Hi,
I am installing cedar lap siding that is 5 1/4 by 1/2″. I have been told that I shold nail the boards high enough so that the next layer up covers the nail heads.but the Western Red Cedar Association http://www.wrcla.org/pdf/WRCLA_Installing_Siding.pdf installation guide says to nail near the bottom of the board, so the nail heads would be exposed. I don’t understand why you would expose the nail heads like that. Does anyone have recommendations or explanations about this?
Thanks.
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Replies
I always assumed that
nailing just above the top of the lower piece was intended to hold the siding flat against the wall to prevent cupping and wind up-lift. Exposure of the nails shouldn't be a problem if the correct nails are used. Stainless steel produces better results if the siding isn't painted.
I think that 5 1/4 can go either way, but wider siding (especially real wood) needs to be face nailed to prevent curling. With real wood, though, it's important to place the nail such that it DOES NOT penetrate the top of the course below, so that the wood can shrink and expand cross-grain, and therefore reduce splitting.
Cedar, in particular, tends to curl more than other species.
for hardie "planks"
they have 2 nailing specs.
one is top nail the other is face nail. I think the face nail is good for more wind resistance like 140 mph compared to 120 or so with "blind "/ top nailing.
I did not use face nailing (near the bottom edge) cause it looks really ugly especially if nail rust, and or are driven too deep creating a hole that must then be caulked.
But I believe you'll find that the Hardie specs call for the nail head to remain proud.
That's so you dont have to caulk all the nails.
It's so you don't damage the planks.
OK Mr. Serious.
true!
But the
"foreign
true!
But the
"foreign nationals" the condo board hired to install the hardie planks claimed not to know how to adjust the air pressure input on the nail gun gee a big tee handle thing on the comprssor (!!!!????!!!!) so they drove a lot of nails 1/3 way thru the Hardie, then of course messily caulked it.
The Hardie instructions I currently have permit either "snug" or "flush" driving, with preference for the latter. Anything deeper than flush is to be caulked and an additional nail put in beside it.