Best Wood Species For Exterior Siding

Wood is a perennial favorite choice for siding options throughout the united states and canada.

Best wood species for exterior siding.

The three most widely available and suitable exterior lumber choices not treated with chemical preservatives include western red cedar redwood and cypress. It s best to choose wood siding pieces that have the most heartwood in them as they are going to be more durable. Woods for outdoor projects. As with cedar shingle siding wood clapboards can be stained rather than painted.

Others such as shingles clapboards or shakes are installed horizontally. Before settling on a wood species and grade ask your builder about rot resistance splitting checking and cupping. On average you should expect to pay 5 7 sq ft. With periodic care wood siding will outlast vinyl and other pretenders.

It is hard to mill and not very durable. Pine and cedar are the two main wood species used for exterior siding. Finished or bare the best wood for outdoor projects is the heartwood from a species that naturally withstands decay. More durable species such as redwood and cedar and more clear grains can cost 2 3 times more than the more economical varieties such as pine.

Each choice has its advantages and disadvantages so decide which wood best suits your building needs and budget. Houses with natural wood exterior types of fiber cement siding. Wood siding or cladding is natural attractive material used to cover and protect the exterior of a house. It is the most stable and durable wood in your list and a couple hundred years from now when someone reclaims that siding it ll be like hitting a gold mine.

Modern science has given us many synthetic wood look products and yet solid wood usually cedar pine spruce redwood cypress or douglas fir remain favorite choices for finer homes. While pine siding can be very affordable it can t resist rot and insects like cedar can. The best wood siding options include 7 types of wood as well as 7. Each type has a color true to its name.

Some woods that fit the description are accoya catalpa cedar spanish western red eastern white or alaskan yellow chestnut cypress old growth is best ipe juniper locust black. Save the hickory for cabinets smoking meat and firewood. Decay resistant wood species. Just for materials when you consider high grade minimal knots cedar lap siding.

Whether it is vertical siding like board and batten or horizontal siding like clapboards shakes. Cedar types include eastern white cedar red cedar and alaskan yellow cedar. Some siding is designed for vertical installation in a board and batten style. I favor board and bat siding.

Because wood siding is available in many different types and grades of species pricing varies greatly.