Western Red Cedar bevel siding is the most widely-used siding type. It is produced by resawing lumber at an angle to produce two pieces thicker on one edge than the other. The manufacturing process results in pieces with one face saw textured. The other face is smooth or saw textured depending on the grade and customer preference. Bevel siding is installed horizontally and gives an attractive shadow line which varies with the thickness of siding selected.
Grades
Bevel siding is available in clear and knotty grades. Clear siding gives premium quality appearance and is ideal for prestigious, upmarket applications. Knotty siding has warmth and casual charm and is ideal for homes, cottages, club-houses and applications where a rustic appearance is desired.
Finger-Joined Bevel
WRCLA members also produce finger-joined bevel siding in clear and knotty grades. The precision-fitted joins are virtually invisible and stronger than the surrounding fiber. Finger-joined bevel siding is available in lengths up to 16 feet and provides the handsome appearance and all-weather performance of premium cedar siding. Builders appreciate both the convenient long length tally and the speed and ease of installation with fewer field joins.
Bevel Siding Grading
Clear bevel siding is graded for smooth face use with the exception of Rustic which is graded for saw textured use only.
Clear V.G. Heart
This is the highest bevel siding grade. All Clear V.G. Heart grade is sawn vertical grain (edge grain) and is kiln dried. Pieces have a smooth face of decay-resistant heartwood and are free from growth characteristics that affect appearance or performance. Pieces have excellent dimensional stability and hold finishes exceptionally well.
Available solid wood or finger-joined.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 201a WCLIB 106-aa WWPA 21.11
A Clear
This is a fine appearance grade that allows only slightly more growth characteristics than Clear Heart. Pieces are of mixed grain.These mixed grain (vertical and flat) pieces are graded from the surfaced face.
Typically sold with a percentage of B grade (NLGA 201C/WCLIB 106b/WWPA 21.13)
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 201b / 201c WCLIB 106-a WWPA 21.12
Common specifications are A and Better and A and Better with a percentage of B Clear allowed.
Rustic
Rustic grade bevel siding is recommended for use as sidewall covering where the distinctive charm of a rustic saw textured appearance is desired. This grade allows limited characteristics that do not detract from serviceability.
Available solid wood or finger-joined.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 201d WCLIB N/A WWPA N/A
Select Knotty*
Knots and other natural features define the visual character of knotty sidings. In Select Knotty grade, knots are sound and tight. Available rough or dressed, kiln-dried or unseasoned and smooth or saw textured. Some companies may supply this grade with knots glued on the reverse face.
Common specifications are Select Knotty with a percentage of Quality Knotty allowed.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 205a WCLIB 111-e WWPA N/A
Architect Knotty®
This product is intended to be fully usable with the resawn face exposed after trimming to fit the stud wall spacing. Contains no open characteristics or through defects. The product allows the use of adhesives on the reverse face to secure knots. Architect Knotty® is particularly well suited for factory priming or finishing. Supplied kiln-dried.
Architect Knotty® is a registered trademark of the WRCLA
Grading Rule Paragraph
Propriety WRCLA NLGA – National Lumber Grades Authority WCLIB – West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau WWPA – Western Wood Products Association
Bevel Siding Sizes
Sizes of Western Red Cedar Bevel Siding
Nominal Size (in.)
Type
Grade
1/2 x 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 8 11/16 x 6 11/16 x 8 3/4 x 6 3/4 x 8 3/4 x 10
Plain Bevel
Clear V.G. Heart A Rustic B C Proprietary
5/8 x 6 5/8 x 8 11/16 x 6 11/16 x 8 11/16 x 10 3/4 x 6 3/4 x 8 3/4 x 10 7/8 x 8 7/8 x 10 7/8 x 12
Siding may be available finger joined or finger joined and edge glued.
Bevel Siding Coverage
Bevel Siding Coverage Table for Seasoned Sidings
Assuming minimum one inch overlaps. Larger overlaps can be used, particularly on wider bevel sidings such as 10″ and 12″ pieces.
Nominal Width (in.)
Dressed Width (in.)
Exposed Face (in.)
Linear Feet Factor
Surface Measure
4
3-1/2
2-1/2
4.80
1.60
6
5-1/2
4-1/2
2.67
1.33
8
7-1/2
6-1/2
1.85
1.23
10
9-1/2
8-1/2
1.41
1.18
12
11-1/2
10-1/2
1.14
1.14
For More Information
See the Siding Calculator in the Siding section to calculate the required siding for your project.
Bevel Siding Specifications
Specifying Bevel Siding
The following information is required when specifying bevel siding products:
Specification Information Required
Sample Specification
Species: Western Red Cedar
WRCLA Western Red Cedar
Product Pattern and Intended Use: Siding is used as an exterior cladding to provide both weather protection and architectural style. The designer may choose from plain bevel, rabbetted bevel, or wavy edge bevel.
Plain Bevel Siding
Size: Specify the nominal size of the product.
1/2 x 6 in.
Grade: The grade of the product governs its overall quality. Refer to WRCLA specification literature or grading agency rule books for available grades.
Clear V.G. Heart
Grading Agency Paragraph: To ensure that the product meets a written standard, an agency grade paragraph should be referenced.
NLGA para. 201a
Moisture Content: Specify whether the product is to be green (unseasoned) or kiln-dried.
Kiln dried
Surface to be exposed: Specify the application orientation to assist the supplier in shipping the right product for the job.
Surface face
Quantity: Express in surface measure the quantity required. See table for factor to convert square feet to surface measure.