Cape Cod and The Islands Coastal Siding Contractors | Cedar and Shakes

Coastal Siding Engineering for Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket

Nowhere in Massachusetts is exterior building envelope engineering more rigorously tested than on Cape Cod and the Islands. Jetted out into the Atlantic Ocean, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties endure constant salt spray, maritime humidity, and hurricane-velocity Nor'easters that drive sheets of rain horizontally against exterior walls at speeds exceeding 90 to 120 MPH. In this environment, generic siding installations fail prematurely: standard nails rust out, unventilated cedar shingles curl and cup, and builder-grade vinyl blow-offs leave homes completely exposed to structural water intrusion.

MA Siding Pros maintains a dedicated coastal operations hub specializing exclusively in marine-grade exterior envelopes. From historic sea captain cottages in Chatham and Falmouth to custom oceanfront residences on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, our crews combine authentic New England carpentry traditions with modern building science to protect your coastal investment.

Certigrade® #1 Blue Label Eastern White Cedar Specialists

Natural Eastern White Cedar shingles represent the timeless architectural soul of Cape Cod and the Islands. We install 100% clear heartwood, vertical edge-grain shingles that naturally weather into that iconic driftwood silver-gray patina celebrated throughout New England.

To guarantee maximum lifespan in salt air environments, our coastal installations incorporate three mandatory technical details:

1. CedarBreather® Ventilated Rainscreen Matrix: We roll an entangled nylon mesh over HydroGap® drainable housewrap before nailing shingles. This creates a continuous 1/4" capillary air space behind the shingles, allowing them to breathe and dry from both sides after coastal rains and fog.
2. Exclusive 316 Marine-Grade Fastening: Every shingle is hand-driven or pneumatically fastened with 316 marine stainless steel ring-shank nails. Unlike galvanized nails, 316 stainless never reacts with cedar tannins or corrodes in salt fog.
3. AZEK® Skirtboards & Cornerboards: Because cedar shingles are vulnerable to ground-contact moisture decay, we frame all lower foundation perimeters with rot-proof AZEK® cellular PVC water tables and custom copper drip caps.

Maintenance-Free Coastal Alternatives: Cedar Impressions® & Hardie® HZ5®

While authentic white cedar is unmatched in historical prestige, many Cape and Island homeowners prefer a zero-maintenance exterior that never requires washing, bleaching oil re-application, or shingle replacements:

• CertainTeed® Cedar Impressions® Polymer Shakes: Molded from real New England cedar shingles, Cedar Impressions delivers deep shadow lines and random grain textures while withstanding 180+ MPH winds without a single coat of stain.
• James Hardie® HZ5® Shingle & Lap Siding: Class A fire-rated and impervious to woodpeckers, carpenter ants, and salt-air rot, Hardie siding is increasingly specified on luxury coastal developments across Falmouth and Martha's Vineyard.

Island Logistics and Turnkey Staging

Executing siding replacement on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket requires meticulous freight coordination via the Steamship Authority. MA Siding Pros manages all container shipping, island barge logistics, and local town permit filings, ensuring your island home renovation proceeds on schedule with zero unexpected freight surcharges. Explore our 2026 Turnkey Pricing Guide or schedule a consultation today.