How to Install Staggered Cedar Shake Siding

Cedar shake siding consists of small pieces of wood attached vertically to an exterior wall. Although cedar shakes provide a distinct appearance and are fairly inexpensive, they do wear naturally over time. If only some shakes are damaged, you can often replace those. If the damage is widespread, it may make more sense to replace all of the shakes. Shakes are usually installed with the bottom of each adjoining shake forming a level line. You can also install adjoining shakes so that the bottoms of adjoining shakes are not level. This design is commonly referred to as “staggering” the shakes.

Galvanized nails
Hammer
Straightedge
Pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Position one shake against one side of the bottom of the wall.
- 2
  Drive two galvanized nails through the shake and into the wall with a hammer. Drive the nails approximately 3/4 of an inch away from the edges of the shake, and just above the middle of the shake.
- 3
  Position a shake next to the first one, with about a 1/4-inch gap between the two shakes. This will allow the wood to expand with temperature changes without damaging the adjoining shake. Secure the shake to the wall with galvanized nails.
- 4
  Install shakes using the same method until the bottom of the wall is covered. These shakes constitute the starter course.
- 5
  Mark the shake at each end of the wall 1 inch below the galvanized nails, using a pencil.
- 6
  Draw a line connecting the two marks, using a straightedge as a guide. This mark is necessary to ensure that the bottom of the first course of shakes is level when installed.
- 7
  Draw a second line approximately 2 inches above the first line, using the same method. This second line will ensure that the staggered course of shakes is level.
- 8
  Position one shake against one end of the wall, with the bottom of the shake resting just above the lower pencil line. Secure the shake to the wall with two galvanized nails in the same manner used to secure the starter course to the wall.
- 9
  Position one shake against the first shake, with the bottom of the shake resting just above the higher pencil line. Secure the shake to the wall with two galvanized nails.
- 10
  Install shakes using the same method until you have installed the first course of shakes.
- 11
  Install the next course of shakes following the same method you used to install the first course. Install each successive course of shakes until the wall is covered.

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