How to Combine Lap Siding & Shakes

Use a chalk line with a string level to mark a horizontal line across the bottom of your wall even with the top of the foundation or 2 inches up from the ground or concrete if the foundation top is not visible. Start your lap siding along the line from the left corner. Install a full-length board with its bottom edge on the line. Nail the siding in place with one 1 ½-inch roofing nail every 12 inches, two inches down from the top edge of the siding along the length of the piece.

Butt the next siding piece up to the first on its right end and nail it in place in the same way with its bottom edge on the chalk line. Continue adding full planks as far as possible. Measure and cut a piece to fit at the end of the wall and nail it in place. Use a miter saw for a square cut.

Use the chalk line to mark a line three inches down from the top edge of the siding. Install a second row in the same manner, with its bottom edge on the new chalk line. Continue adding siding up the wall to the point you intend to start the shakes. Measure, mark and cut siding with a jigsaw to fit around doors, windows and other obstructions.

Use the chalk line to mark a line three inches down from the top of the top row of siding. This will mark the butt line for the first row of shakes. Start at the edge as you did with the siding. Fit the first shake in place with its thick edge against the chalk line. Nail it in place with two nails at the top end less than two inches from the top of the shake. Butt the next piece up to the first and nail it in place. Continue adding shingles with their thick edges on the chalk line to the end of the wall.

Measure and cut a shake to fit at the end of the row, scoring it with a utility knife until it can be broken along the scored line. Nail it in place as before. Measure up at the beginning of the line to a point two inches down from the top of the first shake, marking the point with chalk. Take note of how far up from the bottom of the shake your mark is. Measure up from the bottom of the last shake and mark at the same distance.

Stretch the chalk line between your two marked points and snap a line across the shakes. Install the next row of shakes with its thick edge along this line. Continue adding rows of shakes to the top of the wall. Cut enough shakes to height to fit from the top of the wall to the last chalk line. Tape them together in bundles of four to pieces pieces and cut them to length on a miter saw. Nail these cut pieces along the top of the wall to complete the look.