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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. 

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Ship lap siding Pattern
Ship lap Flush Joint siding Pattern


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 be 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.


SHIPLAP CEDAR SIDING SQUARE EDGE 1x8 STK MILL SELECT GRADE FINISHED CABOTS BLACK SOLID STAIN
SHIPLAP CEDAR SIDING SQUARE EDGE 1x8" STK MILL SELECT GRADE FINISHED CABOTS "BLACK" SOLID STAIN


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.


SHIPLAP CEDAR SIDING PRICES


1x8 SHIPLAP PATTERN CEDAR SIDING STK MILL SELECT GRADE
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

Shiplap Pattern - Square Edge

2. Ship-lap Pattern: Beveled Edge

Shiplap 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 FINISHED TIMBEROX REDWOOD
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.


Shiplap Pattern - SHADOW GAP profile.jpg


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 ;-)


Clear Grade Cedar Siding Shiplap Nickel Gap Pattern Pre-Stained
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 PATTERN - CUSTOM MILLED 1/4" NICKEL GAP "SHADOW" PROFILE - CVG CEDAR STAINED TIMBER OX "Walnut"



1x6 custom width Shadow Gap pattern in Near Clear Red Cedar Siding
1x6 SHIPLAP with Custom Shadow Gap Profile
1x6 custom width Shadow Gap pattern in Near Clear Red Cedar Siding
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. 

Ship lap siding example of standard Pattern profile
Ship lap siding Incense Cedar bundled unit


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.

1x8 SHIPLAP SQUARE EDGE CUSTOMER SELECT CEDAR SIDING FACTORY FINISHED CABOT SYCAMORE SEMI-TRANSPARENT STAIN
1x8 SHIPLAP CUSTOMER SELECT CEDAR SIDING FACTORY FINISHED CABOT SYCAMORE SEMI-TRANSPARENT STAIN


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.


Rustic Indiana Horse Barn before remodel
BEFORE: Rustic Indiana Horse Barn before remodel
AFTER: Red Cedar Shiplap Siding - Verticle Install
AFTER: Red Cedar Shiplap Siding - Verticle Install


Calculate SQFT to LFT Coverage Needed

WWPA Ship-lap Siding - Paneling Pattern Diagrams

(1) WWPA - SHIPLAP SQUARE EDGE 1/2 LAP

WWPA - SHIPLAP SQUARE EDGE 1/2 LAP PATTERN

(2) WWPA - SHIPLAP SQUARE EDGE 3/8 LAP

WWPA - SHIPLAP SQUARE EDGE 3/8 LAP PATTERN

(3) WWPA - SHIPLAP V2E 3/8 BEVELED EDGE 3/8 LAP

WWPA - SHIPLAP V2E 3/8 BEVELED EDGE 3/8 LAP PATTERN

(4) WWPA - SHIPLAP WP-11 V2E 1/4 BEVELED EDGE 1/2 LAP

WWPA - SHIPLAP WP-11 V2E 1/4 BEVELED EDGE 1/2 LAP PATTERN

(5) WWPA - SHIPLAP V2E 3/8 BEVELED EDGE 3/4 CENTER V 3/8 LAP

WWPA - SHIPLAP V2E 3/8 BEVELED EDGE 3/4 CENTER V 3/8 LAP PATTERN

(6) WWPA - SHIPLAP WP-7 V2E 1/4 BEVELED EDGE 1/2 CENTER V 1/2 LAP

WWPA - SHIPLAP WP-7 V2E 1/4 BEVELED EDGE 1/2 CENTER V 1/2 LAP PATTERN

(7) WWPA - SHIPLAP WP-9 ROUNDED EDGE 1/2 LAP 1/16 GAP

WWPA - SHIPLAP WP-9 ROUNDED EDGE 1/2 LAP PATTERN

(8) WWPA - SHIPLAP WP-13 2" BEVEL TOP ROUNDED BOTTOM EDGE 1/2 LAP

SHIP LAP WP-13 2inch BEVEL TOP ROUNDED BOTTOM EDGE 1/2 LAP PATTERN

Redwood Ship-lap Siding - Paneling Pattern Diagram

(1) REDWOOD CRA - SHIP LAP 761-763 SQUARE EDGE 1/2 LAP S2S

CRA - SHIP LAP 761-763 half inch lap S2S


The Western Wood Products Association (WWPA) and the California Redwood Association (CRA) provide pattern diagrams with measurements that are lumber industry standards. These diagrams are "guidelines" only NOT milling requirements. Each mill can interpret these guidelines differently. YOU need to confirm the actual pattern measurements whenever you buy wood siding. Browse all WWPA Siding Patterns or CAL Redwood Siding Patterns to help guide your redwood or cedar pattern decision.

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