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The Daily Insight

What do I put under cedar shingles

Author

Andrew Campbell

Published Mar 21, 2026

Synthetic underlayment: With modern improvements and manufacturing techniques, synthetic underlayments are now considered the best material installed under cedar shingles. Synthetic underlayments are made from polyester, fiberglass and polypropylene.

Do cedar shingles need underlay?

A cedar shingle roof needs to ‘breathe’ to achieve its optimum lifespan. For the best performance an underlay is recommended for all shingle roofs whether domestic or commercial.

What is under cedar shake roof?

Under the Cedar Shakes are furring strips. Furring strips are 4” wide boards that are spaced apart several inches, to hold up cedar shakes while allowing them to breathe.

What is the best underlayment for cedar siding?

The Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau recommends installation over Type 30 asphalt felt underlayment for red cedar shingles and shakes. Install the felt paper with minimum 6-inch overlaps on vertical joints, 2 inches on horizontal laps, and 4 inches wrapped each way at inside and outside corners.

What is under wood shingles?

Also known as the wood sheathing, this is the base on which everything else is laid on. It’s essentially the foundation of the roof. This is typically made with OSB or oriented strand board or plywood that’s attached with nails onto the rafters.

What do you put under wood siding?

Plywood is the most common type of wood used underneath the siding. Plywood is layers of wood cut on a large machine, pressed together under pressure and glued together to form a sheet of wood. Plywood is made from maple, pine, oak, cedar and poplar. Most commonly, plywood is made of pine.

How much do you overlap cedar shingles?

Cedar shingles should lap at least 18 cm (7 in.) over each side of valley flashing.

Can you use felt paper under siding?

The short answer is that felt paper is fine as a weather-resistant barrier behind vinyl siding and will not cause a problem if the siding is installed correctly.

Do I need underlayment for siding?

Unfortunately, existing siding isn’t completely flat or level, and it needs to be both in order to apply the new siding. That’s why an underlayment is necessary: To smooth out the existing surface and give the vinyl a level finish to adhere to.

How does Tyvek house wrap work?

How does house wrap work? The unique nonwoven structure of Tyvek HomeWrap makes it breathable, allowing moisture vapor to pass through. This helps to promote drying in wall systems, to help prevent mold and water damage.

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What is roofing sheathing?

Roof decking (or roof sheathing) is the wooden boards that make up the foundation of your entire roof system. I like to say foundation because it’s what your shingles and the rest of your roofing components are installed on. Roof decking is one of the most important pieces of your roof system.

Does drip edge go under underlayment?

According to most building codes and manufacturer recommendations, the drip edge should be installed beneath the underlayment along the eaves of the roof. But over the underlayment along the rake edges of the roof. Understanding the proper way to install the drip edge will only get you so far.

What kind of board goes under shingles?

The roof sheathing is made up of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). These boards and sheet material are secured on top of the rafters to create the innermost layer of covering. Sheathing adds rigidity to the roof frame, and provides a surface for nails and other fasteners during shingle installation.

What is the wood under the roof called?

Soffit: The underside of the eaves, or roof overhang, which can be enclosed or exposed.

What is the difference between cedar and cedar shingles?

This visual difference comes from the distinct ways cedar shingles and cedar shakes are manufactured. Cedar shakes are split off while shingles are sawn smooth on both sides and cut tapered. Lastly, shakes are thicker than shingles. … However, unlike shingles, they cannot lay completely flat on your roof.

Do you need to treat cedar shingles?

Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade over time, with constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays, the elements, and water, of course. It also means that the cedar shakes can suffer from fungus and algae growth without proper treatment. Most importantly, without treatment, cedar shake shingles can catch on fire.

Do you need house wrap under wood siding?

Generally, if you’re installing vinyl, aluminum or wood siding, you will likely need to use a house wrap. Wood siding, for instance, benefits from house wraps because it usually has several seams with overlapping boards.

Does siding need plywood underneath?

Question: Do you put plywood under siding? Answer: If it’s plywood sheathing, yes you can put it under the siding. It’ll be the best structural support for your house. … In that case, your plywood sheathing should be 3/8inches.

What is siding underlayment?

Siding Underlayment is a sheathing and stucco board that offers incredible insulation that features higher compressive strengths, R-values, and greater moisture resistance.

Does cedar siding need to breathe?

Let Cedar Siding Flex and Breathe Cedar is a material that needs to be allowed to flex once installed. … The paper used to cover the exterior wall prior to installing cedar siding should be breathable so that moisture can escape properly. This is especially important in areas surrounding window, doors and flashing.

What should be behind siding?

Underlayment Underlayment or weather resistive barrier (WRB) is installed between the siding and the sheathing. This can be tar paper or a house wrap such as HardieWrap® or Tyvek HomeWrap®. HardieWrap® is great for keeping water out and at the same time letting water vapor escape from the house.

What is behind cedar siding?

Drainage Planes Most of these products look like a huge roll of thin Brillo pad like material. The thickness of the material creates a void behind the siding allowing water to drain down away from the siding. … Recently we tried a new product called HydroGap which is made by the same company as Cedar Breather.

What is the black paper under siding?

Felt paper, also commonly referred to as tar paper, is an underlayment material applied to bare walls before siding is installed. Should any water get past the siding, properly-installed felt paper will act as a barrier to keep the water from damaging the wall sheathing or framing.

Can I use house wrap under shingles?

But basically yes – no reason not to use housewrap as long as you’re not nailing shingles through it.

Is tar paper and roofing felt the same?

Tar paper is a heavy-duty paper used in construction. … Tar paper is distinguished from roofing felt, which is impregnated with asphalt instead of tar, but these two products are used the same way, and their names are sometimes used informally as synonyms. Tar paper has been in use for centuries.

Can Tyvek be used as roof underlayment?

All Tyvek® products in Canada and the U.S. have been tested and approved as products to be installed behind exterior walls. However DuPont™ Tyvek® Protec™ provides a high-quality roof underlayment choice.

What is the R value of Tyvek house wrap?

Use Tyvek® HomeWrap® weatherization system underneath your siding, stucco or brick. The average wall has 3-1/2 inches of insulation which, under ideal conditions, has an installed R- value of R-14.

Can you staple Tyvek house wrap?

Tyvek says you can use 4 staples per 9 feet of house wrap if you tape over them an apply the siding right away. But a cap stapler is better. Apply house wrap up the gables before installing exterior trim, even if the attic is not conditioned.

Can you walk on cedar shingles?

So can you walk on a cedar shake roof? The short answer: yes. … Still, even if they do support your weight, cedar shakes are also notoriously slippery and difficult to navigate, especially after a recent storm or if they are covered in moss or other growths.

Can you walk on a shingle roof?

Walking on your roof (unless absolutely necessary) Walking on your asphalt shingles can leave the shingles bare, dislodge them or create gaps that can increase the potential for leaks. While it’s recommended that you stay off of your roof as much as possible, unavoidable incidents may make that difficult.

How do you inspect a cedar shake roof?

Check your roof from the Inside A check of your attic for signs of leaks or water damage is a must for your inspection. Use a flashlight to check the beams and walls for water stains and moisture. Observe the nails coming through the roof for signs of rust, a sure indication of a water damage issue.