Replies

1. 
   DanH | Mar 10, 2012 03:11pm | #1

   Thoughts:  Seems like an incredibly dumb idea.

2. 
   Piffin | Mar 12, 2012 02:12am | #2

   Never heard of it, but my concern would be keep the bugs that live in bark from destroying the house

3. 
   MarkH | Mar 12, 2012 06:28am | #3

   I'm concerned about the weather resistance also.  I consider it more of a decorative siding, and plan on having some water intrusion.  You need a drainage plane under the siding to channel water out.  Felt may not be sufficient, but I would use 2 layers of double lapped #30 if I went that route.  Sealing around windows and doors is probably futile, so those areas MUST be properly flashed (well, they need to be properly flashed for any other siding).

   It seems to have a long lifespan, and looks pretty rustic, so I like the idea. 

   And according to the manufacturer they are pest free.  I hope there is some treatment on them to keep it that way.

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 12, 2012 09:54am | #5

   I spent time on the compaany website

   And I am even less impressed now.

   http://www.partonbarksiding.com/company

   This reminds me of some company back in the mid seventies that was marketing wood shakes made from Poplar. Needless to say, everybody who fell for the scam was having their rotten wood shakes replaced within 4-6 years.

   The way Parton markets this is to point out that bark was once used by primitive Americans and Indians for their shelters and even roofs.

   But that was Birch bark and Chesnut bark. They do not show any history for Poplar having been used. And these peoples were using what was easiest at hand - not always best. They also make a claim of a fity year life expecxtancy, but offer NO supporting documentation for this in their product or for Poplar bark in general

   Their installation page does show the interweaving of roof felt the way we do on cedar roof shakes but that in itself raises questions and points out that the product is not waterproof as they say. It is not necessary to use the interweave with Cedars on siding - only for roofing, and some debate that need.

   I am also dubious about any way of sealing around the doors and windows other than gobs of caulk. The instal page does not adress this in any way. As a matter of fact, I don't think I have ever seen an install instructiuon sheet that is any less detailed and hel[pful than this is. The one speccific instruction that they do make is another thing that would be a big cconcern - that they want these things nailed EVERY TWO INCHES along TOP AND BOTTOM!

4. 
   DanH | Mar 12, 2012 07:11am | #4

   Bugs probably won't bother it too much since the bark is dead and there's little nutrition to be had (unless you're a termite).  But moss would love the stuff.  I would expect the north side to be solid green in about 10 years.