How to Install Cedar Shingle Siding | This Old House

Cedar shingles were used for siding before the Revolution. They were easy to install back then and they are still easy. Tom Silva shows Kevin O’Connor the old school technique for aligning the siding that does not require a tape measure. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. It’s time to start shingling the Arlington house. Tom Silva is using red cedar shingles that are primed on both sides. Before the shingles are attached, the exterior wall is covered with an all-in-one rain screen and air barrier. Tom puts a filler strip at the bottom of the wall so that the bottom course of shingles will flare out. The shingles get attached with 7-penny, 2-inch stainless steel ring shank nails. Tom recommends using one nail on each side of the shingle when the width of the shingle is five inches or less. The shingles should not be up tight to each other; there should be a very small air gap in between. The first course gets doubled, with the next layer just a little bit lower. Tom scribes and cuts the corner shingles to match the curved contour. The next courses that go up the wall need to be spaced out so that they line up with the bottom trim of the window. Tom shows Kevin O’Connor how he uses a story pole to mark off the courses that he wants for an approximate 5 inch reveal. The line is snapped with chalk and they attach the straight edge on which to place the butts of the next course of shingles. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/st... About This Old House TV: This Old House is America’s first and most trusted home improvement show. Each season, we renovate two different historic homes—one step at a time—featuring quality craftsmanship and the latest in modern technology. We demystify home improvement and provide ideas and information so, whether you are doing it yourself or hiring out contractors, you’ll know the right way to do things or the questions to ask. Our experts including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor give you the tools you need to protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home. Follow This Old House: Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG How to Install Cedar Shingle Siding | This Old House    / thisoldhouse