I’ve been reviewing the hundreds of FC lap siding posts here but I still have a seam question. I know enough to understand that a vertical line of seams in my lap siding would look hideous so what do the pros do to stagger the seams?
If I install my fist run of siding the full 12′ what should be the lengths of the next two or three runs before installing a full 12′ lap again. And once I get, let’s say, four runs complete should I keep repeating the same seam pattern or continue to change it.
-John
Replies
The next run should be at least one stud bay shorter. But generally it's better to not have things spaced that closely, so something around 8' would probably be good after an initial 12-footer.
I prefer a "random" pattern for the joints, but others may prefer a uniform one. If you go with uniform I'd suggest you go roughly by 3rds or quarters so you don't repeat the same pattern for 3-4 courses.
Another way to do it with a regular pattern is something like this:
Course #1 full length
Course #2 short by three stud bays
Course #3 short by one stud bay
Course #4 short by four stud bays
Course #5 short by two stud bays
Course #6 short by five stud bays
This is basically right three/left two (or vice-versa). You could go right five/left three, or any other such combination that looks right to you. Work it out on graph paper to find one you like.
John, I was taught to make them random. I prefer the random look....it might be a subjective decison though...beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I basically work very hard to just start with the drop. Sometimes it works..other times I have to tweak it. I don't have any hard and fast rules...I just keep my eyes the other seams and try to dodge them.
blue
Okay now I have some good ideas to work from. In addition to moving the seams around, I'm guessing the better job one does installing the siding the less noticeable the seams will be also.
Thanks to all for sharing your knowledge.
-John M
right .. the seams basically disappear..
and random is what's called for.. the colonial clapboards were only about 4' long so there were a lot of seams .. and the were random and unobtrusive
i would probably use a 12'.... a 4'.... a 64"
an 8'
by then you have a lot of odd pieces lying around and you can just start nailing them up... trim to hit your stud layout
here's a couple of pics of Barry doing a colonial in Coventry
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore