Staggered cedar shake siding gives a home a textured, handcrafted look, but its durability depends on careful layout and moisture control. The installation process involves preparing the wall, setting a level starter course, overlapping shakes correctly, and flashing openings and transitions. Cedar products vary in size and installation requirements, so the manufacturer’s instructions and local building code should guide every project. The steps below explain the general process and the details that help prevent leaks, uneven courses, and premature siding failure.
What Staggered Cedar Shake Siding Means
Cedar shakes are individual wood siding pieces, often split or sawn, with a more pronounced texture than the thinner, smoother cedar shingles. In a staggered pattern, the joints between pieces shift from course to course rather than lining up in continuous vertical lines. This creates a varied appearance while helping shed water.
“Staggered” describes the joint layout, not a single product size or installation method. Some products are designed for straight courses with offset joints; others have irregular edges or are packaged for a specific exposure. Before work begins, identify whether the product is intended for siding, confirm its coverage and exposure requirements, and follow the installation instructions supplied by its manufacturer.
Check Code, Product Instructions, and Wall Conditions
Start by checking local building requirements and the product’s technical documentation. Rules can address weather-resistant barriers, flashing, fire-resistance measures, clearances, and fastening. Requirements may differ by location, building type, and exposure to wind-driven rain. Cedar siding does not automatically meet a required fire-resistance rating, so verify applicable rules before choosing or installing it.
Inspect the wall framing and sheathing for damage, rot, or uneven areas. Repair problems before covering the wall. Cedar shakes are not a substitute for a weather barrier or structural sheathing, and they should not be installed over a wet or deteriorated wall. If the project involves extensive rot, structural movement, or uncertain code requirements, a qualified siding contractor or building professional can assess the conditions.
Tools and Materials for Cedar Shake Siding
Typical materials include the specified cedar shakes, a compatible weather-resistant barrier, flashing, corrosion-resistant siding nails, and trim pieces. Depending on the wall assembly and local requirements, the project may also call for a drainage gap or rainscreen components. Use products approved for the siding system rather than assuming that any tape, sealant, or fastener is suitable.
Common tools include a tape measure, level, chalk line, utility knife, circular saw or handsaw, hammer or nailer, and a square. Eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, and a dust mask or respirator are important when cutting wood. Follow tool manufacturers’ safety instructions, and use stable scaffolding or ladders appropriate to the work height.
Prepare the Wall and Weather-Resistant Barrier
Remove old siding as needed and make sure the wall assembly is sound. Install the weather-resistant barrier over the sheathing in the manner required by its manufacturer and local code. Overlap and tape seams as specified, and integrate the barrier with window, door, roof, and base flashing so water drains outward. A barrier installed with reversed overlaps or poorly coordinated flashing can direct water behind the siding.
Plan for drainage and ventilation. Many siding assemblies use furring strips or another approved rainscreen approach to create a gap behind the wood, allowing incidental moisture to drain and the wall to dry. Whether a rainscreen is required or recommended depends on the product, climate, and wall design. Do not block intended drainage paths at the bottom or top of the wall; use the system’s specified screening and clearances.
Before covering the wall, install or coordinate flashing at the foundation line, corners, windows, doors, roof-wall intersections, and other transitions. Flashing should direct water over the layer below it. Cedar siding is vulnerable to prolonged moisture exposure, so details at openings and horizontal ledges deserve particular attention.
Plan the Staggered Layout
Measure the wall height and length, then decide how courses will finish at the top, bottom, corners, and openings. Avoid starting with a narrow strip at the top if a small adjustment to the starter course can create a more balanced finish. Check the product instructions for the permitted exposure—the amount of each shake left visible after the next course overlaps it.
Lay out courses with a level or chalk line, and plan joint positions before fastening. Stagger adjacent-course joints so they do not form continuous vertical seams. A common approach is to keep joints in neighboring courses apart by the amount required by the product instructions; the exact spacing is not universal. Also avoid placing joints too close together or repeating a conspicuous pattern. Random-looking work still needs deliberate joint separation and consistent coverage.
Mix shakes from several bundles as installation proceeds. Natural cedar varies in color, grain, and texture, and blending bundles helps prevent obvious patches. Set aside pieces with damage or defects. If the product calls for a particular orientation or selection process, follow those directions rather than relying on appearance alone.
Install the Starter Course
The starter course establishes the angle and alignment of the siding above it. Install the specified starter strip or a double layer of shakes if the product instructions call for one. Keep the first course level and maintain the required clearance from soil, roofs, decks, and other surfaces. These clearances help reduce water absorption and decay; the exact dimensions depend on code, product instructions, and the adjoining materials.
Position the starter pieces so they cover the wall consistently and support the lower edge of the next course. Do not allow shake ends to align in a way that creates a direct route for water into the wall. Check the starter line across the entire elevation before continuing. Small errors at the bottom can become more noticeable as each course is added.
Install Each Course of Staggered Cedar Shakes
- Set the first full course. Follow the planned exposure and use a level or chalk line to keep the course even. Keep shake edges and butt ends positioned as specified for the product.
- Fasten according to the instructions. Use the specified nail type, length, placement, and quantity. Fasteners generally need to penetrate the required framing or sheathing, as the system and code require. Drive nails flush without crushing or splitting the cedar; overdriven fasteners can damage the wood and reduce holding strength.
- Begin the next course with an offset. Shift joints so they do not line up with joints in the course below. Maintain the required separation between joints, including around short pieces and wall edges.
- Maintain exposure and coverage. Use a story pole, gauge, or marked reference to keep the visible height consistent. Check the course periodically with a level, especially across long walls.
- Continue upward. Work across each course before moving up, blending pieces from different bundles. Keep drainage openings and required clearances unobstructed.
Do not assume that a particular nail pattern or exposure is appropriate for every shake. Product thickness, width, exposure, wind conditions, and installation method all affect fastening details. Follow the manufacturer’s published specifications and any project-specific requirements.
Handle Windows, Doors, Corners, and Wall Transitions
At windows and doors, install flashing in the correct sequence with the weather-resistant barrier. Shakes should not cover drainage paths or interfere with window operation. Cut pieces neatly around openings, maintain specified clearances, and avoid placing vulnerable butt joints directly above a window or door corner unless the system detail allows it. Use trim and flashing details designed for the particular wall assembly.
At outside and inside corners, use the specified corner trim or an approved interweaving method. Keep the water-shedding layers continuous, and avoid tightly trapping moisture between wood and trim. At roof-wall intersections, step flashing and other required roof details must be integrated with the siding and wall barrier. These are leak-prone areas; follow the applicable roofing and siding details rather than relying on caulk alone.
Where siding meets masonry, decks, or a roof, maintain the required separation and use suitable flashing. Do not bury cedar in soil or leave it in contact with surfaces that hold water. Sealant may be appropriate for specific joints, but it should not replace flashing or block drainage and ventilation openings.
Cutting, Fastening, and Wood Protection
Cut shakes with sharp tools and support them to reduce splintering. Make cuts carefully around openings and trim, and follow product guidance on edge treatment. Cedar naturally resists decay better than many untreated woods, but it is not immune to moisture, ultraviolet exposure, insects, or weathering. Keep the siding dry during storage and installation, and protect it from prolonged contact with wet ground.
Use fasteners compatible with cedar and the surrounding materials. Inappropriate metals can corrode or cause staining. The product manufacturer may specify stainless steel or another corrosion-resistant fastener based on the installation environment. Do not substitute staples or general-purpose nails unless the instructions explicitly permit them.
Finishes vary. Some homeowners prefer cedar’s natural weathering, while others apply a stain or coating. Check whether the siding should be finished before installation, whether all faces and cut ends need treatment, and how often maintenance is required. Use a finish labeled for exterior wood siding and apply it according to its directions.
Common Installation Mistakes to Avoid
- Lining up joints: Continuous vertical joints can create a less attractive pattern and undermine the intended staggered layout.
- Ignoring exposure limits: Too little overlap can allow water intrusion; excessive overlap can change the appearance and coverage.
- Skipping flashing: Caulk alone is not a dependable substitute for correctly lapped flashing at windows, doors, roofs, and transitions.
- Driving nails too deeply: Crushed or split cedar can be more vulnerable to water and may not hold as intended.
- Blocking drainage: Sealing the bottom of a rainscreen or covering weep paths can trap moisture behind the siding.
- Installing over damaged sheathing: Concealing rot or water damage can lead to expensive repairs later.
- Failing to blend bundles: Installing one bundle at a time can create visible color blocks across the wall.
Inspect and Maintain the Finished Siding
After installation, inspect the wall for uneven courses, exposed fasteners where they are not intended, split shakes, damaged flashing, and blocked drainage openings. Check that joints are staggered and that transitions shed water outward. Correct problems before applying a finish or closing up related trim details.
Inspect cedar shake siding periodically, especially after severe weather and around windows, doors, roof intersections, and the base of the wall. Look for loose or cracked shakes, peeling finish, staining, soft wood, and signs of persistent moisture. Replace damaged pieces using the product’s repair method, and investigate the source of any recurring wetness instead of simply covering the evidence.
Cleaning and refinishing schedules depend on the exposure, climate, product, and finish. Follow the coating manufacturer’s maintenance directions, and avoid aggressive cleaning that can damage wood fibers or force water behind the siding. Prompt maintenance helps preserve the appearance and performance of a staggered cedar shake installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart should joints be staggered?
There is no single spacing rule for every cedar shake product. The manufacturer’s instructions specify the minimum joint separation and any limits on repeating patterns. Use those requirements while ensuring that joints in neighboring courses do not align.
Does cedar shake siding need a rainscreen?
A rainscreen can provide a drainage and drying space behind siding, but whether it is required depends on local code, climate, product instructions, and wall design. Confirm the appropriate assembly before installation and preserve its drainage openings.
Can cedar shakes be installed directly over old siding?
That depends on the existing wall, the new product, and local requirements. The underlying surface must be sound, flat enough for the system, and able to support the specified fasteners. Covering existing siding can also conceal moisture damage or complicate flashing. Check the manufacturer’s instructions and have the wall evaluated when its condition is uncertain.
What fasteners should be used?
Use only fasteners specified for the shake product and installation conditions. Cedar can react with unsuitable metals, so corrosion resistance and material compatibility matter. Confirm nail type, length, placement, and penetration requirements in the product documentation and applicable code.