I'm installing Maxitile Fiber Cement Shake (Straight Edge) Siding on a newly enclosed porch. (See the Maxitile website, MultiShakes for details) These are 16" x 48" panels with a 7" maximum exposure (so a 9" overlap). I'm blind nailing the overlap, then putting the next course on 7" above, and repeating the process.

When I come to a window or the top of the wall, I assume that I have to cut off individual shakes to appropriate height to meet the trim at the top and cover the overlap on the previous course, but I'm not sure.

My questions:

1. Is there another way to do this besides cutting individual shakes and face-nailing? (The trim, 7/8 cedar, is already up)

2. If I do have to face nail them, is there a way to hide the nail heads, or do I just live with them? Should I countersink those nail heads slightly and then cover them with fibercement patch?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Stuck with face nailing them. Use real stainless steel siding nails, there ring shang, thin gauge with a smaller head.
Once painted no one will notice them.
You did install proper flashing under that trim and install Z mounding over the top of the trim, right?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joecaption,

Awesome, thanks for the help! Yes, flashing and z-channel are in. Thanks!