How to Install Pine Siding
- 1). Prepare the surface of the building by nailing a layer of waterproof sheathing to the walls. Tar paper provides good protection from moisture. Attach the tar paper to the walls of the structure by nailing it into place where the wall studs are located.
- 2). Set the pine siding on site while sheathing the building for 72 hours so that the siding can acclimate to the building site conditions. This will keep the siding from expanding or contracting once placed onto the house.
- 3). Establish a reference line for the first course of siding. Measure downward from the eaves along the side of the building, marking points along a line at an equal distance from the eaves about 6 inches above the ground using chalk. Make sure that the reference line runs parallel to the eaves of the building so that the siding is level.
- 4). Use the reference line to place the bottom edge of the starter strip of the siding. Nail the strip to the wall where he wall studs are located using hot-dipped galvanized nails. Use nails with a minimum head diameter of 1/4 inch and long enough to penetrate through the siding and 1 1/2 inches into the house frame.
- 5). Nail the first course of siding into place. Overlap the top edge of the starter strip with the first planks, using the groove cut into the pine planks to rest on the starter strip. Nail the planks into place starting at the center of the plank and then moving toward each end. Leave a space of 3/16 inch between planks when multiple planks are needed on a row. The gap provides space for expanding wood and should only be placed on wall studs. Siding can be cut as needed using a circular saw.
- 6). Install the subsequent courses of siding, overlapping the siding beneath and nailing the siding into place at the overlapping portion. Stagger the joints on each row so that no two rows share a jointed area. Make sure there are no knots or splits present in the plank where the plank crosses an opening such as a door or window.
- 7). Finish the planks once installed to protect the surface of the wood from the elements. Either paint the wood with a waterproof paint, stain the wood with a waterproof solid-color stain or apply a natural water-repellent finish such as a wood preservative or oils.
Source...