How To Nail Cedar Siding

Experienced carpenters know that the nails from one piece of siding must not pass through the siding below.

How to nail cedar siding. Fasten the plank with galvanized ring shank nails long enough to penetrate the siding sheathing and into the wall studs at least 1 1 4 inch. Nailing the bottoms allows for easy removal and secures the top of the lower board. Step 4 make a swing stick photo by david carmack. Nail placement depends on the siding pattern and width the key is to fasten the siding securely without preventing it from moving in response to the moisture content in the air.

Associate editor daniel s. The nails we are using f. Place nail just above the overlap. When you hit a stud the staple may not sink in completely.

Drive nails through the bottom of the board about 1. If clapboard isn t long enough to span a wall splice two together with a 45 degree scarf joint. Normally you nail either the top of the siding or the bottom of the siding but not both. In general each piece of siding must be nailed independently.

Drive the staple flush with a hammer. Where possible the bottom of the board that is placed across the top of the windows should coincide with the window cap. Apply sealant to the ends fit them together and drive one nail through the overlapping board inch to the side of the joint. Bevel siding should be face nailed to studs with 1 1 4 inch penetration into solid wood using one nail per piece spaced at a maximum of 24 inches on center.

Use galvanized nails or staples for most of the job but stainless steel nails are the best choice wherever the heads will show. The main reason for nailing the top of the board is to hide the fasteners but nailing the tops leaves the bottoms a little loose giving bugs possible entry points. An inch above the siding s butt edge drive in one 7d nail into each stud. Siding should be fastened to each stud or furring strip with nails spaced at a maximum of 24 in.