A Buyer's Guide To Shiplap Siding: What It Is, Where To Use It, Pros, Cons, And More

Shiplap siding is like eggs; it takes on the flavor of the dish. Therefore, shiplap can give your home a rustic, traditional curb appeal or make it look more sleek and modern. Depending on the composition, you may recoup 89% to 95% of your investment from a siding installation. 

This buyer's guide explains everything you need to know about shiplap, from its name to materials to cost, so you can decide if it's suitable for your home.

What is shiplap siding?

Shiplap is a plank siding typically made of wood. The planks have grooves (rabbets) cut along each edge, enabling them to fit together and create a weathertight joint. 

Shiplap siding is used on the exterior and interior of homes.

Styles of shiplap siding

Since the Viking era, shiplap siding has been used more in home design than boat building, so several styles have evolved.

Traditional shiplap

Traditional shiplap siding has square edges, and the planks fit together with just enough room for the wood to expand and contract.

Nickel gap shiplap

Spacing traditional shiplap planks apart the width of a nickel's thickness gives the siding a different look. This style is called nickel gap.

Beveled edge shiplap

A third style of shiplap has beveled edges along the rabbeted joints. This slight space adds visual interest and makes the siding less rustic.

Where is shiplap siding used?

Shiplap siding is used both inside and outside the home. Its use isn't limited to entire structures, either. Frequently, homeowners choose to install shiplap on a single wall, on the upper half of a wall, or surrounding doorways, pairing it with another siding choice for an enhanced curb appeal. Here are a few more ideas for using shiplap siding.

Using shiplap siding inside the home

Homeowners like to include shiplap siding inside the home to create a warm, rustic, or coastal-inspired atmosphere. Here are several ways to use shiplap as an interior design element.

• Create an accent wall. Install shiplap on interior walls to add visual interest and texture. Behind the coffee bar, above the fireplace, or behind the bed, shiplap creates a focal point in any room.
• Use it on the ceiling. Shiplap adds warmth and character to ceilings, making it popular in dining rooms and sun porches. 
• Shiplap makes a homey wainscoting. Install shiplap vertically on the lower half of a wall to add architectural detail, give an appearance of height, and protect the walls from damage. 

Using shiplap siding outside the home

As exterior siding, shiplap offers a timeless look that complements numerous architectural styles. From a modern farmhouse to a contemporary home, it provides aesthetic appeal, durability, and protection from the elements. Shiplap can be installed horizontally or vertically, depending on the look you're trying to achieve. 

Horizontal installation

Traditionally, shiplap is installed with the planks running horizontally around the home to offer superior protection against the elements. This style also gives the house a casual or rustic appearance.

Vertical installation

Photo courtesy of Pro Superior Construction

You can install the shiplap siding vertically for a more modern home style. Inspired by Scandinavian designers, this presentation gives the home a more contemporary look. However, if water penetrates the joints, you could have a problem. Proper installation that includes additional waterproof sheathing and a water channeling system is imperative. 

What is shiplap siding made of?

Historically, shiplap siding is made of wood. Several species are used. Poplar and white pine shiplap are popular options for inside the home. Redwood and cedar shiplap are preferred woods for exterior applications because they are resistant to termites and water damage. Other than wood, you can find shiplap made of the following materials.

• Fiber cement siding combines Portland cement, wood fibers, sand, and water. This material is impervious to insects and water damage. James Hardie® is a popular brand of fiber cement manufacturer that produces shiplap.
• Metal siding manufacturers fabricate steel panels to create a shiplap design. The metal is finished with a coating to prevent corrosion. You can buy steel shiplap from Bridger Steel.
• Mastic® by PlyGem manufactures a vinyl siding profile that resembles shiplap siding. Vinyl siding is the most popular choice for homeowners because it's affordable, easy to maintain, and available in several color options. It's made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), so while it's resistant to water and insect damage, it takes seconds to combust in a fire.
• Composite wood is a mixture of sawdust and recycled plastic. When used for siding, it gives your home a contemporary look that lasts decades. NewTechWood is a famous brand of composite wood that comes in a shiplap profile. 
• LP SmartSide siding is an engineered wood product available in a nickel gap shiplap design. To produce the siding, wood strands are treated with a mixture of waxes, resins, and zinc borate and then bonded together before a water-resistant overlay coats the final product. 

Is shiplap siding expensive?

Cost of wooden shiplap siding by material

The cost to side a home in shiplap varies by size, material, and brand. The cost of new wooden shiplap for the average-sized U.S. home is $8,052 to $19,543, and other materials generally fall within that range. But, since the average home size varies across the country, here is a chart to help you see what it may cost to install shiplap siding on your home.

Pros and cons of shiplap siding

Shiplap siding is an attractive option suitable for various home styles, but is it right for your home? Let's examine some of the pros and cons of shiplap.

Can I DIY my shiplap siding?

Technically, a skilled DIYer can install shiplap siding. But for an exterior siding installation, we don't recommend it for homeowners with no previous siding experience. Maintaining correct tolerances between the siding and other elements like molding, roof shingles, and trim is imperative for proper performance. The inexperienced homeowner doesn't know how to install flashing and underlayment or where to apply caulking. When installing shiplap vertically, there are other considerations to ensure proper water channeling. We haven't even touched on special instructions for alternative materials like fiber cement and steel.

However, installing shiplap inside the home to create visual interest on an accent wall or ceiling is within the scope of the weekend do-it-yourselfer. So, get your toolbox because the step-by-step is next.

Steps to installing shiplap siding inside the home

Installing shiplap inside the home consists of little more than cutting and nailing boards. Paying attention to the details is the difference between friends saying, "Oh, I see you installed shiplap," and "Wow, you had shiplap installed."

When you DIY this project, you eliminate the labor cost, which is generally $64 to $117 per hour, depending on your location. 

Tools needed to install shiplap:

• Hammer and finish nails or a power nailer
• Chalk line
• Level
• Stud finder
• Tape measure
• Mitre saw
• Jigsaw
• Pencil
• Pry bar
• Screwdriver

Step 1: Paint the planks

Since the installed shiplap will have a slight gap between the planks, painting those edges will be difficult. Also, those spaces may open up a bit because of expansion and contraction, revealing the rabbeted edge. For these reasons, you want to paint the planks' front side and edges before installing.

Step 2: Prep the walls

Remove any artwork or decor from the walls before beginning. Also, use a pry bar to remove any crown molding and the baseboards. Remove outlet covers and wall plates. 

Step 3: Remove outlets and switches

Turn off the power at the breaker box and remove any outlets and switches inside the wall. 

Step 4: Find the studs

Most homes have studs behind the drywall 16 inches apart. Use a stud finder to find the studs and mark their placement. When you attach the planks to the wall, you will want to nail into the studs.

Step 5: Check for level

Hold a plank against the ceiling and check to ensure it's level. If it is, you're good to go. If it's not, you'll need to adjust the placement of this starter plank so that the rest are level. Mark a line to follow to get you started.

Step 6: Install the first row

Each plank needs to end at a stud to nail the end down. Hold the first plank up against the adjacent wall. Ensure it ends at a stud line; cut it to fit if it doesn't. Once in place, add planks to finish the row, nailing at each stud.

Step 7: Install the next row

You want the joints where the ends of the planks meet to be staggered from row to row. To achieve this, start your second row with an 8-foot board in the center, ensuring that each end is over a stud line, and work outward. If your area isn't wide enough to fit an 8-foot board, work with boards of random lengths divisible by 16 inches. Also, ensure the boards are seated tight in the rabbeted joint and that the space looks even along the entire length.

Step 8: Install the rest of the planks

Follow this process to install the rest of the planks. When you get to electrical boxes, use a jigsaw to cut the boards to fit around the openings. If you get to the bottom of the wall without enough space for a full plank, you have two options. First, will the baseboard cover the gap? If so, no problem. If not, you can use a table saw to rip a plank the correct width to fit. 

Step 9: Install baseboards and trim

Once the shiplap is installed, you can replace the baseboards, crown molding, and outlets.

Step 10: Touch up

Handling and nailing the painted shiplap may have left a few scars. Use a roller to apply another coat of paint.

Is shiplap siding right for your home?

Some home styles are more suitable for shiplap exterior siding than others. But don't let that stop you. Shiplap lovers everywhere can enjoy the added visual interest inside, no matter their home style. 

Before deciding on a costly exterior siding project, we recommend consulting a professional home designer or installer to determine whether shiplap is the best siding option for your home's exterior.

Frequently asked questions

What is car siding, and is it the same as shiplap?

Car siding resembles shiplap but is slightly different. It consists of wider tongue-and-groove planks with a groove cut down the center. Once installed, it looks like two narrower planks. The name comes from the material once used to line box cars on trains.

How long will shiplap siding last?

Inside the home, the shiplap will last as long as the house. Outside, it depends on the material and how well it is cared for.

Are there downsides to shiplap siding?

Improperly installed vertical shiplap can cause problems with water at the bottom of the wall. If you have no siding installation experience, never try to install exterior shiplap siding, especially vertically.