How to Make Your Own Clap Board Siding

Make sure the lumber you select has been thoroughly dried to avoid any unpleasant surprises due to changes in humidity.

1. Choose straight 3/4-inch thick lumber that is free from open knots, splits and checking. Typical clapboard siding is 6 or 8 inches wide with an overlap of 1 1/2 to 2-inches. Use 1 by 6 or 1 by 8 lumber.

2. Set your table saw blade as high as it will go at a 15 degree angle for 1 by 6 lumber, or 10 degrees for 1 by 8. Set the fence 3/8-inch from the bottom of the raised and tilted blade.

3. Run your siding stock across the table saw with one 3/4-inch edge down, cutting a bevel along its length. Keep the boards pressed against the table and the fence and feed them slowly to avoid chipping and splits.

4. Install a 1/4-inch roundover bit into your router and set the depth to1/4-inch. Run the router along the thick edge of the boards counterclockwise. Rout the thick edge on each face of each board to round off the edge.

5. Clamp the board to your work surface with a C clamp and sand with a belt sander to remove any ridge where the tip of the table saw blade removed the wedge from your siding lumber. Sand both faces of the board thoroughly with 150 grit paper. A random orbital power sander is the best tool for the job.

6. Repeat the cutting and sanding process until you have enough siding to cover the intended area.

7. Start installation from the bottom. Mark a line along the bottom edge of the intended siding installation with a level. Nail the first board with its bottom edge along this line. Drive one nail every 12 to 16 inches.

8. Measure from the top of the first board down to 1 1/2 inches and mark a line along the board with a chalk line. Place the second board with its bottom edge along this line and nail in place. Continue marking and adding boards until the siding installation is complete.