I am building my home in central Kentucky and I want to use wood siding (either board and batten or vertical shiplap). My question is, what species of wood to use? I had originally considered cedar, but since the cedar trees in this part of the country are fairly small, the cost is outrageous. I would like to use something that is locally available and affordable, but that is also easily milled/installed (not oak) and that will perform well over time.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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Replies
I would like to leave it natural, but I'm not opposed to staining it.
Ideally, I would like to find something that I could get directly from a local mill rough sawn, have it dried and then finish milling myself (ie shiplap). Cost is a factor as I have a pretty large house to cover.
Someone local suggested hemlock as a possible material because it is locally available, but I am concerned about weather resistance.
they have used spruce bevel-lap siding for centuries. i think it would be plentiful in your area. 4/4 spruce properly dried could easily be milled for lapping; proper back-priming is important but special care and attention needs to be paid to endgrain of boards in vertical position. Wicking can become a big problem. When installing, leave bottom of boards off ledge at least an eighth and squeeze caulking to "key" between board and ledge.
I'd be leary of Hemlock myself. It gets the shakes...separates along the length of the tree at certain growth rings...very bad news for log buildings. I'd think siding would also be bad.
Around here, fingerlakes region of new york, white pine and spruce are fairly abundant from the local small mills. (Hemlock would probably be even cheaper as it is very plentiful) I was planning to do exactly the same thing as you...rough cut, air dry, plane then either shiplap or T&G on a shaper table for vertical install.
But I find myself desiring a horizontal installation...and I am looking at log siding products. Hate to say that, as an avid lover of full scribe log homes, but log siding sure is MUCH cheaper...although I'd never refer to the house as a log home.
Whatever you do, alot a good deal of time for adequate drying...I have seen rough cut T&G installed when it must have been wet and EVERY seem had a clearly visible crack (I saw it in the winter). And this was interior...ugly.
Good luck!
Hemlock has very poor rot resistance and doesn't dry very flat, not an ideal siding material. I think that old sayin 'Penny wise, pound foolish' applies here.
jesse.. if you want good milling and long term performance... you need close, vertical grain..
most hemlock & spruce is not going to deliver on those, white oak might, but it's hard to work in a seasoned state..
the cedar would be my choice..in wood..
but i'd use the fiber cement if it was my house
Mike Smith
Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore