Ship Lap & Nickel Gap Siding and Paneling Patterns
In woodworking Shiplap actually refers to the Shiplap Joint where two matching "rabbeted" board ends meet and overlap.
Ship Lap Siding is a type of Drop Lap siding with a tight "flush joint" profile. It is similar to tongue and groove but with a single over lap - usually 1/2" in depth but can me more or less depending on the width of the board 6", 8", 10" or the shiplap profile selected.
Shiplap is known for its ability to form a tight seal while allowing the wood siding to "breath" with changes in season and humidity.
Ship-lap siding can be installed horizontally or vertically with the edge of one board having a recessed area which receives the shaped top edge of the board next to or below it, so as to exclude water during rainfall. In vertical applications, be sure to bevel cut the ends and install the shiplap siding so water is directed to the outside.
1x8" SHIPLAP PATTERN CEDAR SIDING STK MILL SELECT GRADE
PROFILES
SHIP LAP PATTERN PROFILES
There are 2 standard Shiplap pattern profiles
1. Ship-lap Pattern: Square Edge
2. Ship-lap Pattern: Beveled Edge
In the last few years a modification to the standard Shiplap "Flush Joint" profile has gained in prominance.
"NICKEL GAP" a Custom Milled SHIPLAP Pattern
In the last few years a modification to the standard Shiplap "Flush Joint" profile has gained in prominance. Sometimes called Nickel Gap, Shadow Gap, Shadow Profile, Shadow Line, Small Reveal and "Thin Line" this is a custom milled shiplap profile that includes a narrow gap where the boards overlap. When installed a "shadow" effect is created.
SHIPLAP NICKEL 3/8" GAP 1X8" NEAR CLEAR CEDAR SIDING FACTORY FINISHED TIMBEROX "REDWOOD"
We originally identified this custom SHIPLAP profile as "Shadow Gap" but then learned that the original term coined was "Nickel Gap" for the size of gap between installed boards.
The diagram outlines the joins between the installed boards. "G" is the custom milled gap which can vary based on the "shadow line" emphasis the customer is looking for - but is usually narrow often only 3/16 - 3/8 inch (approximately the thickness of a nickel ;-)
1x6 CLEAR Cedar Shiplap "Nickel GAP" profile - Mill Pre-Stained TWP Natural #1530 – home in New Jersey
1x6 SHIPLAP PATTERN - CUSTOM MILLED 1/4" NICKEL GAP "SHADOW" PROFILE - CVG CEDAR STAINED TIMBER OX "Walnut"
1x6 SHIPLAP with Custom Shadow Gap Profile Near Clear Red Cedar Siding - Missouri home
Shiplap Siding TRUE Measure
You might be wondering why our Buffalo diagrams above have letters - A, B, C - instead of actual measurements. That is because siding measurements can vary from mill to mill and lumber yard to lumber yard. Using letters allows us to confirm the TRUE dimensions with the mill before we sell to our customers.
NOMINAL SIZES are for identification only. Even though a pattern is called 1x6" or 1x8" that does not mean it measures 1 inch thick and 6 or 8 inches wide. Nominal 1x6, 1x8 refers to the size before the pattern profile is milled and NOT the board's final finished or "dressed" dimensions.
A 1" NOMINAL is usually 11/16ths inch thick. A 6" NOMINAL shiplap pattern is usually 5 3/8 - 5 1/2" wide including the overlap which results in 4 7/8 - 5 1/8 inches of exposed face depending on lap depth. An 8" NOMINAL shiplap pattern is usually 7 1/8 - 7 1/4" wide including the overlap which results in 6 5/8 - 6 7/8 inches of exposed face depending on the lap depth.
This is called the pattern's "exposure" - the visible part of the board when installed on your wall.
The Western Wood Products Association (WWPA) and California Redwood Association (CRA) diagrams below are industry pattern standards and display actual numbers but they are guidelines not milling requirements. Over the years milled dimensions have shrunk (and continue to do so). Once you have calculated your project's SQUARE FOOT area you need to get the true dimensions - especially the exposure - of the wood siding boards you are buying.
BEFORE: Rustic Indiana Horse Barn before remodelAFTER: Red Cedar Shiplap Siding - Verticle Install
We carry products from suppliers located all across the country so each delivery will be calculated based on location of customer, location of product manufacturer and weight of total shipment. See Areas we ship to and Delivery Information.
International Shipping and Delivery
Buffalo Lumber offers full 20 and 40 foot container quotes internationally. Europe, Asia, Africa - anywhere a container will go we can get it there. We can only quote full 20 and 40 foot containers - smaller shipments would be customer arranged.
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