Shake siding adds texture and dimension to a home, whether it is made from cedar, fiber cement, or vinyl. A successful installation depends on more than lining up attractive panels: the wall needs proper flashing, drainage, fastening, and careful layout. The exact method varies by product, so the manufacturer’s installation instructions and local building codes should guide every project. This guide explains the main steps, key material differences, common mistakes, and safety considerations involved in installing shake siding.
What Shake Siding Is and How It Works
Shake siding recreates the look of hand-split or sawn wood shakes. It is sold as individual pieces, panels, or larger sections, depending on the material. Individual cedar shakes offer a traditional appearance, while fiber-cement and vinyl products often come in panels designed to imitate staggered shakes.
Shake siding is an exterior cladding, not a waterproof wall by itself. Rain can pass through gaps or behind siding, so a durable assembly relies on a water-resistive barrier, properly integrated flashing, and a path for moisture to drain or dry. The siding sheds most water; the layers behind it provide important backup protection.
Product instructions take priority. Panel dimensions, required clearances, fastener types, fastening locations, joint details, and permitted wall assemblies differ among brands and materials. A technique suitable for cedar shakes may not be allowed for a particular fiber-cement or vinyl product.
Choose the Right Shake Siding Material
| Material | Typical advantages | Important considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar | Natural grain, traditional appearance, and the ability to stain or paint | Requires maintenance and careful moisture management; installation details depend on the shake and wall assembly |
| Fiber cement | Stable appearance and resistance to rot and insects compared with wood | Heavy and brittle at edges; cutting can create hazardous silica dust, so use approved dust controls |
| Vinyl | Relatively low maintenance and lightweight panels | Must be allowed to expand and contract; panels should not be fastened tightly or distorted |
Before buying, check the product’s approved applications, exposure limits, required sheathing, flashing details, and warranty conditions. Confirm that the chosen product is appropriate for the home’s climate and wall construction. For fiber cement, review the manufacturer’s cutting and dust-control requirements. For cedar, find out whether the shakes need treatment, back-priming, or a particular finish.
Tools and Materials for Installing Shake Siding
The required tools depend on the product, but common supplies include a tape measure, chalk line, level, square, utility knife, ladder or scaffold, and manufacturer-approved fasteners. Cedar may require a siding hatchet or saw. Fiber cement may call for specialized shears or a saw with an appropriate dust-collection system. Vinyl generally requires vinyl siding tools for trimming and unlocking panels.
Materials may include shake panels or individual shakes, starter strips, trim, corrosion-resistant nails or screws, flashing, and a code-compliant water-resistive barrier. Some products also require joint flashing, corner details, or specific accessories. Use only fasteners permitted by the manufacturer and suitable for the exposure conditions; incompatible or undersized fasteners can lead to staining, corrosion, loose siding, or product failure.
Plan the Wall and Check Local Requirements
Measure each wall and sketch the siding layout before ordering or cutting material. Account for windows, doors, corners, utility penetrations, gables, and trim. Include waste in the order, especially when the design requires a particular pattern or the walls have many openings. Keep product labels and installation instructions available during the work.
Check with the local building department about permits, code requirements, and any rules for exterior wall assemblies. Requirements may address fire performance, wind resistance, fastening, water-resistive barriers, and clearances near grade or roofs. Older homes may contain lead-based paint or other hazardous materials. If renovation work may disturb hazardous substances, consult qualified professionals and applicable federal, state, and local guidance before proceeding.
Inspect the wall before covering it. Repair damaged sheathing and framing, address leaks and rot, and make sure the wall is reasonably flat. Siding should not be used to conceal an unresolved moisture problem. Windows, doors, roof-to-wall intersections, and other openings need sound flashing details that direct water outward.
Prepare the Wall for Shake Siding
Install the water-resistive barrier
Install the specified water-resistive barrier over the wall sheathing, following its manufacturer’s instructions and local code. Overlap and tape seams as directed, and integrate the barrier with window, door, and penetration flashing in a shingle-style arrangement so upper layers drain over lower layers. The correct sequence varies by wall design, so do not rely on a generic detail when the siding or window manufacturer specifies another approved method.
Some assemblies require a drainage space or rainscreen behind the siding; others use a different approved configuration. A drainage gap can help manage moisture, but it should not be added or omitted without checking the siding instructions, project design, and code requirements.
Flash openings and transitions
Use flashing at windows, doors, wall corners, roof intersections, and other locations where water could collect or enter. Flashing should be integrated with the water-resistive barrier so water is directed to the exterior rather than behind it. Follow the flashing and window manufacturers’ details, including the specified sill, jamb, and head flashing materials.
Plan the siding termination at the foundation, rooflines, decks, and trim. Maintain the product-specific clearances from soil, roofing, walking surfaces, and other materials. Required distances vary by siding type and location; use the manufacturer’s instructions and local code rather than guessing.
How to Install Shake Siding
Mark layout lines and establish the starter course
Use a level and chalk line to establish a straight reference line for the first course. A crooked starter course can make every row above it look uneven. Install the product’s specified starter strip or starter detail, keeping it level and positioned to provide the required bottom edge and overlap. Do not assume the first course can be fastened directly to the wall without a starter component.
For panel products, identify the intended exposure—the visible height of each course—and mark guide lines accordingly. For individual shakes, establish the course spacing recommended by the manufacturer. Follow specified offsets and joint spacing. The layout should avoid narrow slivers at wall ends and should keep joints away from vulnerable locations when the product instructions require it.
Install the first course
Position the first shake panel or row according to the product’s starter detail. Check level, alignment, and the specified overlap before fastening. Use the approved fasteners and drive them into the required framing or sheathing. Fasteners should be placed at the specified locations and depth; overdriving, underdriving, or fastening outside the approved area can damage siding or compromise its performance.
For individual shakes, keep the required spacing between pieces and follow the specified exposure. Cedar shakes may require particular joint spacing to allow for expansion and drainage. Do not close joints tightly unless the product instructions explicitly call for that detail.
Build successive courses with staggered joints
Continue upward, checking each course for level and consistent exposure. Stagger vertical joints to avoid creating continuous lines through multiple rows. Many shake products have specific joint-offset rules or panel patterns; use those rather than repeating a simple pattern that could create a visible seam or weaken the appearance.
At panel ends, corners, and openings, use the specified trim and joint details. Keep fasteners clear of panel edges where required, and do not force a panel into place. On vinyl products, leave the specified room for movement and avoid pulling panels tight against trim. For fiber cement, support panels during cutting and handling to reduce breakage. For cedar, select and place shakes according to the product’s grading and installation guidance.
Work around windows, doors, corners, and penetrations
Measure carefully around openings and cut siding to fit the trim and flashing detail. Keep cut edges protected or sealed where the manufacturer requires it, particularly with fiber-cement products. Do not block weep paths or drainage openings in windows, trim, or flashing. Sealant is not a substitute for correctly integrated flashing, and some siding details require specific joints to remain unsealed.
Use approved trim pieces and corner details at outside and inside corners. Around pipes, vents, lights, and other penetrations, install compatible flashing or mounting blocks that shed water and support the fixture. Follow electrical and fire-safety requirements for exterior fixtures, and avoid fastening through hidden wiring or plumbing.
Finish the top course and gables
At the top of a wall or gable, measure and cut the final course to fit the specified trim or termination detail. Keep the required clearances near roof surfaces and maintain a drainage path. Install any required top trim, flashing, or closure components without trapping water behind the siding.
Material-Specific Installation Notes
Cedar shake siding
Cedar is a natural product, so pieces may vary in grain, thickness, and appearance. Blend material from several bundles to distribute color and texture differences. Install shakes with the exposure, spacing, fasteners, and number of fasteners specified for the product and wall assembly. The Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau provides product and installation guidance; the specific manufacturer’s instructions should still govern the chosen product.
Finishing requirements vary. Some cedar products benefit from factory treatment or back-priming, while others have different recommendations. Use a finish compatible with the wood and intended exposure, and maintain it according to the coating manufacturer’s directions. Keep cedar clear of persistent ground moisture and avoid details that hold water against the wall.
Fiber-cement shake siding
Fiber cement is heavier than vinyl and can chip or crack if mishandled. Use the manufacturer’s approved cutting method, support the material during cuts, and follow required personal protective equipment and dust-control instructions. Cutting fiber cement can release respirable crystalline silica, a serious health hazard; OSHA guidance emphasizes controlling dust at the source and using appropriate work practices.
Use the specified fasteners, fastening pattern, joint treatment, and clearances. Do not assume that a generic wood-siding nail or a caulked joint is acceptable. Follow the manufacturer’s published details for end joints, corners, paint, and exposed cut edges.
Vinyl shake siding
Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature. Fasteners should be installed in the center of the provided slots where instructed, leaving the specified movement allowance. Panels should hang freely rather than being pulled tight. Keep courses straight and avoid fastening in a way that locks the siding against trim or prevents movement.
Use vinyl-compatible accessories and follow the product’s instructions for cutting, interlocking panels, and finishing around openings. Do not assume vinyl shake panels use the same exposure or fastening pattern as horizontal vinyl lap siding.
Common Installation Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping flashing: Water can enter at windows, doors, and roof transitions even when the siding itself is installed neatly.
- Ignoring product instructions: Fastener placement, exposure, joint gaps, and clearances are product-specific.
- Starting out of level: A poor starter course creates visible alignment problems higher on the wall.
- Using the wrong fasteners: Incompatible materials or incorrect lengths can cause corrosion, staining, or loose siding.
- Blocking drainage: Sealant, trim, or siding installed across weep paths can trap water.
- Overdriving fasteners: Excessive force can damage siding or prevent vinyl panels from moving as intended.
- Working without dust controls: Cutting fiber cement without suitable controls can expose workers to hazardous silica dust.
Safety and When to Hire a Professional
Exterior siding work involves ladders, sharp tools, heavy materials, and changing weather. Use stable access equipment, wear eye and hand protection, and follow the product’s safety instructions. Fiber-cement cutting requires particular attention to silica exposure controls. Electrical fixtures and service lines should be handled only by people qualified to do so.
A professional siding contractor may be the safer choice when the home has extensive rot, complicated roof-to-wall intersections, multiple stories, unusual wall construction, or suspected hazardous materials. A qualified installer can also help confirm that flashing, ventilation, drainage, and product-specific requirements work together. Ask for proof of insurance, references, a detailed written scope, and documentation of the products and installation details.
Inspect the Finished Installation
Before considering the job complete, walk the exterior and check that courses are straight, joints follow the required pattern, and trim is secure. Look for cracked pieces, exposed or overdriven fasteners, gaps that do not match the instructions, blocked drainage openings, and areas where siding contacts soil or roofing. Confirm that cut edges and painted surfaces received the required treatment.
Keep extra material, product labels, and installation documents for future repairs. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance recommendations, and inspect the siding periodically—especially after severe weather. Promptly investigate stains, loose pieces, peeling finish, or damp areas inside the home; these can signal a flashing or moisture problem that should be corrected before further damage occurs.
Reliable Installation Resources
For project-specific details, consult the siding manufacturer’s current installation guide, the local building department, and the applicable code. Useful technical resources include the James Hardie Resource Center for fiber-cement product instructions, The Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau for cedar guidance, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s silica resource for information on silica hazards and controls. Always verify that guidance applies to the exact product and wall assembly being installed.