This jaw-dropping project in Half Moon Bay, CA, is about one month away from completion. It took 12 years to get the building permit.
It was our pleasure to travel down to visit this project and meet with our client, Dave O’keefe of O’keefe Construction, based out of San Francisco, after working on this project with him for almost a year. Each building is unique in its design but similar enough to create a cohesive look on the property. One unit will be used as a vacation home for Dave and his family, while the other houses a small retail space on the ground floor, with residential living space above that will likely be rented out on Air B&B.
Due to the unique nature of our business and the relationships we have developed with mills throughout the Pacific Northwest, we were able to match the architect’s spec for the custom milled clear, vertical grain, 1×6” Western Red Cedar “nickel gap” tongue and groove he was looking for to complete the exterior cladding.
The fence around the property was constructed using 5 foot 1×6” clear, vertical grain Western Red Cedar boards. Not only did sourcing 5’ material save Dave money on the material and shipping, it also helped keep the boards super straight between the powder-coated aluminum posts. A real win, win!
“In this industry, it’s tough to find people who do what they say they will. I’ve appreciated that about you.” Dave O’keefe, O’keefe Construction, San Francisco, CA
Before your next project, be sure to visit us! We ship nationwide!
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.
Nestled in the foothills of the North Cascades near the little gem of a town Mazama, this rustic modern cabin holds all the amenities anyone would need along with the tranquility of wide open space. Recognized as one of the region’s leading, architecture, urban design and planning firms, Designs Northwest Architects, along with Impel Construction, brought this innovative concept to fruition.
We were pleased to have the opportunity to supply our Premium Forest Products; not only to be a part of such a interesting and unique project, but also because the owner is a personal friend.
Please enjoy these enjoy these photos, captured beautifully by Lucas Henning.
Knotty Western Red Cedar and distressed steel are used on the exterior of the structure to bring a unique and rustic feeling to this cabin
Warm and inviting, the Western Red Cedar and weathered steel blend perfectly with the surroundings of the upper end of the Methow Valley located in Eastern Washington.
Imagine waking up in this room! The interior accents of Western Red Cedar combined with an amazing floor to ceiling view make this retreat one to remember!
Before your next project, be sure to visit us! We ship nationwide!
Like all natural materials, Western Red Cedar responds to the environment; Cedar siding can swell or shrink to reach equilibrium with the surrounding air’s moisture content. By acclimating your Cedar siding prior to installation and by following these essential installation tips, your Western Red Cedar siding will provide many years of service ~ naturally!
Kiln Dried “Clears” have been dried (to approximately 12% moisture content) at the mill and are the most “ready to use” of all Western Red Cedar siding products and may be installed upon arrival, except in very hot and dry environments, or if wet. If the siding has gotten wet, it should be separated and allowed to dry completely before installation. In hot and dry environments, we recommend allowing the siding to acclimate for a good 3 to 5 days before installing.
Dry “Knotty” Sidings should be allowed to acclimate in most environments for 7 to 10 days before installation. In damp or high humidity environments, more time may be required for acclimation.
To acclimate your Western Red Cedar (or Alaskan Yellow Cedar) siding, stack pieces individually on evenly spaced vertically aligned “stickers” in a dry storage area, off the ground, and under cover. Air should be circulating all around the pieces of Cedar siding. Unseasoned or “green” Cedar sidings that have not been dried with a moisture content exceeding 12% prior to delivery will require much longer to acclimate to their surrounding environment.
Narrower widths of channel, bevel, and board and batten sidings allow for shrinkage when supplied without prior drying. Acclimation of green siding products can take 30 days or longer depending on the environment. Store the stack by separating the pieces with vertically aligned stickers in a well ventilated, dry location off the ground by at least 4”. If it is to be stored over damp ground or new concrete, place a moisture barrier under the siding.
After your Western Red Cedar Siding has acclimated, a coating of primer, stain or oil should be applied to all surfaces, including the ends. The type of coating will vary depending on the final finish desired. If a solid color stain or paint will be used, an alkyd oil stain-blocking primer should be used as the first coat, applied on all four sides. Always follow the manufacturers’ recommendations to ensure the product you have selected is for use on Western Red (or Alaskan Yellow) Cedar and compatible with the intended finish coat.
To save money and time on the job site, we can arrange to have your Western Red Cedar siding coated with a product of your choice. Your siding will be completely covered on all four sides with a flood coat in a temperature-controlled environment, free of dust and debris, then back brushed to ensure even absorption and coverage. This quality of pre-finish is impossible to duplicate using on-site installation methods. Read more about the process HERE
Stud walls generally require no special preparation when installing horizontal siding. The Cedar siding should be nailed into the studs at a maximum of 24-inch centers when applied over a wood-based, solid sheathing. When installing vertical siding over stud walls, horizontal blockers are needed and should be spaced not exceeding 24 inches on center.
Walls made of masonry will require furring strips that are thick enough for nail penetration of 1-1/4” into sold wood with a ring shank nail. Using rigid foam sheathing as a nailing base for Western Red Cedar Siding is generally not recommended and should only be done in compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Proper wall construction includes the use of gas permeable building paper and vapor barriers. Always check your local code to verify all building requirements.
Stainless steel nails are the best choice for installing Western Red Cedar siding, especially if the siding is to be finished with transparent or semi-transparent stain. No. 304 grade is fine for general siding applications, while No. 316 grade stainless should be used when installing near saltwater. Alternatively, hot-dipped galvanized nails that are corrosion resistant can be used. Other types of fasteners are not recommended.
Prior to installing your Western Red Cedar Siding, make sure that corrosion-resistant flashing is properly installed to prevent moisture from entering wall and roof spaces above doors and windows, at the junctions of dormer walls and roof surfaces, and along the transition of siding materials such as cedar to brick or stucco.
Keep the lowest edge of your Western Red Cedar Siding at least 6” off the ground, and treat the end grain of the bottom of vertical siding with a water repellent preservative or primer. Caulking is to be used where the ends of your siding contact vertical openings or trim. Use only non-hardening caulks such as polyurethane, polysulfide, terpolymer rubber, acrylic, or acrylic silicone. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Looking to save time and money on the job site, as well as protect your siding, trim boards, shingles, shakes, wood decking or Cedar fencing? We can arrange to have your products pre-stained at the factory and delivered to your job site ready to install.
With nearly every color imaginable, from clear products that allow the natural characteristics and colors of the wood to show through, to semi-transparent stains that add a subtle hue, to solid color coatings, the quality of the finish is impossible to duplicate using on-site installation methods. Your material will be completely covered on all sides with a flood coat of stain, in a temperature-controlled environment, free of dust and debris, then back brushed to ensure even absorption and coverage.
The pieces are then placed on racks in a drying room until cured.
In this photo, custom cut Western Red Cedar Airfoils are being individually coated with a penetrating oil
The Western Red Cedar Airfoils are left to dry completely in a drying room before packing up for shipment
No waiting for perfect weather! No over-spray, uneven application, or streaking! Having your materials coated prior to coming to the job site will help them stay cleaner, as well as help protect them during installation.
And save you money!
Stain absorption may vary due to the density and/or porosity of the Western Red Cedar or other wood fibers. The final color and how it adheres/absorbs into the material will vary. Due to this, color matches are not guaranteed to match any previous sample or order exactly.
A second field coat of finish following installation is required.
Generally, your order will be ready to ship in 10 to 14 days, ready for installation. To get the order going, we do require a deposit at the time the order is placed. Sorry, we cannot cancel a custom order once it has been placed.
For more information, please call us at 360.757.6343 to discuss.
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
When researching building material choices for mobile buildings and tiny houses, wood is often chosen because it is lightweight, easy to work with, an excellent thermal insulator, and is readily available.
With so many wood options available in exterior siding, Western Red Cedar is a popular choice due to its low density, durability, natural resistance to decay and rot, as well as its beauty and affordability. Western Red Cedar also works great for interior paneling, as does Pine or Doug Fir when a lighter color palette is desired.
It was great fun to supply the building materials for this mobile bike shop in our local area. Mister Lost’s Mobile Bike Shop brings full-service bike repair right to your door in Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties. So cool!
Before your next project, be sure to visit us! We Ship Nationwide!
