Wood Wall Cladding Key Terms

Understand the terminology of wood wall cladding

By Steven A. Ottem

Understanding wood wall cladding key terms involves becoming familiar with styles of paneling as well as types of joints and methods of transitioning from paneling to other surfaces. As you look at horizontal and vertical wall coverings you will also see terms such as wainscoting and ship lap, for example.

While viewing installation procedures for wood paneling, you will see various wall construction terms. Other terms for wood wall cladding involve ways of fastening siding to the building. Nails, for instance, can be ring or spiral shank and constructed from materials such as aluminum or hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel.

Face nailing

To install horizontal exterior wood wall cladding, you must either face nail or blind nail the panels. Nailing at the top of the panel allows you to place the nail so the next row of siding covers the nail. Nailing on the exposed portion of the panel where the nail will be visible is face nailing.
Try: Part of the instructions for installing siding from Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford demonstrates the two methods of fastening siding and tells you which nails are best for each.

Tongue and groove

Tongue and groove is a way of interlocking siding panels to make a stronger structure, as well as to provide a more impenetrable surface. The top part of a siding panel would have a tongue along its edge that fits into a slot or groove in the bottom of the next panel.
Try: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association illustrates six types of tongue and groove joints used in wood wall cladding systems.

Flashing

Flashing refers either to the material used or the process of installing the material to prevent water from entering through joints in siding where doors, windows or other transitions take place. For wood wall cladding, you use flashing above the door or window to direct water flow away from the window or door. You can also use it where siding panels meet in a butt joint.
Try: This Old House illustrates a typical method of installing flashing that will prevent moisture from getting behind the siding below a joint.

Beveled siding

Manufacturers cut beveled siding with a taper from top to bottom rather than cutting it square. You will find rabetted or plain bevel styles.
Try: Nu Forest Products illustrates both bevels along with several other styles such as ship lap and board and batten wood cladding systems.

Sheathing

Sheathing is the material fastened to the wall studs. You install wood wall cladding over the sheathing, along with other barriers designed to stop moisture and air from penetrating into the wall.
Try: California Redwood Association provides a good illustration of all the components of a wall, including the sheathing. Scroll to and select Redwood Siding Patterns and Applications to get the PDF file with the illustration.

Butt joint

A butt joint occurs where two pieces of wood come together, such as at a corner. At these joints, you need to fasten the wood together with nails or dowels. Wood cladding systems require some kind of corner cover or treatment.
Try: The Old House Web illustrates corner treatments including miter joints and butt joints.