First Course Of Bevel Siding

Siding may be installed starting with the bottom course.

First course of bevel siding. One edge has a thick butt while the other edge is thinner. The manufacturing process results in pieces with one face saw textured. The rabetted bevel dolly varden pattern features a 1 2 3 4 notch in the thicker butt end of the board this rabbeted edge cut allows the bevel siding panels to fit together in such a way as to protect joints from water infiltration. Bevel siding also referred to as clapboard siding is a very popular wood siding product.

It is produced by resaying lumber at an angle to produce two pieces thicker on one edge than the other. Step 8 siding beside windows photo by david carmack. Carefully slide the notched piece of siding into place. Align the bottom of the bevel plank with the bottom of the starter strip with the end flush against the trim and.

On rabbeted bevel siding leave a 1 8 inch expansion clearance. The dolly varden rabbeted bevel profile is an easier install while providing the same traditional bevel style and appearance. Place the nail just above the overlap. Fasten bevel siding in place using one nail per bearing or stud spaced a maximum of 24 inches on center.

For bevel siding this is a minimum of 1 inch. Join the clapboards with scarf joints as in step 3. Bevel wood siding provides rustic warmth for homes and log cabins. Clapboards have a triangular cut.

It is normally blocked out with a starting strip the same thickness as the top of the siding board see figure a. The most familiar type of wood siding is the clapboard a form of lap siding that s also called bevel siding. Set the first bevel board in place against the trim at a corner of the house. Nail the clapboard to the studs.

Thinner at the top and wider near the lower more exposed part of the board. The number of board spaces between the soffit and bottom of the lowest piece of siding at the foundation should be such that the overlap is as per the table. If more than one clapboard is needed to span a wall snap a chalk line between the marks on the corner boards on top of the course being overlapped. Start with the bottom course using a furring strip to support the lower edge.

When installed it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between dolly varden and bevel or clapboard siding. Each succeeding course overlaps the one below. Make sure the first course is level. Click here to read a short course on cladding part 2.

Each succeeding course overlaps the upper edge of the lower course. They are lapped to shed water. This is the first of a 2 part series. With dolly varden siding you get the appearance of bevel and clapboard siding but the convenience of self spacing thanks to the rabbet at the bottom to accept the top of the preceding course.

Western red cedar bevel siding is the most widely used siding type.