Introduction: Shingle Installation for New Walls
Since siding with cedar shingles is fun and easy anyway, there's no reason not to try some alternate patterning for decorative detail. 'Staggered butt coursing' offers a unique effect, blurring the horizontal lines and making the siding appear more organic, like bark or fur.
Attach the shingles at variable distances below the horizontal line. Never attach shingles above the line as that would compromise the weather protection afforded by the overlapping course.
Ribbon coursing creates a double shadow line effect by raising the outer course of shingles approximately 1" above the undercourse.
Use True North Cedar Grade D shingles for your undercourse.
Be sure to butt nail all double coursed True North Cedar shingles that have an exposure greater than the maximum allowable single course exposure.
![]() Staggared butt coursing. |
Ribbon coursing. |