you exactly how to install cedar shake siding. So let's get started and a big thank you to valspar for sponsoring this

Do you need underlayment for cedar shingles?

While cedar is one of the most versatile and durable materials you can use to build your roof, no roofing job is complete without a proper underlayment for protection. Underlayment is placed right over the roof deck beneath everything else, including insulation.

What do you put under cedar siding?

A vapor barrier is also recommended with cedar siding. The Dupont Tyvek DrainWrap is a quality barrier with built-in channels to channel away excess water. Regardless of new or remodeling installation, Dupont Tyvek DrainWrap weather-resistant barrier is recommended before installation of the cedar siding.

How much should cedar shingles overlap?

Cedar shingles should lap at least 18 cm (7 in.) over each side of valley flashing.

Where do you nail cedar shingles?

Nails should be long enough to penetrate underlying materials in the cedar shingles at least 3/4 inches, or all the way through. Use two fasteners to apply each Certi-label shingle or shake. Apply both nails 3/4 inches from the edge of each shake or shingle, and about 1 1/2 inches above the exposure line.

What is the spacing for 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. (9.52 mm) apart and not more than 1/2 in.

What is the minimum pitch for cedar shingles?

Minimum recommended pitch is 1/6th or 4-in-12 (4'' vertical rise for each 12'' horizontal run). Maximum recommended weather exposure is 10'' for 24” shakes. Along the eave line, a 36'' wide strip of Type 30 roofing felt is laid over the sheathing. The beginning or starter course at the eave line should be doubled.

How much should cedar shingles overlap?

Cedar shingles should lap at least 18 cm (7 in.) over each side of valley flashing.

How do you make cedar shake shingles?

1:448:46How to make Wood Shingles using hand tools - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI just start in the middle of the piece of wood. You can see I've started to split. And using theMoreI just start in the middle of the piece of wood. You can see I've started to split. And using the brake and the fro I can to a degree determine the way the split runs.

Can you split cedar shakes?

You can also choose to go with actual cedar shakes, which have a rugged appearance. Unlike standard cedar shingles, which are sawn, cedar shakes are split. This gives them a less uniform look as the cut typically follows the grain of the wood. Uneven structure does make shakes more vulnerable to wind and snow.

What is cedar shingles?

Cedar shingles are machine cut from a solid block of either red or white cedar. In addition to being a visually attractive option for roofing, it also offers several advantages over traditional shingles and other wood products.

Is cedar a good material for a roof?

Thanks to its lightweight, straight grain pattern and uniform consistency, cedar is an easier material to work with than many other kinds of wood. Cedar also has natural insulating properties that asphalt shingles lack, helping you save money on heating in the summertime and air conditioning in the winter.

What is a sanded roof?

Sanded shingles are smooth and even on both sides, which provide a less stylized look for your shed. You can also choose to go with actual cedar shakes, which have a rugged appearance. Unlike standard cedar shingles, which are sawn, cedar shakes are split.

What is cedar breather?

Cedar breather creates a space between the cedar shingles and the roof. This space allows the shingles to dry more quickly, preventing warping and cupping, prolonging the life of the shingles. Cedar breather comes in 200-square-foot rolls and should be installed over the roofing felt with nails or tacks.

What is the best siding for a shed?

If you’re willing to spend a little extra, Cedar roofing and siding is an excellent choice for finishing off your shed. Not only does cedar offer a natural beauty that other sidings and roofing options don’t, but it will also do an excellent job of protecting your investment thanks to its weather-resistant qualities.

Can you power wash a deck?

If mold or mildew is present, it needs to be killed. It’s imperative that you never power wash your deck. After it’s clean, you need to let your deck dry thoroughly prior to apply your finishing product.

Can you use semi transparent stain on cedar?

Semi-transparent stains should be applied to the full length of boards to avoid pigment lap marks. Be careful not to apply more semi-transparent product that the cedar can absorb. PRO TIPS: For a more even application, try working in the shade because stain products will dry at a slower rate.

What to use to clean mildew off deck?

Soap and water will do in most cases, but if there are any signs of mildew you will have to use a diluted oxygen bleach solution. You also need to remove debris between the boards to allow for proper drainage throughout the year. There are also deck cleaning products on the market.

Replies

Roofers use a tool... I know it's got a name, I even own one... a flat-point shovel with a large raised rib on the back, for leverage. That's as easy as it gets with well-attached cedar shingles or shakes. Sometimes it seems like it would be faster and easier to remove the skip too, or even the rafters!

Highlights

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How long does cedar shake last?

If applied and maintained correctly, a cedar roof can last 30 to 50 years or more.

Why do shingles bow?

Bowing: Bowing is a common condition in wide shingles that absorb too much moisture over time. The moisture causes them to bow and crack near their centers. This condition requires repair to preserve the roof's structural integrity.

What is the most popular type of shingles?

There are many different types of wooden shingles, and among the most popular are cedar shingles. Cedar is a beautiful wood acquired from the cedar tree, which is a common coniferous tree native to the United States. Cedar shakes are normally applied to house roofs or sides, creating a beautiful, scale-like effect.

Step 1, Inspect Existing Siding

Step 2, Measure Twice, Cut Once

  • As with almost all home projects requiring measuring and cutting, be sure to plan, measure and cut carefully to avoid unnecessary waste and to insure that the finished pieces will fit together accurately and tightly. Have scrap wood handy as it may be necessary to make sacrificial cuts to insure that siding will fit precisely. Once the sacrificial pieces have been determined to fit well, u…
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Step 3, Begin at The Bottom

  • Starting at the bottom of a wall, place the row of the starter strip of the #1 wood shingles in place. This will be the initial point of reference and will determine the placement of the rest of the shingles. Using the nail gun, attach this starter row securely to the existing siding and through the framing 2x4s of the wall structure. Next, using a tape measure, level and the chalk box, snap a st…
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Step 4, Choices of Design

  • After the first row of cedar shake shingles has been firmly placed on the wall, the design choice can be made. Shingles can be made to run in even rows or produce a staggered effect. To keep the cedar shakes even, align the bottoms of each shingle flush. If a staggered effect is desired, lower the bottom the shingles to differing levels. This will ...
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Step 5, Repeat The Process

  • Progressing up the side of the wall to the roof, repeat the process of measuring, leveling and snapping a chalk line to install the remaining cedar shake siding.
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