How to Repair Cedar Shake Siding

Cedar shake siding adds a rustic feeling to the exterior of a house and it is a common sight on resort cabins and summer homes. Because it naturally repels insects and resists water damage, cedar siding offers the homeowner an added measure of protection. However, cedar siding shingles can warp or split and when that happens, you must replace the damaged shingles in order to repair the siding.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat bar
  • Hammer
  • Utility knife
  • Straight edge
  • Galvanized nails 6D
  • New cedar shakes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the siding and look for shakes that have come loose from the nails or ones that have cracked and split down the middle. These are the shingles that you will remove and replace with a new shingle. In addition, occasionally a cedar shake will curl outwards or inwards, leaving a gap where water can enter.

    • 2

      Notice the color difference between the new and the old shingles. As cedar shakes weather, they turn a soft silvery-gray but the new ones will be a fresh brown color. In time, they too, will change color. The only way to avoid the color clash is to purchase extra cedar shakes when you install the original siding and allow them to weather outdoors for a few months.

    • 3

      Pry a damaged cedar shake off with a flat bar inserted under the bottom edge of the shingle. A typical cedar shake will have two nails, about 10 inches up from the bottom, underneath the shingle that covers it. Often, you can work the shingle back and forth after you use the flat bar and pull it away from the boxing.

    • 4

      Use your old cedar shake as a pattern and place it on top of a new cedar shake that is wider. Use a straight edge to draw a line along the edge of the new shingle.

    • 5

      Cut along the line with a sharp utility knife and do the same thing in the same place on the backside. Now, using your hands, snap the shingle lengthwise along the line, if possible. If the shingle is difficult to snap, place it on top of a cinder block with the scored edge extending over the side and use your hand to snap it downwards sharply.

    • 6

      Slide the new cedar shingle into the place where you removed the old one. Position the bottom of the shake flush with the adjacent shakes, allowing for a slight variation if the original shakes have a staggered pattern.

    • 7

      Surface nail the new cedar shake into place. Unlike nailing the original shakes, you will attach the replacements by nailing through the above shake all the way through the new shake and into the boxing. Position the shingle and use two nails, approximately 1 ½-inch up from the bottom and side edges of the above shingle and nail through both shingles. The nail heads will show on top of the upper shingle.

    • 8

      Repeat the process with all the damaged shakes.