Siding is the most visible part of a house and one of the first lines of defense against weather. Getting it to the job site in good condition, at the right price, on schedule, is a logistics problem as much as a construction problem. Behind every siding installation is a supply chain that moves material from a mill to a regional warehouse to a lumberyard to the wall of a house.
The choices a homeowner makes, from installing vinyl siding to hanging cedar boards, depend on what local suppliers stock. When a manufacturer adds a distributor in a new region, contractors gain a reliable source and homeowners gain options.
How Siding Reaches the Job Site
Siding moves through a distribution chain with several links. A manufacturer produces cedar siding products at its mills. A distributor buys in bulk, warehouses the inventory, and sells to dealers and contractors across a defined territory. The dealer or lumberyard serves the local installer and the homeowner. Each link adds cost, so shorter chains usually mean lower prices.
For the installer, the chain matters because exterior siding installation quality depends on getting the right material at the right time. A batch of siding that sits in a damp warehouse can warp, and a special order that takes six weeks stalls the whole exterior schedule. Contractors plan around the local chain’s stock and lead times.
The Distribution Chain, Link by Link
| Link | Role | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Mills, grades, and finishes siding products | Cedar siding mill in Quebec |
| Distributor | Buys bulk inventory and serves a territory | Regional forest products company |
| Dealer or lumberyard | Sells to installers and homeowners | Local building supply yard |
| Installer | Orders, receives, and installs the cladding | Siding contractor or crew |
What a Regional Partnership Includes
When a manufacturer and a distributor sign an agreement, the deal typically covers territory, product lines, inventory commitments, and marketing support. The manufacturer gains distribution without building its own warehouses; the distributor gains a product line to sell through its existing customer relationships.
Territory and Product Scope
Territories are usually defined by state lines or delivery radius. Product scope names which lines the distributor will stock and whether it can sell to dealers, contractors, or both. A distributor that already carries complementary products, such as trim and fasteners, can bundle orders and cut the installer’s delivery costs.
Regional Distribution Deals in the Siding Market
A concrete example of the model: in November 2018, Maibec signed a new distribution partnership with Capital Forest Products of Annapolis, Maryland, giving the Canadian cedar siding maker a route into the Mid-Atlantic market. Trade coverage of the Maibec-Capital Forest Products partnership agreement noted that Capital’s Cedar Specialty Group would distribute Maibec products in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
The deal matters to contractors in those states because it added a local source for cedar siding that previously required longer shipping or special orders. For the manufacturer, it filled a geographic gap without the cost of a new facility. For the installer, it meant shorter lead times and freight savings on a premium cladding material.
Why Manufacturers Sign Distributors
- Distributors already have warehouses, trucks, and customer relationships in the region.
- A local stock reduces freight cost and delivery time for every order.
- Distributors bundle products, so siding arrives with trim, fasteners, and accessories.
- The manufacturer’s sales team can focus on new regions instead of running logistics.
What It Means for the Contractor
When a distributor picks up a line, the contractor’s first call should confirm stock levels, lead times, and pricing tiers. Many distributors offer contractor pricing on account, and the savings compound across a whole exterior package. Build the relationship before the busy season, not during it.
Installing Clapboard Siding
Clapboard, also called lap siding, is the classic horizontal profile. Each board overlaps the one below it, and the overlap sheds water down the wall. Layout starts at the bottom with a level starter course, and every subsequent course is spaced with a gauge block or story pole to keep the reveals even.
The work is straightforward for a two-person crew, but solo installers use simple aids. Homemade hangers that hook over the last installed course hold the next board at the correct reveal while the installer nails it. That technique, part of one-person siding work, turns a two-person job into a solo project without sacrificing accuracy.
Layout and Nailing
- Snap a level line for the starter course, leaving the recommended gap above grade.
- Install the starter course and check it with a level.
- Set the exposure with a gauge block cut to the manufacturer’s spec.
- Nail through the overlap so the fastener is covered by the next board.
- Leave a small gap at butt joints to allow for expansion.
Flashing and Weather Barriers
Siding is only as good as what is behind it. A weather barrier, properly lapped flashing at windows and doors, and a ventilated gap where the product calls for it keep moisture out of the wall cavity. Install the barriers first, then hang the cladding over a flat, dry plane.
Working Solo With Hangers
A homemade hanger is a length of wood or metal with a lip that hooks the top edge of the last installed course. The board rests on the hanger at the exact reveal, leaving both hands free for the nailer. One person can complete a wall in about the same time as a crew when the layout is marked in advance.
Cedar Shake and Shingle Siding
Cedar shakes and shingles give a wall texture that machined siding cannot match. Shingles are sawn on both faces for a smooth surface; shakes are split on one face for a rougher, more rustic look. Both are installed in overlapping courses, and both benefit from the same careful layout and fastening discipline. Professional techniques for cedar shake and shingle siding start with grade selection and exposure.
Shakes Versus Shingles
| Feature | Shakes | Shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Split on one face, sawn on the other | Sawn smooth on both faces |
| Appearance | Rustic, textured | Clean, uniform |
| Exposure | 7.5 to 10 inches typical | 5 to 7.5 inches typical |
| Relative cost | Higher | Lower than shakes |
Exposure and Fastening
Exposure is the amount of each course left visible, and it is set by the manufacturer’s grade tables. Over-exposing a course shortens the life of the siding because the nailed area moves closer to the exposed edge. Fasten each shingle with two nails placed about three-quarters of an inch from each edge and high enough to be covered by the next course.
Starter courses are doubled at the eave, and inside and outside corners get special treatment with metal corners or mitered and caulked joints. Ventilation behind the siding keeps the back of the cedar dry, which is the single biggest factor in how long a cedar wall lasts.
Comparing Siding Materials
Cedar competes with a range of cladding materials, and the right choice depends on budget, climate, and maintenance appetite. The most common comparison pits fiber cement siding vs vinyl siding, with cedar and engineered wood completing the picture. Each material has a different installed cost, lifespan, and upkeep schedule.
Cost and Lifespan at a Glance
| Material | Installed Cost per Sq Ft | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar | $8 to $12 | 20 to 40 years | Stain or seal every 3 to 5 years |
| Vinyl | $4 to $8 | 25 to 40 years | Wash occasionally |
| Fiber cement | $6 to $10 | 30 to 50 years | Repaint every 10 to 15 years |
| Engineered wood | $5 to $9 | 20 to 30 years | Repaint every 5 to 10 years |
Choosing for the Climate
In hot, sunny climates, vinyl’s expansion and contraction demand loose nailing and wide channels. In coastal zones, cedar’s natural resistance to rot and insects earns its premium price. In wildfire-prone areas, fiber cement’s noncombustible face is a major advantage. Match the material to the weather, not just the budget.
What Drives the Decision
Three questions settle most siding choices: How long will the owner stay? How much maintenance is acceptable? What is the local climate doing to exteriors? A buyer who plans to move in five years chooses differently from one who plans to age in place. Contractors who ask these questions before quoting avoid change orders later.
Fasteners and Fixings for Siding
The fastest way to ruin a siding job is the wrong fastener. Nails that are too short fail to bite the sheathing, nails that are too long telegraph through interior walls, and nails without corrosion resistance streak the face of the siding. For cedar and other softwoods, ring shank nails hold better than smooth nails because the rings grip the wood fibers.
Choosing the Right Nail
- Use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless nails for cedar to prevent staining.
- Match nail length to siding thickness plus 1.25 inches of penetration.
- Choose ring shank for horizontal laps and shingles.
- Use roofing nails with a wide head for shake applications.
Nailing Patterns That Prevent Problems
- Nail through the overlap so the head is covered by the next course.
- Keep nails straight; angled nails split the board and reduce holding power.
- Set the head flush, not buried, so the board can move with humidity.
- Space nails about 16 inches apart along the length of each board.
- Never nail through two overlapping courses at the same point.
The supply chain that puts cedar on a wall, the layout that keeps the reveals even, and the fasteners that hold it for decades are all part of one system. A contractor who controls all three delivers a siding job that looks right on day one and stays right for years.