BLUE LABEL #1 WESTERN RED CEDAR SHINGLES

Product Description

Blue Label #1 Grade Western Red Cedar Shake Shingles

Blue Label #1 Grade Western Red Cedar Shake Shingles are a premium choice for roofing, exterior siding, interior walls, accent features, and restoration projects. Made from 100% heartwood, these shingles offer excellent durability, natural beauty, and long-term performance.

Each shingle is approximately 18 inches long and varies from 3 to 8 inches wide. The lower 10 inches near the butt are 100% clear, and the shingles feature 100% edge grain for improved stability and resistance to splitting and warping.

The shingles have a substantial profile, measuring approximately 1/2 to 5/8 inch thick at the butt and tapering to an average thickness of approximately 1/8 inch at the top. Their thicker construction makes them suitable for both roofing and siding applications.

Coverage and Exposure

Four contractor bundles cover approximately 100 square feet when installed at a 5-1/2-inch exposure.

Coverage will vary depending on:

• Exposure
• Shingle width and spacing
• Valleys, hips, ridges, corners, windows, and other cuts
• Project-specific waste

For ordering purposes, allow additional material for trimming and waste—typically 10% to 15% for straightforward installations, and more for projects with numerous openings, angles, or intricate details.

Recommended Exposure

• Roofing: 5-1/2-inch exposure
• Vertical siding: Up to approximately 7-1/2-inch exposure, subject to local requirements and the desired appearance
• High-wind, severe-weather, or low-slope applications: Use the more conservative exposure and installation requirements specified by local building codes and applicable manufacturer or industry standards

Estimated coverage by exposure

The chart below is calculated from the following baseline:

• Sold in a hobby pack, individual bundle and multiple contractor bundles of 12, 24 and 36 count.
• 4 bundles cover approximately 100 square feet at a 5-1/2-inch exposure
• Estimated coverage does not include waste, starter courses, valleys, dormers, windows, doors, or other special details

Important: For most projects, we recommend ordering 10% to 15% additional material to account for variations in shingle width, sorting, installation layout, starter courses, corners, openings, trimming, pattern selection, and installation waste.

Recommended Hardware and Fasteners

Use corrosion-resistant fasteners designed for exterior cedar applications:

• Stainless-steel ring-shank nails are the preferred option, especially in coastal, high-moisture, or high-rainfall areas.
• Hot-dipped galvanized ring-shank nails are a suitable alternative where permitted by local code.
• Use fasteners long enough to penetrate through the shingle and into the roof deck or siding substrate by at least 3/4 inch, without penetrating excessively into the building interior.
• Avoid plain steel, electro-galvanized, or other fasteners that may rust or stain the cedar.
• Do not use staples unless specifically allowed by the applicable installation standard and project requirements.

Fasteners should be driven flush with the surface—not overdriven or countersunk—to prevent splitting and water penetration.

Recommended Roofing Installation

1. Install over a sound, properly prepared roof deck.
2. Provide adequate roof ventilation and use an approved underlayment or interlayment system suitable for cedar shingles.
3. Begin at the eaves with the required starter course and maintain the specified 5-1/2-inch exposure.
4. Stagger vertical joints between courses so that joints do not line up.
5. Maintain appropriate side gaps between adjacent shingles to allow for natural expansion and prevent buckling. Avoid placing joints directly over joints in the course below.
6. Fasten each shingle with corrosion-resistant ring-shank nails in accordance with local code and accepted cedar-shingle installation practices. As a general practice, use two fasteners per shingle, positioned properly below the butt of the next course.
7. Use compatible cedar details or approved metal flashing at valleys, walls, chimneys, skylights, ridges, and other roof penetrations.
8. Install ridge and hip caps using appropriate overlapping courses or a compatible manufactured system.
9. Do not install cedar shingles directly over an impermeable surface without the required ventilation, drainage, and underlayment provisions.

Because roofing requirements vary by climate, roof pitch, wind exposure, and jurisdiction, always follow local building codes and applicable cedar-roofing standards.

Recommended Siding Installation

1. Install over a properly prepared wall assembly with a suitable weather-resistive barrier.
2. Provide a ventilated rainscreen or drainage plane where required by the wall design, climate, or local code.
3. Use corrosion-resistant stainless-steel or hot-dipped galvanized ring-shank nails.
4. Install with approximately 7-1/2-inch exposure for a traditional siding appearance, unless the project requires a different exposure.
5. Stagger joints between courses and avoid aligning joints vertically.
6. Maintain proper side gaps between shingles to accommodate natural movement.
7. Use compatible flashing around windows, doors, corners, roof-to-wall transitions, and other penetrations.
8. Keep shingles clear of horizontal surfaces and maintain proper clearance from foundations, decks, roofs, and other areas where moisture can accumulate.
9. Allow the cedar to weather naturally or apply a compatible, breathable exterior finish according to the coating manufacturer’s instructions. Test any finish on spare shingles before full installation.

These premium Blue Label #1 Grade shingles are an excellent choice for durable cedar roofing, traditional siding, repairs, accent walls, and high-quality exterior projects.