I’m about to start re-siding a 1904 cottage-style two-story and I’m wondering if I should use a 7 inch or 5 inch reveal on the shakes? The primary considerations are aesthetics and longevity more than price — obviously, I realize that the smaller reveal will cost more…
Any ideas?
The shakes will not be painted; they will remain natural.
Replies
jroderick..
the 5 inch revel will last longer and be more resistant to wind damage.. It's also more appropriate for a house of the period..
Since I wanted my shingles to last forever without repainting I dipped them all in an oil based paint and then then when dry I brushed a coat of latex on them before I installed them.. My father did that to his shingles and today 35 years later the house still looks good and has never been repainted..
My wife dipped and painted the shingles for me.. she enjoyed her about an hour a day contribution and we kinda had a little contest.. she tried to do more in her hour than I could put up in a day.. (often she beat me and I was using a nail gun (pneumatic stapler) and had the scaffolding set up)...
Thank you, Frenchy. Best I've gotten my wife to do so far is stain a single fence panel, then retiring her paint brush!
I like the idea, though.
We want these things to remain natural color; think I should follow your approach with a wood sealant?
jroderick,
NO, I'm sorry wood when exposed to UV light will change.. I carefully brushed three thick coats of marine spar varnish (epiphanes) over my black walnut timbers and today about 5 years later the underlying wood is nearly completely blonde.. the varnish is still in great shape but the wood turned underneath it..
If you use a sealant you'll need to renew that sealant every year or two and still at some point the cedar will change and you'll have lost both the wonderful cedar color and the chance for that beautiful silver patina so highly desired.
Make sure if you suggest this to your wife, you explain that she will be doing all of this sitting down.. she first dips it in the thinned oil based paint and sets it on something to drain then the next day she picks it off and brushs on the coat of latex..If she's a real hatred of a paint brush she can redip slightly more than half way..
Give her a pair of rubber gloves so she doesn't get paint under her fingernails, turn on a radio to her favorite station and make sure she's comfortably in the shade.
IF she has a girl friend or sister etc.. to share time with she will actually look forward to it..
Edited 2/9/2008 12:50 pm ET by frenchy