Cedar Shakes & Flashing

[JDMyers]

Is there a proper way to flash around a window (or caulk or whatever, for that matter) other that using something like dripcap when installing cedar shakes?

[grumpydasmurf]

Your installing cedar shakes on the wall? You ant to cap the header with a Z flash also called a cap flash. This will back up the wall at least 2" and cover the entire header molding around the window or door. That's just common practice for installing any kind of cedar siding.

[JDMyers]

I was reading an article on siding or something the other day and it talked about using J channel down the sides of the window when installing shakes. I have never seen or heard of any type of J Channel that should be used with cedar shakes. The only type of exterior I've ever installed is vinyl and I'm not sure what to do with the sides of the window where the shakes meet it.

[grumpydasmurf]

I've never seen a J channel used in wood siding applications.

Is this a mansard or a completely verticle wall?

We did a job on a mansard that allowed us to use step flashing, but this wouldn't work on a normal wondow. These windows where what we call Eye Brow windows.

Personally the only thing I can think of is to cap the window molding with aluminum before installing the cedar then using some kind of adhesive like tyvek tape or Vycor ice shield to make the capping water tight!

[Tom R]

I've never heard of a J-Channel used on wood siding either. It would 'cheapen' the whole effect, IMO. It's best served with the drip-cap on top, and a recessed 'rabbet' along sides of casings and underside of sill to 'receive' shakes. If the casings are already installed, butt and caulk.