A Cedar Siding Question

Mr Mojoski · 08-31-2011, 12:59 PM

My contractor installed new cedar lap siding on my home due to the deterioration of the old cedar siding. The previous owner hadn't kept up on painting plus the original installation was faulty - not back or front primed plus not always nailed into studs.

My contractor face nailed the new cedar through the overlap and nailed the ends to the 1 x 4 frame. I found out later it should have been nailed above the overlap. BTW I live in Dayton, Ohio if weather is important.

The installation looks good, but the question is do I have a problem?

**kwikfishron** · 08-31-2011, 03:41 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Other than making it slightly more difficult if you ever need to replace a piece, your fine.

I don’t understand the 1x4 frame part of your post.

**Gary in WA** · 08-31-2011, 04:16 PM

Is the 1x4 frame, the rain-screen?

"Placement
Siding should be fastened to each stud or blocking with nails spaced at a maximum of 24 inches on center. Nail placement depends on the siding pattern and width. The key is to fasten the siding securely without preventing it from moving in response to the moisture content in the air. In general, each piece of siding must be nailed independently. Nailing overlapping pieces together restricts the natural movements of each piece and may cause splitting." From: http://www.wrcla.org/pdf/WRCLA_Installing_Siding.pdf

Notice the 1/8” gap left for board expansion on the illustration on the right side of page 11- showing the nail at left side should be gapped similar.
I hope he metal flashed the window head and head trim as on page 9, taken from here; page #8: http://www.mtcc1170.com/images/BCRainScreen.pdf You’ll find out when the sun warms it or the seasons change or it rains….. A lot of call-backs.

Gary

Mr Mojoski · 08-31-2011, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the responses. The cedar was put on the gable ends of the house. The 1 X 4 framing was around the perimeter of the gable next to the soffit.

We back primed the cedar and face primed it when it was up. I could have face primed it on the ground but didn't think of it.

The instructions for correctly installing it came with the bundles of cedar, but I never thought to look at them and assumed the contractor knew what he was doing.

**BigJim** · 08-31-2011, 04:47 PM

I don't recommend nailing the cedar siding through the over lap as both top and bottom of the board is nailed and a lot of times it will crack especially cedar. The wood will breath (shrink and expand) and if nailed where it can't move will cause the board to crack. The siding needs to be nailed above the overlapped siding not through both.

**kwikfishron** · 08-31-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiju1943

The siding needs to be nailed above the overlapped siding not through both.

Kind of late now.

**Gary in WA** · 08-31-2011, 08:25 PM

Found the one I was thinking of.... Fig.4---: http://www.buildingscience.com/docum...d-but-strange/

Gary