Fish scale siding is a decorative scalloped shingle profile, not one universal product or installation method. For cedar, follow the selected shingle’s species-, grade-, and exposure-specific instructions; Berridge metal fish scale tiles and CertainTeed polymer scallop panels each require their own current manufacturer details. The steps below focus on cedar wall shingles and explain where the other systems differ. This is exterior wall cladding guidance, not a roofing procedure.
Choose the fish scale siding system first
Before laying out a wall, identify the product, material, dimensions, grade, intended exposure, and approved installation. Cedar shingles are installed piece by piece, with spacing and exposure affected by species, grade, and application. Berridge’s fish scale product is a formed steel tile with concealed fastening. CertainTeed Cedar Impressions Perfection Shapes are molded polymer panels. Do not transfer the layout or fastening rules from one system to another.
| System | What the sources establish | What to verify before installation |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar sidewall shingles | Individual shingles; the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau (CSSB) provides separate guidance for spacing, exposure, fasteners, and coursing by product and application. | Exact species, grade, dimensions, maximum exposure, local requirements, and product-specific instructions. Start with the CSSB Sidewall Installation Manual. |
| Berridge Fish Scale Shingles | Formed steel tiles; Berridge lists solid sheathing and concealed fasteners. Its current product page specifies mansard use at 80 degrees or steeper. | Current installation details, trim drawings, and project requirements. The product page links the installation details. |
| CertainTeed Cedar Impressions Perfection Shapes | Molded polymer scallop panels; available guide search evidence describes a solid nailable substrate and vertical-surface use, not roofing. | Current CertainTeed instructions for the exact product. Do not infer a full procedure from cedar-shingle guidance or use as roofing without explicit manufacturer approval. The guide is available at this installation guide PDF. |
For Berridge, the manufacturer’s current product page gives coverage of 8 1/2 inches by 11 1/2 inches and calls for solid sheathing, concealed fasteners, and channel at end walls and flashed areas; it specifies special channel where color shows on all sides. Berridge’s 2018 data sheet lists 148 shingles per square and full-square ordering. Confirm current documentation before specifying or ordering rather than treating older data as a guarantee of present availability or packaging.
How to install cedar fish scale wall shingles
Use these steps only when the selected product is individual cedar shingles intended for sidewall use. The CSSB’s August 2025 manual provides general sidewall guidance, but it does not replace product instructions or local code. The bureau explicitly says its instructions are not meant to supersede local code requirements.
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1. Confirm the assembly and prepare the wall
Check the local code and the selected shingle’s current instructions for the wall’s water-resistive barrier, flashing, sheathing, fire and wind requirements, and fastening schedule. The CSSB recommends plywood-panel or dimensional-lumber sheathing; other locally approved substrates require consideration of fastener holding power. Make the surface smooth, and remove projecting nails or drive them flush. Confirm the chosen shingles are intended for the wall application and establish their maximum approved exposure before laying out courses.
2. Install underlayment and flashing
For the CSSB’s recommended No. 30 organic felt, run the underlayment horizontally, starting at the base. Overlap successive horizontal courses by 2 inches, overlap new rolls vertically by 6 inches, and wrap the felt 4 inches around inside and outside corners. Do not interlay shingles or shakes with organic felt on sidewall applications. Flash doors, windows, and penetrations according to local code and the selected system’s details; underlayment and flashing are part of the wall assembly, not optional finishing steps.
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3. Lay out courses and openings
Use a story pole to mark the planned course spacing so the scalloped pattern stays consistent. Where practical, align butt lines with openings. Account for the selected cedar species, grade, shingle width, moisture content, exposure, and local environment: these factors affect movement and spacing. Do not borrow a generic exposure for another fish-scale cut or grade.
4. Set shingle gaps and stagger joints
For No. 1 Western Red Cedar sidewall shingles, the CSSB’s August 2025 manual specifies 1/8 to 1/4 inch between shingles; for No. 1 Yellow Cedar, it specifies 3/16 to 5/16 inch. Other grades have separate allowances. Keep at least 1 1/2 inches of side lap between joints in adjacent courses, and use the selected product’s maximum exposure and approved layout. The manual’s spacing figures apply to the stated species and grade, not automatically to every fish-scale product.
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- 🎐 Larger Coverage --- Each panel measures 0.6 x 1.2m (2 x 3.9ft), 0.72 m² (7.7 sq. ft.). 2 Pack can cover 1.44 m² (15 sq. ft.), 12mm (1/2") thick, can effectively prevent children from collision, take care of your family.
- 🎐 Easy to Install --- Measure the wall, cut the size with knife/scissors, apply the adhesive evenly on the back of the panel, and then stick it to the wall surface, and finally use the air nail to fix it will be more solid.
- 🎐 Interior Wall Decor --- Suitable for all kinds of rough walls, concrete walls, white walls, wallpaper and wallcovering surfaces, brick walls, floors and even furniture surfaces. Anywhere you want to remodel.
- 🎐 Wide Application --- Can be used for any residential and commercial interiors. Widely used in homes, living rooms, bedrooms, game rooms, bathrooms, feature walls, ceilings, TV backdrops, entryways, editing rooms, video game lounges, kitchen backdrops, hotel, lobby, offices and more.
5. Install the starter course and work upward
The CSSB’s single-course guidance calls for a doubled starting course. Keep the courses straight and level, and check level every three or four courses. Set each succeeding course to the planned exposure, maintaining the required gaps and joint offset. The CSSB describes concealed nailing approximately 1 inch above the butt line of the succeeding course; confirm nail placement for the exact product and layout.
6. Fasten with the specified corrosion resistance
The CSSB manual calls for two fasteners per shingle or shake and at least 3/4 inch of fastener penetration into the sheathing, or fasteners that pass through it. Within 15 miles of salt water, it specifies Type 316 stainless steel nails. Outside that zone, it permits Type 304 or Type 316 stainless steel or qualifying hot-dipped galvanized fasteners. It expressly prohibits electrogalvanized fasteners. Check current product and local requirements before choosing fasteners.
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- 🎐 Larger Coverage --- Each panel measures 0.6 x 1.2m (2 x 3.9ft), 0.72 m² (7.7 sq. ft.). 2 Pack can cover 1.44 m² (15 sq. ft.), 12mm (1/2") thick, can effectively prevent children from collision, take care of your family.
- 🎐 Easy to Install --- Measure the wall, cut the size with knife/scissors, apply the adhesive evenly on the back of the panel, and then stick it to the wall surface, and finally use the air nail to fix it will be more solid.
- 🎐 Interior Wall Decor --- Suitable for all kinds of rough walls, concrete walls, white walls, wallpaper and wallcovering surfaces, brick walls, floors and even furniture surfaces. Anywhere you want to remodel.
- 🎐 Wide Application --- Can be used for any residential and commercial interiors. Widely used in homes, living rooms, bedrooms, game rooms, bathrooms, feature walls, ceilings, TV backdrops, entryways, editing rooms, video game lounges, kitchen backdrops, hotel, lobby, offices and more.
What changes for metal and polymer scallop siding
Berridge formed-steel tiles
Berridge lists solid sheathing, concealed fasteners, and channel at end walls and flashed areas. Its product page specifies use on mansards at 80 degrees or steeper. These facts do not establish a complete field installation sequence: obtain the current Berridge installation details and project-specific trim drawings for fastening, course layout, and transitions. Do not substitute cedar-shingle directions.
CertainTeed polymer panels
Cedar Impressions Perfection Shapes have their own installation guide. Available guide search evidence indicates a solid nailable substrate and vertical-surface use; it does not support roof application. Follow the current guide for substrate, layout, fastening, trim, and flashing rather than applying the cedar procedure to molded panels.
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- Larger Coverage — Each panel measures 0.6 × 1.2 m (2 × 3.9 ft), covering 0.72 m² (7.7 sq. ft.). A 2-pack covers 1.44 m² (15 sq. ft.). With a thickness of 12 mm (1/2"), it helps cushion impacts and adds an extra layer of safety for your family
- Easy Installation — Simply measure the wall, cut to size with a knife or scissors, apply adhesive evenly to the back, and stick it to the surface. For added stability, secure with air nails if needed.
- Interior Wall Decor — Suitable for various surfaces including rough walls, concrete, painted walls, wallpaper, brick, floors, and even furniture. Perfect for upgrading any space.
- Wide Application — Ideal for both residential and commercial use. Perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, game rooms, bathrooms, feature walls, ceilings, TV backdrops, entryways, kitchens, hotels, lobbies, offices, and more.
Check the details before starting
- Verify the product’s intended use, current installation instructions, dimensions, exposure, finish requirements, and warranty or code documentation.
- Confirm local requirements for the complete wall assembly, including water-resistive barrier, flashing, sheathing, fire and wind provisions, and fasteners.
- For historic properties, check preservation constraints and obtain any required approvals before changing the material or profile.
- Use suitable fall protection and eye, hearing, and hand protection for cutting and overhead work. Follow the tool and product safety instructions for the work being performed.
Real Cedar’s guide to shingle panels covers a different product format: it describes horizontal building paper starting at the wall bottom with 3-inch overlaps, panel installation over nailable sheathing or studs, and clearances around ends and flashing. Those panel directions do not establish dimensions or installation instructions for individual fish-scale shingles. See Real Cedar’s shingle-panel guide only when working with that panel product.
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