C Grade Eastern White Cedar Shingles (2nd Clear)

Product Overview

Bring timeless, rustic character and durable weather protection to your building project with C Grade Eastern White Cedar Shingles 2nd Clear. Crafted from premium sustainably sourced lumber, these C-grade (Second Clear) shingles provide a highly cost-effective option for builders who want the structural strength and decay resistance of authentic cedar at a lower price point. Their specialized "Shim" sizing gives exterior walls a beautiful, deeply textured shadow line. Rich in natural protective oils, Eastern White Cedar inherently deflects outdoor moisture, repels wood-boring insects, and prevents fungal rot without requiring heavy chemical treatments.

Product Specifications

• Species: Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
• Grade: 2nd Clear / C Second Clear
• SKU: CWCS
• UPC: 0400170
• Profile Style: "Shim" Tapered Cut
• Natural Traits: Resistant to rot, mold, moisture, and insects
• Application: Exterior sidewall siding, roof accents, and decorative gables

Installation Notes

• Exposure Limits: When installing as exterior sidewall siding, maintain a standard weather exposure of 5 inches for single-course applications to optimize protection and architectural appeal.
• Fastener Selection: Always secure wood shingles using high-quality stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized siding nails or staples to prevent bleeding or dark rust streaks across the face of the cedar over time.
• Key Placement: Leave a small 1/4-inch expansion gap between adjacent shingles during installation to allow the natural wood fibers to swell and shrink safely during seasonal moisture changes.
• Finishing Choice: These shingles can be left unpainted to weather naturally into a silver-gray hue, or treated with a breathable exterior stain or wood sealer to lock in their warm, original wood tones.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does the "2nd Clear" or "C Grade" classification mean for wood shingles?
  In lumber grading, 2nd Clear cedar shingles are an economical grade that allows for natural wood characteristics, such as sound knots or color variations, on the upper, unexposed portion of the shingle piece. The lower exposed section remains clear, giving you clean installation lines with a rustic look.
• What are the primary benefits of using Eastern White Cedar over western red cedar varieties?
  Eastern White Cedar is highly celebrated for its fine grain structure, minimal shrinkage properties, and lower density. This makes the shim shingles incredibly stable, less prone to severe warping, and exceptionally easy to cut or trim cleanly on the jobsite.
• Do these white cedar shim shingles require back-priming or chemical pressure treatments?
  No chemical treatments are required. Authentic cedar siding shingles possess internal organic compounds that naturally fight off wood rot and boring insects. However, if you plan to apply a solid color stain, applying a wood primer coat to all sides prior to installation will extend the life of your finish.
• Are these C Second Clear shingles in stock for yard pickup at Rice Lumber?
  Yes, this natural wood siding is stocked and available at Rice Lumber Company located at 79 Shagbark Lane, Shelburne, VT. You can contact us online to verify current bundle pricing or arrange flatbed delivery directly to your jobsite.