Howdy. I’m new here so go easy on me. I’ve got a 1940s house in the Inland Northwest that straddles the line between bungalow/Craftsman and ranch. The exterior siding is an early type of Colorlock or other Masonite product. I am guessing the original owners of the house applied that siding circa 1970. Underneath are wonderful rough-sawn cedar shakes that they covered over with the Colorlock. I have removed the CL from a small section on the northwest corner of the house and examined the shakes underneath. They are free from rot but show minor checks. I would really like to restore the house’s vintage lines by simply uncovering and repainting those old shakes. Is this wise? What are the signs I should look for that would tell me to stay away from this project? Thanks much.
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around here, the NW corner is least likely to show wear and weathering, but it sounds like your shakes were only about thirty years old when covererd up so unless they were poorly installed, the worst is that the nails from the over siding will leave hoiles to somehow fill to keep water out. Filling and painting on smooth surfaced shingles is one thing, but on hand split shakes, it might stand out and say "Look at me"
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So where should I look to see the old shakes at their worst? Southwest face? FYI we're pretty dry here- abuot 15 in. rain annually so many moisture related problems don't exist here. We do, however, have intense, high altitude sun and high winds. Also, maybe I didn't make it clear, the original shakes were painted white. Thanks.
South and west
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