Cottage Style Siding Require A Gap Between Them

The original cottage siding remains a favourite for its looks and sustainability.

Cottage style siding require a gap between them.

Drop siding similar to clapboards the top of each horizontally placed board is fitted into a groove in the lower edge of the board on top of it. So you don t get the warping that causes shiplap to look crooked or uneven. The tongue actually fits in the groove and once installed on a surface the boards have a gap between them that s about the width of a nickel hence the name. Position the caulk gun so that the angled tip of the nozzle is flat against the gap to be filled.

Correctly installed siding should also allow air to flow through from top to bottom taking advantage of natural convection to remove moisture. The air space between cladding and sheathing doesn t need to be great but it needs to allow continuous drainage without creating pockets where water can be trapped inside wall assemblies referred to as perched water. These are vulnerable to penetration by driving rain. To allow for seasonal expansion and contraction a 1 gap is usually left between wider vertical planks.

Depress the trigger on the caulk gun until caulk begins to squeeze out of the nozzle. Do not caulk between siding and any built in receiving channels located at or around windows. Leave a 1 8 gap between the siding and the trim or other materials to allow for structural movement. Weigh the difficulty of installation the maintenance needed and the material s durability.

And you often don t have to prime nickel gap either or worry about filling knots. Narrower 1 x3 strips or battens are nailed over the seams or gaps where the two planks abut to help keep out the elements rodents and insects. A felt underlayment is necessary to ensure that shake siding remains watertight. Always prime or paint any cut edges that are inserted into a window j channel.

Vertical boards a series of wide boards are placed vertically with a series of narrow boards in between them. Vertical trim gap caulking. But when you consider siding don t decide based on looks alone. Never put a gap on one never seen anyone put a gap on one never gave it any thought but the reasoning for the gap usually on roof shingles is that the shake becomes wet won t dry out and will rot and decay faster without such a gap siding shingles ought not to have that problem.

The wood may be smooth or rough finished. Cedar shingles which all share common dimensions can be installed flat with minimal gaps between them. Installed properly any siding can deflect water resist rot and block pests.