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xinull
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2022 02:39pm
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I'm wondering if cedar shakes needs to be dried before being installed as exterior siding? I would tend to think they do, otherwise they would just shrink and make gaps between them.
I've seen more and more people making and selling their own lumber during these covid times, and i came across someone who's doing cedar shakes. I've seen them, and they look almost the same as store bought. They are a little more rough, but I think it gives the look a little bit more character
I have not asked the question to the guys who makes the cedar shakes if he dries them or not, or if they need to be dried before installing them. I wanted to get some feedback from you guys first so when i do have that conversation with him, i may have some additional questions or feedback i can give him immediately. Basically I'm getting ready for the conversation 
While we're on the topic of cedar shakes, what's the best preservative to put on cedar shakes (for siding) to keep the closest to their natural color? There's so many different options, different brands, i can't tell the differences. And you'll only really know years after using the product if it's good or not. Only people with experience using a product for many years could truly have valuable feedback on this matter
cheers
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Irrigation Guy
Member
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2022 04:17pm
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Store bought shingles are kiln dried. That being said the very way they are installed with staggered joints and overlapping courses keeps out the water. If you put them green butted against each other you might end up with a 1/4†gap. Remember early settlers didn’t kiln dry their lumber.
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xinull
Member
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2022 04:59pm
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you're probably correct, if placed correctly, the gaps made from the shrinking are probably not significant.
But it's still a gap, i wonder if that affects the look if the gaps are pretty big :/
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Irrigation Guy
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2022 07:47pm
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Quoting: xinull But it's still a gap, i wonder if that affects the look if the gaps are pretty big :/
I live in an area where 80% of the homes have cedar shakes. Some have gaps some don’t. Back in the 70s it was popular to have large reveals like 8 to 10 inches on the courses and gaps between the shakes. Now it’s 5 or 6 inch reveals with no gaps.
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neb
Member
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2022 12:52pm
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My thinking of gaps would be of some importance so the shingle can dry better after a rain or moisture contact.
If installed to close together it wouldn't dry out quickly and rot and fungus will occur and cause damage to that cedar shake. IMO
If wood can dry fast and get air, it is very important to stop rotting.
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