Hi.
Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with the Cape Cod brand of prefinished wood clapboards? They basically have the ‘real wood’ clapboard market cornered here in Atlantic Canada but they claim that a lot of their products find their way into New England and down the Atlantic seaboard.
I used some on a small building about 5 years ago and I would give ’em maybe a 6 on a scale of 10….but it’s still very early. They use lodgepole pine….claim it’s a stable, slow growing wood. My main gripe is that there are quite a few knots and you can only get a random mix of cuts (flatsawn, quartersawn and everything in between). The knots seem to be pretty tight but they do tend to lose the finish coat easily. Otherwise, the coating seems to adhere pretty well. I’ve also had a little bit of trouble with the ‘pith’ lifting on some of the flatsawn boards. Takes a bit of surgery and filler to repair those. The claps that are quarter sawn seem to be holding up really well.
I’d love to check out quartersawn claps but there doesn’t seem to be a supplier nearby (and the cost would probably knock me over).
Would like to hear feedback from the group. Any favourite suppliers?
Thanks,
Dave
Replies
Greetings Dave,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
'Nemo me impune lacesset'
No one will provoke me with impunity
We've been in our cape cod style house 13 months now. Our pre-finished clapboards were finished with 2 coats of Cabot custom solid color stain (we call it pumpkin) that was applied by Coastal Products - Merrimack, NH thru Mast Road Lumber, Goffstown. We understand that Coastal only deals wholesale, but John Mosowitz, Coastal provided a good overview to us.
The clapboards received 2 coats on both sides - ensure that you specify which side will face "out" (we selected smooth side out), since they place the "out" side up on the drying racks (that leave support marks). Also order enough product to complete your job. Our builder ordered just enuff. The pumpkin clapboards were installed on the front & back while Cabot clear stained cedar shingles were installed on the house sides. This selection was done to be consistent with capes built ~ 1750 in our area.
Cabot supplied about a dozen samples to us before we selected our custom color. We'll have to apply a 3rd coat next summer, in part to cover the stainless steel nail heads.
If you select a custom color, be sure to get the formula since you'll probably need addt'l product to match in the future.
Thanks for your note.
Can you tell me what type of wood your claps are made from? Are they quartersawn or a mix of cuts (like mine)?
Sounds like a beautiful place you have there....hope you enjoy it for a long time.
Regards,
Dave