I'm finishing up an ICF house, and plan to use cedar shingles on the exterior.  My plan is to install 3/4" thick, cedar firring strips every 5 - 5-1/2" (shingle reveal is the same) horizontally.  The firring strips will have dados in the back every 8" (1/4" deep by 3/8" wide).  This will allow the cedar shingles to get the necessary air circulation (per the Cedar and Shingle Bureau recommendations).

I was not planning on using any housewrap or felt paper over the ICF. 

Is this the best way to go?

- Jeff

I would add a housewrap. It's a relatively cheap extra layer of water protection. Also, depending on your climate, the more air movement behind the shingles, the better. Make the dados as large as you feel comfortable with.

I wouldn't add the house wrap, the ICF's are already your best protection from air and water penetration in an above ground situation.  If there's an area where they might be exposed to standing water you might consider a waterproofing membrane.

 

Greg

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I will be installing cedar shingles on the ICF house I'm building now. I'm going to use the Premier Panel shingle panels. It will save all the time of furring strips and shingleing, and span across the webs. I wasn't planning on house wrap because we only see 7-10 inches of rain per year in Berkeley.

http://www.premierforestproducts.com/pages/premierpanel.html