Best Wood Shake Shingle Siding Options for Cedar Exteriors
For wood shake shingle siding, choose cedar shingles made specifically for sidewall installation when you want a consistent exterior layout. Pacific Coast’s grooved Western Red Cedar shingles suit buyers seeking a defined texture, while Miller Shingle’s R&R options are designed for sidewalls and offer kiln-dried construction. The Miller undercourse product is intended for starter or concealed courses, and Briwooody’s cedar shingles are a more general-purpose option. Check coverage and exposure before ordering; the products below do not all serve the same installation role.
| Product | Best for | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Coast R&R Grooved Shingles | Textured sidewall finish | Western Red Cedar; machine-grooved face |
| Miller #4 Undercourse | Starter or undercourse use | Utility grade; coverage varies by exposure |
| Miller Primed R&R Grooved | Sidewall shingles with primed finish | High-grade #1 kiln-dried shingles |
| Miller Natural Groove R&R | Natural cedar sidewall appearance | Half-square carton covers 50 sq. ft. at 14-inch exposure |
| Briwooody Cedar Shingles | Small or flexible cedar projects | 64 pieces; stated coverage is 20–25 sq. ft. |
Pacific Coast R&R Grooved Cedar Shingles
These 18-inch Western Red Cedar shingles are resquared and rebutted (R&R) for a more consistent fit and alignment. Their machine-grooved faces add visible texture and shadowing, making this option a good fit for homeowners who want the siding pattern to read clearly across the wall.
Best for: Buyers seeking R&R cedar sidewall shingles with a grooved face. The product was selected for its stated sidewall use, cedar construction, and decorative surface detail.
Consider: The listing identifies the carton as a half square but does not provide a coverage figure in the supplied features. Confirm the intended exposure and coverage before calculating quantities.
Miller Shingle #4 Cedar Undercourse
This 18-inch utility-grade Western Red Cedar shingle is specified for undercoursing on double-coursed sidewalls and for starter shingles. The listed coverage is 100 square feet at 14-inch exposure or 50 square feet at 7-inch exposure, so the planned exposure makes a substantial difference to material estimates.
Best for: Installers who need a starter or undercourse product rather than a decorative exposed shingle. It earned a place here because it addresses a distinct part of a double-coursed siding installation.
Consider: Its utility grade and undercourse purpose make it a different choice from the high-grade R&R products intended for exposed sidewall use.
Miller Primed R&R Grooved Cedar Shingles
Miller Shingle describes these 18-inch shingles as high-grade #1 kiln-dried cedar, grooved on one side, and rebutted and rejointed. They are specifically designed for sidewall application. The half-square carton is listed to cover 50 square feet at 14-inch exposure for double-coursed installation.
Best for: Buyers who want a grooved, R&R sidewall shingle in a primed option. Its stated grade, kiln-dried construction, and sidewall design make it a more application-specific choice than general cedar pieces.
Consider: The supplied features do not specify the primer type or a final paint or stain system. Verify finish requirements for the project rather than assuming a particular coating is included.
Miller Natural Groove R&R Sidewall Shingles
This natural-finish option shares the listed construction details of Miller’s other R&R sidewall shingles: high-grade #1, 18-inch kiln-dried cedar, grooved on one side, and rebutted and rejointed. A half-square carton covers 50 square feet at 14-inch exposure for double-coursed siding.
Best for: Buyers comparing a natural cedar look with a grooved face and stated sidewall application. The coverage information makes it easier to estimate than listings without an exposure figure.
Consider: The stated coverage is tied to a specific 14-inch exposure and double-coursed installation; do not use it as a universal coverage estimate for other layouts.
Briwooody Western Red Cedar Shingles
This package contains 64 Western Red Cedar shingles, each listed as 18 inches long, 5.8 inches wide, and 0.6 inches thick at the butt, tapering to 0.1 inches. The supplied product details state that the pieces cover approximately 20–25 square feet and are intended for uses that include roofing and indoor or outdoor projects.
Best for: Buyers considering a smaller cedar project or a product with stated piece dimensions and package coverage. It is included as a flexible cedar option, not as a clearly specified R&R sidewall system.
Consider: The features do not identify these as R&R sidewall shingles or give a siding exposure pattern. Confirm suitability for the planned wall assembly before choosing them for exterior siding.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Cedar Shake Siding
Are the shingles made for sidewall installation?
Start with the listed application. Products described as sidewall shingles are the clearest match for exterior siding. An undercourse shingle serves a different function, while general-purpose cedar pieces may not specify the layout, exposure, or installation role needed for a siding project.
What do R&R and grooved mean for the choice?
R&R means resquared and rebutted or resquared and rejointed, depending on the product description. These listings position R&R shingles as options for more consistent fit and alignment. A grooved face adds surface texture. Compare these features based on the appearance and installation details you need; they do not replace checking the product’s stated application.
How should you estimate coverage?
Use the coverage figure only with its stated exposure and installation pattern. For example, Miller’s R&R half-square carton is listed at 50 square feet at 14-inch exposure for double coursing. The undercourse product gives different coverage at 14-inch and 7-inch exposure. Measure the wall area and account for openings, cuts, and project-specific layout needs.
Should you choose primed or natural shingles?
Choose based on the finish plan, but verify what the listing actually states. A product labeled primed may suit a project planning a coated finish, while a natural option may be appropriate when the cedar appearance is preferred. The provided details do not identify specific coating systems or maintenance requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cedar shingles are best for wood shake shingle siding?
Choose shingles explicitly designed for sidewall use. The Miller R&R options and Pacific Coast grooved sidewall shingles are the most directly specified for that purpose in this selection.
Can undercourse shingles be used as exposed siding?
The Miller #4 product is described for undercoursing on double-coursed sidewalls and for starter shingles. Its features do not describe it as the exposed finish course.
How much siding does a half-square carton cover?
Coverage varies by product and exposure. Miller’s R&R carton is listed to cover 50 square feet at 14-inch exposure in a double-coursed layout; confirm the listing and installation plan before ordering.
Are all cedar shingles in this list grooved?
No. The Pacific Coast and Miller R&R listings specify grooved faces. The Briwooody product’s supplied features do not state that it has a grooved face.