As a specialty building materials distributor, one of our areas of expertise is in assisting our customers in creating unique siding patterns out of Cedar or Douglas Fir, as well as matching historical wood siding patterns that are no longer commonly used. Our staff is well trained and versed in helping customers throughout the United States in matching wood siding patterns to maintain a building’s historical architectural details. From custom shiplap patterns to log cabin sidings, tongue and groove patterns to channel sidings, we work closely with our customers to ensure the old world charm and exact specifications needed are met.
Just recently, we were contacted to help match this clear, vertical grain Western Red Cedar 10” drop siding (also referred to as Dutch Lap Siding) for a repair that needs to be done on a very old cabin. Since drop siding is no longer commonly produced in a 10” profile in Western Red Cedar, we are working with the contractor to make just enough of the cedar siding to make the repair in the most cost-effective manner possible to maintain the look of the cabin. In this case, since the siding is painted, it can be easier to create something that will look exactly the same as the existing siding when the new pieces are installed and coated.
Other projects we have had the pleasure of working with include providing this fully dimensional 5/4×12” clear, vertical grain Western Red Cedar planks for a historical restoration of a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Michigan. The Clear Cedar planks are installed directly over mahogany strips, just exactly as Frank designed the look many years ago.
Need help matching a siding pattern? Our process begins by carefully examining a piece of the existing siding. It is carefully measured, and a “line drawing” is created and submitted to our customer for review.
Next, we discuss the options of what material will be used to create the wood siding. As mentioned previously, if the siding is to be painted, we have more options of grade and how the material will be manufactured. If the siding will be left natural or stained, it will be of utmost importance to match the species and grade of wood exactly to what is on the building. We specialize in providing custom siding patterns in Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir, and other exotic and domestic hard and softwoods.
In the quest to find better moisture management and energy efficiency, more architects and builders are experimenting with exterior siding using rain screen installation methods. Basically, rain screening is a system, not an actual “thing”, that is used to create an air gap between the exterior siding (cladding) and a water-resistant barrier that is installed over the sheathing of the structure.
By creating an air cavity between the moisture barrier and the exterior siding, this double-wall construction uses the outer layer (the exterior siding) to keep the rain out, while the inner layer (an air/moisture barrier) provides thermal insulation and prevents excessive air leakage. It also allows any moisture that may pass through the siding to easily drain away, as well as accelerates evaporation of any residual moisture within the walls. In the event that any water does collect behind the exterior cladding, the air gap allows it to dry, which prevents moisture build-up and rot.
Rain screening is created by attaching vertical furring strips that are generally 1/4 – 3/8″ thick, by 2 – 3.5″ wide, using plywood or other treated wood strips, plastic mats, or other rain screen system creating materials, over a water-resistant barrier, such as tar paper. Flashing is then installed over any penetrations and all vulnerable areas where water may pool or collect to allow it to evaporate and/or drain away. Finally, the exterior siding is installed by adhering it to the furring strips, thus creating the air gap behind for airflow.
Be sure to contact your local building department for specific codes on rain screen installation in your area and follow all manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure the success of your project.
In these photos, 1×6 Alaskan Yellow Cedar dimensional boards were used as exterior siding over rain screening. Simply beautiful, durable and eco-friendly. Alaska Yellow Cedar, also referred to as Nootka Cypress, has almost always been identified by the species label nootkatensis (so named for the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Canada). However, the genus of the tree has been changed many times, with the most recent being in the Cuypressus genus. photo and craftsmanship by Kreider Construction of Anacortes, WA
Although rain screening installation costs more than more traditional U.S. exterior siding methods, it can prevent costlier problems, such as rot and decay, later on. It can also add green benefits to your project due to the thermal insulation properties, and add to the longevity of the structure and the building materials used, thus reducing waste.
One of the most defining elements to any home is the exterior siding. With so many choices of materials to choose from, it can be challenging to make a decision. However, nothing can compare with the real warmth and beauty that natural wood provides. It is readily available, easy to work with, and is one of the most Eco-Friendly building products available; and with proper care and maintenance, it will provide many years of service.
Following are a few of the most popular styles of wood siding that are available in Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar or most any other durable hard or softwood. Some are readily available, especially in Western Red Cedar, while others would need to be milled, which is one of our specialties.
To save you money and precious time on the job site, we can arrange to have your siding package pre-stained with a factory flood coat of most any solid, semi-solid or transparent stain of your choice. If you prefer to add color to your exterior siding with paint, pre-priming can be done on almost any siding package. By having your priming or pre-stain performed at the factory, all four sides of your siding will receive a nice even coat in a temperature-controlled environment, free of dirt and debris.
BEVELED (also commonly referred to as Clapboard) SIDING
Economical and beautiful, bevel siding is the most widely-used Western Red Cedar siding type. It is produced by re-sawing lumber at an angle to produce two pieces thicker on one edge than the other. Depending on customer preference, it is provided with either a smooth or textured face in both clear and knotty grades.
Bevel siding is installed horizontally to provide a shadow line that varies with the thickness of siding selected.
Available in many widths and thicknesses, this is just one of the many choices of Beveled Siding
Available in 16′ lengths, Clear, Finger-Jointed Bevel Western Red Cedar Siding is an attractive and very cost-effective choice when paint will be applied; providing all the performance and beauty of premium cedar siding.
Another interesting type of bevel siding is Skirl or “wavy” siding. Perfect for a rustic look. **currently unavailable 8/16/2021**
BOARD AND BATTEN
Board-and-batten siding is created when wide clear or knotty Western Red Cedar (or other material) boards are installed vertically with narrower boards, called battens, installed vertically over the joints. There are endless combinations of board widths that can be used to create this classic siding pattern suitable for large or small-scale applications; the most frequent being 1×3” battens with 1×10” or 1×12” boards. Additionally, the installation of the boards can be reversed with the wider boards installed over the battens to create a deep channel effect.
Classic Western Red Cedar Board and Bat Siding
A real cost saver when using this siding choice can be achieved by using “green” or unseasoned Western Red Cedar.
TONGUE AND GROOVE SIDING
Tongue and groove siding, commonly referred to as “T&G”, is created by boards that have been manufactured to have one protruding rib (tongue) on one edge and a groove on the other edge, so that the tongue from one board fits into the groove on the next board. By far the most versatile siding option, Western Red Cedar Tongue & Groove siding can be installed horizontally, vertically or diagonally. It is available with rough or smooth faces in various widths and thicknesses, as well as grades and patterns, including ones that when installed create a slight groove between the two pieces.
There are many readily available styles “off the shelf” in Western Red Cedar, and there is also the possibility of creating endless custom patterns in both Western Red and Alaskan Yellow Cedar, as well as other woods including Mahogany and other hardwoods such as Ipe.
Clear, Western Red Cedar Ship Lap and Channel siding are manufactured to order, as well as Ship Lap in Channel patterns in Alaskan Yellow Cedar and other exotic and domestic soft and hardwoods.
LOG CABIN SIDING
A perfect complement to your rustic home at a fraction of the price of building a log cabin, as the whole log is not used. This siding is manufactured with a flat back that makes installation over traditional structures easy and cost-effective with beautiful results. Log sidings are available in different sizes, in both Western Red Cedar and Spruce.
SHIPLAP and CHANNEL PATTERNS
Lap siding, available in many widths and thicknesses, is manufactured to have grooves on both sides that allow the boards to be installed over each other to create a waterproof barrier. Lap siding expands and contracts with changes in temperature without cracking or buckling, which makes it a very desirable siding choice in colder climates.
Channel siding is a popular type of lap siding that has a ½” overlap and a 1” to 1-1/4” reveal, that when installed, creates a channel between the boards. Normally supplied in unseasoned Western Red Cedar knotty grades, this product is commonly used when a rustic appearance is desired.
Because of the overlapping properties (one end of the board has a recessed area along its rear which receives the shaped top-rear end of the board next to it) it provides excellent weather protection while allowing for dimensional movement when installed vertically. However, it may also be installed horizontally or diagonally.
Clear, Western Red Cedar Shiplap and Channel siding are manufactured to order, as well as Shiplap in Channel patterns in Alaskan Yellow Cedar and other exotic and domestic hard and softwoods.
For tips on installing your Western Red Cedar Siding, please visit HERE
photo and craftsmanship by 
