A quick cedar shake siding question

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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / A quick cedar shake siding question


Author	Message
rmak Member	# Posted: 19 Aug 2012 12:33pm Reply I ran a topic recently about vinyl shake shingles. I have decided to go with real shingles instead on the sides of my cabin. I'm in need of some info because of my arthritic wrists. Does anyone know the details of attaching real shakes using air tools? I have a frame nailer, brad nailer and I can borrow a pneumatic stapler if that works. I don't know which one would give me the proper hold on cedar shakes. I'm thinking the frame nailer won't shoot nails small enough and the brad nailer doesn't shoot anti corrosive nails with heads. Thanks to anyone for their expertise

Martian Member	# Posted: 19 Aug 2012 02:33pm Reply When I worked up in Maine, we put them on with an air stapler. It went pretty fast. Take a 1X4 and tack it on. Then, you just rest your shingles on it and shoot them on. That is not how the Red Cedar Shingle and Hand-split Shake Bureau says to do it, however. Among other things, they recommend two nails per shingle, no widths wider than 8" or smaller than 3", a minimum of 1 1/2" between grooves, and no three grooves can line up. Following their recommendations takes more time, but it does give you a nice looking, long lasting job. Tom