| This article talks in great detail about all the types of | | | | available regionally in the West. Like the other |
| wood sidings. It weighs all the pros and cons of each | | | | softwoods, fir is easily milled to a pattern, be it |
| type, leaving it up to you to decide if you want to | | | | shiplap, tongue-and-groove, or board-and-batten. |
| go in for this technique of siding. | | | | Redwood |
| Wood siding is the most common type of siding for a | | | | Perhaps the hallmark of rich texture and tone, |
| house. Wood is a perennial favorite choice for siding | | | | redwood is a good choice for wood siding in all |
| .Whether it is vertical siding like board and batten, or | | | | climates. Redwood resists shrinking, so it holds its |
| horizontal siding like clapboards, shakes, and shingles, | | | | profile and keeps its joints with little warping or |
| there are a few species and grades that are | | | | cupping. Redwood has little pitch or resin, so it |
| commonly used for all applications. | | | | absorbs and retains its finish very well and requires |
| Different types of Wood Siding | | | | less maintenance than some other species. Redwood |
| A local builder or installer knows what species are | | | | is also naturally insect resistant, not just on the face |
| readily available in the regional market. The kinds of | | | | but throughout the wood. Grown in the West, |
| wood that are used for wood siding are: | | | | redwood can be difficult to obtain in other regions. |
| Pine | | | | Unlimited Information on Wood Siding |
| Pine has long been a standard for exterior wood | | | | A good wood siding should last for many, many |
| siding. Pine and its related softwoods-spruce and | | | | years, but it must be properly maintained. Proper |
| fir-can be less expensive than other species. | | | | maintenance includes power washing, staining and |
| Knot-free pine can be difficult to get in longer | | | | sealing whenever the heat of the sun fades the |
| lengths, though, which can make a project more | | | | finish, or moisture starts to turn to mold or mildew. |
| labor-intensive and costly. Pine holds a finish well, and | | | | Always allow wood to dry well before applying a |
| is preferable when painting or staining horizontal siding. | | | | new stain or finish. The disadvantage with wood |
| It is typically used for clapboards. Pine is not a | | | | siding is that the wood is extremely vulnerable to |
| rot-resistant wood, so it is important to keep it | | | | swells due to moisture, development of fungus, and |
| sealed and well maintained. | | | | formation of holes due to pest attacks and |
| Spruce | | | | weakening of wood siding due to termite in the |
| A member of the pine family, this softwood is readily | | | | wood. Other disadvantages include its high price. This |
| available in East Coast markets as a substitute for | | | | is mainly due to the increased demand and the lack |
| pine. It comes in longer lengths than pine, and has | | | | of supply caused by advanced stages of |
| many of the same characteristics. It is typically used | | | | deforestation. An eco-friendly approach to wood |
| for board siding, especially clapboards. Again, since it | | | | siding is vinyl siding, which is low on price, but looks |
| is not a naturally rot-resistant wood, it is important to | | | | very much like the real wood siding. |
| regularly maintain and seal the wood in order to make | | | | With all the different types, it remains practical if |
| the wood siding last longer. | | | | you'll try to figure out first what kind of wood siding |
| Fir | | | | really suit best to your home needs. Be sure that |
| Like pine and spruce, fir is used as an economical | | | | whatever decision you may make, you are happy |
| wood siding option. It comes in long lengths, is easy | | | | with it. |
| to cut and install, takes a finish well, and is readily | | | | |