Western Red Cedar shingles and shakes can be readily applied over almost any wall surface including wood, brick, plaster and concrete. They can be fastened with nails, staples or glue. The only tools needed are a hammer or stapler, a handsaw, a block plane and a tape measure. Here’s how to do it, step by step:

1.  Calculate the number of courses by dividing the wall height (minus the height of the base board, if any) by the desired exposure. Mark the positions of the nailing strips on a batten then transfer these measurements to the wall.

2. Fasten battens to the wall (e.g. by nailing them through the wall into the studs) at the positions marked. If the shingles or shakes are to be carried around a corner, make sure the battens line up.

3. Start with a double course at the bottom of the wall. Use two nails or staples in each shingle placed so that the nail heads will be covered by the next course. The outer layer should overlap and conceal the side joints of the first course.

4. Continue with single courses to the top of the wall. A straight edge tacked to the wall will keep the courses true and the exposure consistent.

5. Alternately overlap the shingles or shakes on the outside corner to give a ‘laced’ effect, then trim them flush with a block plane.

6.Cut the shingles or shakes for the last course with a handsaw.  Discard the thin end.

7. Glue or nail the last course in place to make a neat top edge. A moulding strip may be applied to cover nail heads and hide any irregularities in the ceiling.

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