How to Staple Cedar Siding

Staple down a layer of roofing felt over the entire surface to be covered in siding. Use 1/2-inch-wide crown staples every 12 inches. Overlap the rows of felt (upper rows over lower) by 3 to 4 inches for adequate coverage. Cut the felt with a utility knife to fit at the end of the wall.

Use a string level and a chalk line to mark the bottom edge of the first row of shingles at the joint between the sheathing and the foundation. Start the first row of shingles at one side of the wall, making the row even with the edge. Position the shingles along the chalk line with the thick edge down. Staple through the thinner top half of the shingle; leave the bottom 6 inches of the shingle unstapled. Use 1-inch-wide crown galvanized staples.

Position the stapler with the handle vertical so that the staples pierce the shingle with the fastener horizontal. This will minimize splitting. Set the plunger depth to minimum by adjusting the wheel under the gun barrel in front of the trigger. Space four staples evenly in two rows in each shingle.

Install the next shingle side by side to the first shingle. Staple each shingle aligned with the chalk line and next to the shingle beside it fastened with four staples. Continue adding shingles until your reach the opposite wall. Cut a shingle with a utility knife to fit the remaining space.

Use the chalk line to mark a line across the first row of shingles 6 inches from the bottom edge of the row. Install the next row of shingles with the bottom edge on the new line. Install the shingles with the vertical seams between shingles, staggered from row to row by varying the widths of the shingles. For example, install a 4-inch-wide shingle above a 5-inch shingle to space the seams differently from row to row.

Install rows of full-height shingles as far as possible, marking a line 6 inches from the bottom edge of each row. Use four staples in every shingle, keeping them horizontal. Measure the distance from the top of the wall to the line on the last full row and trim the shingles to fit. Staple the last row in all four corners of each shingle.