I am installing quartersawn clapboards over 1/2″ CDX on a very large
garage/apartment. The siding is 5-1/2″ wide, will have a 3-1/2″ exposure, and I want to secure the siding in the top 2″ of each board so the fasteners are not visable. Hand nailing will likely take till the next millenium.
I am considering purchasing a Paslode IM 200 stapler to complete the project in my lifetime. My questions:
1. Will my clapboards fly off in the first good wind (we are in New England but not near the coast).
2. Will the Paslode staples provide enough holding power.
3 If so, what size staples? Galvanized 2″ leg? or Stainless?
Thanks to all!
Replies
Ive never used staples to install clapboard. I always face nail with stainless fasteners. I cant guarentee the siding will blow off if blind nailed, but I will guarentee it wont blow off when I face nail.
You might also want to look into installing a "rain screen" prior to installation. FHB had an article not too far back.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Handnail.
Handnail/facenail those pups with stainless. It couldn't take THAT long, and you wouldn't be splitting claps. In my opinion, blind nailing gives a loose installation at best- not all the claps will spring tightly down upon it's neighbor below. A sloppy looking installation. JMHO.
Ken Hill
"Hand nailing will likely take till the next millenium."
"...to complete the project in my lifetime"
You sound like one of those young pups who never learned how to drive a nail because you werre allowed to pick up a nail gun before you could learn how.
This is your gooden opportunity. Staple in cedar will gaurantee that a majority of the pieces of quarter sawn will develope splits. Will they fly away before the tailgate warantee is up? Probably not. But why treat good lumber this way? You'd be doing a disservice to the owners. the job will definitely not last a lifetime as it should. If they were willing to buy #3 FG pine clapboards instead of quarter sawn cedar, they'd be giving you a signal that they want a cheap job and you could rationalize doing it with staples. Since they are buying quality materials, they deserve a quality installation.
Nail it!