Siding: Fast and easy shingles

Reviewed by:
Rosemary Thornton

These shingles are the real thing - tapered Western Red Cedar shingles with a 5/16th inch butt thickness - but they've been affixed to 8-foot plywood-backed panels, which makes installation faster and easier.

These prefabricated panels can be installed four times faster than individual shingles, according to the manufacturer.

Between the shingles and the plywood is a fiberglass laminate, which serves as a breathable, vapor barrier. Panels are available in 4, 5 or 7-inch exposures, and in regular or decorator styles. Shingles can be prefinished in a variety of colors.