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Discussion Forum

untreated wood siding?

BigMish | Posted in General Discussion on May 12, 2009 08:33am

I am interested in a siding that would resemble the color and quality of those in the pictures included (realizing that a lot of the wood shown is structural and not actual siding). It has a beautiful, dark, natural look that I am seeking.

<!—-><!—-> <!—->

A few questions:

  • Is this wood untreated?
  • What types of wood will take on this look when left untreated?
  • How long does it take?
  • If one sided a stick-framed building with wood like this are there any special precautions one should take to protect the siding or building?

<!—->  <!—->

Thanks, M

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Replies

  1. DavidxDoud | May 12, 2009 08:50pm | #1

    walnut -

    realizing of course that climate and exposure make a lot of difference in regards to color and weathering -

    I would wager that the Tronderlaane log structure has its north face to us - the west side is silver where it gets direct sun - cold climates are more friendly to untreated wood -

    http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=92959.21

    "there's enough for everyone"
  2. DanH | May 12, 2009 09:09pm | #2

    You should dig up some of the scholarly research done on the old stave churches in Norway. The design was very carefully considered to shed water and avoid water pooling anywhere. (In fact much damage was done from about 1850 through 1975 by people "fixing" the old churches by applying tar and caulk in places that were intentionally left open to drain.)

    Keep in mind that the wood used in these buildings would all be from old-growth, northern (slow-growing, fine ring structure) trees. In some cases the surfaces were treated with a creosote-like substance, in other cases they relied on the natural wood resins for preservation. You simply can't buy the same wood anymore, for any price. And of course the northern climate preserves wood better.

    Certainly people do side houses with, eg, cedar, and leave them unfinished. The wood will first darken, then turn silver, over a period of 10-20 years. Sun exposure and weather (as well as the species of wood) will determine the final appearance. Note that the life of the wood will be less than if it were properly finished with a good exterior stain or paint.

    The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
    1. DanH | May 12, 2009 09:13pm | #3

      A trick used by the lumbermen back when was to girdle the tree down low in the summer, trapping the sap in the wood. Then, when the tree was harvested the next winter the sap would have turned to a protective resin.
      The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

  3. ruination | May 12, 2009 09:34pm | #4

    BigMish

    Anything brown made of wood that is outdoors is finished.   Unfinished wood turns grey as it weathers and starts to support mildew.

    I love that color, too, and covered my house in cedar shingles to get it.  It must be kept securely finished, though.  When finished with oil or a semitransparent stain with a very small amount of pigment (a little is sometimes used to help block UV) the wood darkens but stays brown.  As the finish wears off, it goes dark gray which then must be bleached when refinished.   The brown in your photos is finished, the gray is where the finish has weathered away on the south facing sides exposing the wood itself to the weather.   - r

    1. BigMish | May 12, 2009 09:57pm | #5

      Anyone know any good books or articles dealing with this issue (wood selection, treatment, etc.)?

  4. [email protected] | May 12, 2009 10:13pm | #6

    The wood is cedar or pine.  It has been treated.

    Traditional finishes are usually based on linseed oil.  They also added red lead,  ochre, and iron powders to the linseed oil.  Frequently used in Sweden was "Falun Red", made of linseed oil with powdered ores from the Falun copper mines added.  The Falun red contains copper, zinc, lead, and iron ochre, all of which have antifungal properties, and inhibit growth of fungus and molds that rot the wood, similar to modern CCA preservatives. 

    The other option is Pine Tar Oil, which is actually a early distillate, of charred wood, in which the turpentine is still mixed with the pine tar.   This is one of the finishes traditionally applied to the stave churches, and is recommended by the Swedish version of Historic Preservation Offices, for use in refinishing them. 



    Edited 5/12/2009 3:16 pm ET by Jigs-n-fixtures

    1. jrrjrr | May 13, 2009 04:30pm | #8

      try allback organic linseed paints at viking sales, inc. w.w.w.solventfreepaint.com you will find a great selection off products to help you. hans allback has ,he is in sweden,since 1980 been manufacturing paint that is environmentally frienley, long lasting, cost effective, 100% solvent free. they also have le tonkinois linseed varnish,falun red exterior paint, swedish pine tar and most important for us soren eriksson of viking sales,inc. in victor n.y. to ask for help.1 585 924 8070 monday-thursday.good luck with your venture. john runyon,carpenter local 1145 washington d.c.

  5. BigMish | May 13, 2009 03:56am | #7

    Yea! That's the stuff!

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