Do cedar shakes need to be caulked?

No — cedar shakes and shingles must NOT be caulked between courses. Cedar expands and contracts with humidity; caulk traps moisture and causes rot. The overlap of each course on the one below sheds water naturally. Only use flashing and metal valley material where shakes meet walls or roof valleys.

What is the waste factor for cedar shakes?

Cedar shake: 15–22% waste factor depending on exposure. 8″ exposure = 15–18%, 10″ exposure = 18–20%, 12″ exposure = 20–22%. Waste is higher than lap clapboard because split-face shakes have irregular shapes that need culling for knots, splits, and warping. Cedar shingle (sawn, uniform) runs 12–15% waste. Clapboard/lap = 8–10%.

What is the difference between shake and shingle siding?

Cedar shake: split-face, irregular shapes, rustic appearance, 15–22% waste, higher cost. Cedar shingle: sawn-face, uniform rectangular shapes, cleaner look, 12–15% waste, lower cost. Both are wood siding, but shake is labor-intensive to install because every piece is unique.

How often should cedar shakes be restained?

Clear/transparent stain: every 2–3 years. Semi-transparent stain: every 3–4 years. Solid stain: every 5–7 years. Frequency depends on climate — direct sun areas need staining more often. Check for cupping, splitting, or excessive graying as a visual cue.

How many bundles of cedar shakes per square?

Depends on exposure. Cedar shake: 8″ exposure ≈ 1.4 bundles per square (100 sq ft), 10″ exposure ≈ 1.1 bundles per square, 12″ exposure ≈ 0.9 bundles per square. One bundle typically covers ~100 sq ft at 10″ exposure. Round up — bundles are not split.

🌲 Cedar Shake / Shingle

Cedar Shake & Shingle Siding Calculator — Coverage, Waste & Cost

Split-face shake and sawn-face shingle are two completely different wood siding profiles — each with its own exposure, waste factor, bundle count, and finish requirements. Enter your wall area, pick your exposure, and the calculator below returns shake numbers.

estimator · cedar shake / shingleLive

Wall area (sq ft)

Gable + dormer complexity

Include stain + finish ($3/sq ft)

Profile:Cedar Shake 10″ exposure| Exposure: 10″| Waste: 20%| Coverage: 225 sq ft/bundle

Waste-adjusted area

1,440

sq ft

Squares needed

@ 100 sq ft each

Bundles

cedar bundles

Installed cost

$12,000–$21,600

material + labor

No stain

—

if checked

Already measured?

For full wall-by-wall takeoff including gable formulas and opening deductions, run the main siding calculator, then come back here to convert those numbers into shake-specific bundles and stain cost. For step-by-step measuring instructions, see the square footage guide.

Exposure Decision Matrix — Pick Your Look, Get Your Bundle Count

Exposure controls how much of each shake shows, which directly controls how many bundles you order. Wider exposure = more coverage per bundle = fewer bundles to buy.

High Waste

Shake @ 8″ exposure

Coverage / bundle180 sq ft

Waste factor20%

Installed$10–$18/sq ft

Split-face shake, most common siding application. 8″ exposure is the standard for walls.

High Waste

Shake @ 10″ exposure

Coverage / bundle225 sq ft

Waste factor20%

Installed$10–$18/sq ft

Rustic look, larger shingles. Higher coverage = fewer bundles.

High Waste

Shake @ 12″ exposure

Coverage / bundle270 sq ft

Waste factor22%

Installed$10–$18/sq ft

Bold look on wide walls. Highest waste because large shake sizes mean more cutting.

Shake vs. Clapboard — Why Waste Factors Are Night & Day

Cedar shake siding with split-face texture compared to smooth cedar clapboard lap siding

Shake = irregular shapes = higher waste. Clapboard = uniform boards = lower waste.Photo: Unsplash

Waste factor by profile

Cedar shake (all exposures)20–22%

Cedar shingle (sawn-face)12–15%

Cedar clapboard / lap8–10%

Vinyl lap (D4–D5)5–8%

Shake waste is 2–3× vinyl waste because every split-face shake is unique. Installers cull knots, splits, and warps before placing each piece. Round up your bundle count generously — a shake job that runs short on a Saturday cannot pull a single piece from a random home improvement store.

Finish & Stain — The Maintenance Cost You Should Budget Up Front

Cedar shake and shingle must be stained or sealed every 2–7 years depending on climate and stain type. Budget for it up front or schedule the maintenance now — shake that is left unsealed turns gray, cups, and splits within 3–5 years.

Clear / Transparent

Recoat intervalEvery 2–3 years

Cost per sq ft$2–$3 /sq ft

Lets natural grain show. Least UV protection. Fastest maintenance.

Semi-transparent

Recoat intervalEvery 3–4 years

Cost per sq ft$2.50–$3.50 /sq ft

Slight color, visible grain. Balances protection and appearance. Most popular choice.

Solid stain / paint

Recoat intervalEvery 5–7 years

Cost per sq ft$3–$5 /sq ft

Full coverage, hides grain. Longest maintenance interval. More labor-intensive to apply.

💡 Tip: Pre-stain before installing if possible

Staining shakes on the wall is harder than staining flat on sawhorses. Have your supplier pre-stain or prime the bundles, or rent a spray rig and stain them ground-side before the installer hangs them. Save 30–40% on stain labor.

⚠️ Warning: Do not mix shake from different bundles

Each bundle is graded separately. Mixing different bundles on the same wall creates visible color and texture mismatches. Assign each elevation to one or two bundles, and have your installer stage them together before hanging.

❌ Don't: Caulk between shake courses

Caulk traps moisture between courses and causes rot. Shake sheds water through overlap alone. The only places that need sealing are around penetrations (window flashings, electrical outlets) and where shakes meet non-shake surfaces (metal valleys, masonry walls).

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