Cedar siding: shake, shingle and bevel siding

Among all the varieties of siding available there is a special place for cedar shingles, shakes, and beveled siding. Cedar offers an immediate warm rustic character to any home or building. This natural alpine vernacular is popular in both traditional and contemporary designs and can be left natural, stained with a transparent or semi-transparent finish.

One of the great benefits of this type of siding is the rustic appearance as it weathers over time, and the ability to still appreciate the natural wood beauty even when stained. Cedar as well is inherently resistant to rot and insects when compared to many other wood types. It has both antibacterial and antifungal properties. This is a wood siding which limits the possibility of excess warping, rotting and cracking. Of course with a natural wood siding, there is still the need for regular maintenance. Replacement of damaged siding is relatively simple and can be done in a localized fashion.

Types of Cedar siding in Vancouver:

Cedar shake siding

A shake is similar to shingle, but is heavier in appearance. Shakes are hand split, replicating the appearance of an axe or mallet cut, and typically used for roofing. Cedar shakes are usually cleaved from a block of cedar which leaves the surfaces with more irregularities and is thicker than cedar shingles.

Shakes use the best quality cedar wood but still come in several grades and varieties. There is medium or heavy shake, and heavy standard grade or heavy #1 blue grade; heavy #1 blue grade being the premium of the shake qualities. Cedar shakes provide tremendous curb appeal and gives the home a distinctive and unique appearance. Cedar shakes are typically never stained or finished and left to weather naturally. They provide a longer service life when compared to shingles.

Cedar shingle siding

This type of siding is similar in appearance to shakes, but slightly thinner and more regular in appearance. They taper from the butt end widening to front leading edge providing a water shedding characteristic. They are installed on either the wall or roof.

As with any wood product, there is a definitive warm and natural appearance with shingle siding and roofing. Over the past few years, the popularity of this type of siding has been growing. Cedar shingles can either be left in its natural state to weather to a grey colour, or can be finished with a stain or paint. Typically only the siding is finished with a stain or paint, and roofing is left in its natural state to weather.

Cedar bevel siding

This type of wood siding is probably the most used and sought after. As the name implies the upper edge is thinner with the bottom exposed edge being thicker; nominally 1/8” at the top and 11/16” at the bottom where it is exposed. The top edge is overlapped by the board or trims above.

This is not only a durable and elegant siding, but versatile for both traditional and contemporary designs. As with most wood siding, it is stained or painted, but one can leave cedar exposed to weather, if this is the preferred aesthetic.

Vertical cedar siding or cedar board and batten

A popular alternative is to use board and batten. There is a rich heritage for this style of siding in our region. The boards are typically eight to ten inches wide placed vertically and with a ¼” gap between each board. A 1x3 batten is placed over the gap to conceal the joint. It gives a great texture to the appearance of the building siding. The boards are usually a nominal 1” thick giving the siding a long service life.

Cedar shiplap or cedar lap siding

This is an interesting option and similar, in function, to tongue and groove siding. This type of siding is quite popular for the cottage or farm aesthetic and used in modernist home designs as well.  With this type of siding the tongue is milled along the top and placed at the back edge, and at the bottom of the board the tongue is milled to the front edge. This way so one board can lap over the tongue of the other board and a small channel is left along the face of the cladding. This creates a consistent pattern. The siding can be installed both vertically and horizontally, and the channel high-lights the individual siding board.

The boards come in various sizes from 1x4 to 1x12 with the most popular being 1x6.

Cedar tongue and groove siding

Tongue and groove siding uses a tongue centered on the board to one side and alternately a groove to the center of the board on the other side. As with shiplap, the siding is used both vertically and horizontally; however, the boards join tightly without leaving a channel. There is only a thin joint providing a more monolithic appearance when compared to ship lap. It is ideal for contemporary designs and used not only for siding, but soffits as well.

Painting cedar siding

Exterior cedar siding may be stained or painted; however, staining or a semi-transparent stain is the preferred method to protect cedar. Paint will typically peel, even if properly prepared and primed.

Applying stain (clear or semi-transparent) should be done within the first two weeks of being installed. Ensure the surface is clean and dry, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Never apply the stain during inclement weather. Both sides of the siding should be primed prior to installation and the final coat of stain.

Installing cedar siding

The method of fastening exterior cedar siding should be considered carefully. After all, the durability and beauty of the cladding depends on the correct selection of materials and correct installation methods.

To install siding, nails made of stainless steel, aluminum or cadmium plated is preferred. These nails or fasteners resist corrosion. Cedar itself has oils within its matrix that can react with metals and accelerate corrosion. Also, choose nails or fasteners with sufficient length to penetrate through your chosen type of siding and the building’s sheathing or strapping. Ask you fastener provider for recommendations on the required length and type. 

Cedar siding is best installed over a vented space which allows airflow to the concealed side of the siding as well. This is best done with a purpose made entangled mesh or a wood furring of some type. As well, use flashing to shelter and compartmentalize the cladding. This is the best approach, and the method to accomplish this depends on the type of siding, and the building configuration. Talk to us for the best options.

Pros of Cedar siding

Cedar siding is a popular and attractive way to clad a building; however, one needs to understand the pros and cons of cedar before selecting it as a siding. We provide the following information to analyze this in more detail.
1) Cedar does not warp or split
Properly cured and manufactured cedar siding has a limited tendency to warp or split. It is stable and provides a durable exterior finish and trim. Cedar has antibacterial and anti fungal properties and resists decay.
2) Cedar does not emit resin
Finished cedar, especially western red, is non-resinous and free of pitch. When exposed to heat and sun, the wood will not secret resin. 
3) Beauty given by nature
Unlike man-made composites and plastics, cedar has a natural and varied beauty. Each piece of wood is somewhat unique and weathers differently. This is what gives it a warm and rustic character man made products cannot reproduce.
4) Sound insulation
Wood has natural insulating properties which not only add some insulating properties during the winter months but gives some sound attenuating properties to your wall.
5) Environmental friendliness
Cedar is a natural product from a renewable resource that grows relatively quickly. Some woods like bamboo or poplar may grow faster, but they are not ideal for exterior siding and tend to warp and split.

Cons of Cedar siding

1) High price
Compared to other types of siding, such as vinyl or fiber-cement, cedar may cost twice as much (from $ 6.00 per square foot, while other siding options can cost from $ 3.00 per square foot).
2) The possibility of a fire
Wood is not fire-resistant unless chemically treated. Using a special fire-retardant treatment not only negatively affects the appearance of the wood; it makes it less environmentally friendly.
3) The need for additional maintenance
As with any other wood siding, some additional maintenance is necessary when compared to manufactured sidings such as vinyl or fiber-cement. Depending on the stain or finish applied to the cedar, one needs to clean and re-apply the finish every two to possibly ten years.

Cedar siding cost

You can choose from several types of cedar siding. Each type will vary in cost per square. For example, good-quality cedar shingles average between $ 6 and $ 10 per square foot. While cedar shakes, being thicker, are slightly more expensive - $ 8 to $ 12 per square foot on average. It is often difficult to understand the prices and options available. Our qualified employees are always ready to help you choose the best siding for your house, and quickly calculate the necessary costs.

Cedar siding FAQ:

How much does cedar siding cost?

Prices for exterior cedar siding vary depending on the finish and style of cedar siding chosen. Some siding types require more milling and/or more labour; however, on average, the material cost ranges from $ 6.00 to $ 10.00 dollars per square foot. For example, shakes will cost more than shingles. Shakes are thicker and hand split. There is more material and milling costs.

Is cedar siding a good choice?

Cedar is relatively stable and inherently resists decay. It is an ideal wood for siding and roofing and provides a long service life. It is fairly easy to repair in a localized manner and remains attractive through the life of the siding. Proper installation and maintenance is the key to the long service life of cedar.

Can cedar siding be painted?

If a clear stain and the natural appearance of wood is not the preferred appearance of the siding then consider a semi-transparent stain with solid colour. Unlike clear stains that need to be re-applied every two to four years, semi-transparent stains have colour and finish which can remain in excellent condition for up to 10 years.