Installation Video Series, Part 4: Installing LP® SmartSide® Cedar Shakes

Installing LP® SmartSide® Cedar Shakes combines the practices of Lap Siding and Panel Siding. They use an overlap layout and have a shiplap edge design. You’ll begin again by snapping a level chalk line and installing a starter shim. Remember to abide by required clearances and flashing practices before hanging your first piece of cedar shake. Do not install the shakes in contact with masonry, concrete or brick. Install cedar shakes on stud spacing no greater than 16″ on center. You will want to use a starter shim that is roughly 1½” wide and ⅜” thick.

Remember, when you cut your LP SmartSide products to size, always apply primer and paint to the field cuts with a high-quality, 100% acrylic latex paint. You want to use a minimum of .113-inch shank diameter, hot-dipped galvanized box-style nail with a minimum of .270-inch head diameter. The nails should be long enough to penetrate the structural framing by at least one and one-half inches. Always set your nail gun so the head of the nail is snug against the siding or flush with the siding surface. Try to avoid overdriving the nails. If you do overdrive a fastener, seal the hole and exposed substrate with an ASTM C920, Class 25 sealant. If a nail is overdriven by more than 1/8″, seal the hole and renail it.

Installing Cedar Shake Siding

You must face-nail LP SmartSide cedar shake siding. You may choose to install the first course upside down for a straight drip edge along the bottom. You will then use a double nailing technique along the shiplap edge.

Nail through the shiplap on the first panel, then nail 1 inch from the edge at the overlap flange on the second overlapping panel. Overlap successive courses a minimum of 1¾”. LP makes it simple. You can use the alignment notch in the shiplap edge as an automatic guide to lap each course. Face-nail all shake pieces roughly ¾” from the bottom edge to penetrate both courses.

To continue with a straight drip edge appearance, you will want to follow this sequence:

1. Starting from right to left, level and install the first course of siding so the straight edge is no more than ½” below the starter shim.

2. Trim the right edge so that the siding section fits against the corner board with a 3/16-inch space, and so that the opposite shiplap edge falls on a stud for nailing.

If you would like to achieve the intended random drip edge appearance, you will need to follow this sequence:

1. Starting from left to right, level and install the first course so the random edge is no more than ½” below the starter shim.

2. Trim the left edge so that siding section fits against the corner board with a 3/16-inch space, and so that the opposite shiplap edge falls on a stud for nailing.

You can also achieve a staggered joint appearance with LP SmartSide cedar shakes. You can do this by trimming the second course starter piece of shake 16 inches shorter than the first course, and then trim the third course starter piece of shake 32 inches shorter than the first course. Repeat this same sequence every three courses.

You may find yourself installing LP SmartSide Cedar Shake siding around windows. Windows will require a Z-flashing above the window. Don’t forget to allow for a 3/8″ space between the flashing edge and the siding edge. Do not apply sealant in any space where flashing is integrated.

You’ll find more detailed instructions on how to install LP SmartSide in the  LP SmartSide Installation Video Series.