Benjamin Moore Celect Canvas 7″ Shake (Unpainted/Customizable Color)

Celect Canvas 7″ Shake delivers 210+ mph wind resistance in an engineered cellular composite siding that covers 0.5 sq. ft. per 49.5-inch panel. The unpainted surface accepts virtually any vinyl-safe paint color — making it the most customizable option in cellular composite siding.

Montana contractors face unique installation challenges with this product. The Shake profile must be painted entirely — front surface and lap joints — BEFORE installation. Skip this step and watch the warranty void itself. Temperature-based expansion gaps matter: leave 1/8” gaps above 70°F, 1/4” gaps below 70°F. Get it wrong and panels buckle.

Extreme Weather Performance

The 210+ mph wind rating exceeds anything Montana chinook winds can throw at it. Virtually zero water absorption means freeze-thaw cycles won’t crack or split these panels. Traditional wood shake fails in 15-20 years from Montana’s 100+ annual freeze-thaw cycles. Fiber cement performs better but still absorbs moisture. Celect’s cellular composite structure eliminates that weakness entirely.

The material provides approximately twice the R-value of comparable siding. Not game-changing insulation, but measurable improvement over vinyl or fiber cement. High impact resistance handles hail strikes that would dent aluminum or crack brittle vinyl.

Specification	Value	Source
Wind Resistance	210+ mph	manufacturer
Moisture Absorption	Virtually zero	manufacturer
Thermal Performance	~2x R-value vs. comparable siding	manufacturer
Panel Dimensions	49.5” x 7”	manufacturer
Coverage per Panel	0.5 sq. ft.	manufacturer
Panels per Carton	24 (12 sq. ft. total)	manufacturer

Installation Requirements

Pre-painting isn’t optional — it’s mandatory for the Shake profile. Celect designed this as a blank canvas for vinyl-safe paints, but that flexibility comes with strict requirements. Paint must have Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 50 or higher. Dark colors below LRV 50 absorb too much heat, causing excessive expansion that voids the warranty.

Install over continuous water-resistive barrier (WRB) and solid sheathing. Use corrosion-resistant fasteners every 8-12 inches in the nailing slots. The gravity-lock technology eliminates face-nailing — panels lock together without exposed fasteners.

Matching Celect pocketed trim, mounts, and blocks create the seamless system. Mix generic J-channel with this premium siding and the whole installation looks amateur.

The Bottom Line

Celect Canvas works for contractors who understand the pre-painting requirement and temperature-based gap specifications. The warranty covers manufacturing defects, rotting, corrosion, and cracking for life — but only if installed correctly with approved paint.

At 210+ mph wind rating and zero moisture absorption, this siding handles Montana’s worst weather. The trade-off? Higher material cost than vinyl, strict paint requirements, and mandatory pre-painting that adds labor before the first panel goes up.

FAQ

Does Celect Canvas require special paint? Yes — vinyl-safe exterior acrylic latex paint with LRV of 50 or higher. Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and PPG all make compatible formulations. Benjamin Moore’s Vinyluxe line works specifically for vinyl siding.

What’s included in each carton? 24 Shake panels covering 12 square feet total. Trim, corners, starter strips, and mounting blocks sold separately.

Can you install without pre-painting? Not the Shake profile — entire front surface and lap joints must be painted before installation to account for expansion and contraction. Skip this step and panels will show unpainted gaps as they move.