The Wood Side: The Advantages of Wood Siding

Wood siding adds depth and style to any home. It lends a simple yet elegant touch, and can be manufactured from cedar, pine, fir, or spruce. When it comes to durability and rot resistance, quality cedar shake siding is the common choice, especially because of its rich character, grain, and texture. Homeowners who have decided to use cedar wood siding can opt for cedar shingle (sawn) or shake (split), and either way, will not be disappointed by the material’s natural beauty.

Despite its pros, shingles command a premium price, which is a bit higher than other standard materials. On top of this, the installation process can also be a bit tedious, which may contribute to added expense. Regardless, product and installation costs may still vary, basing the said factors on quality. Reliable contractors are sure to offer a reasonable price for top-grade siding to provide homes superior quality protection.

With that said, homeowners must make sure that they find suppliers that follow high quality standards. Such companies have a proven track record of providing only the finest products in the industry and will make sure their customers understand all aspects of their purchase. As an additional tip, it helps to ask the siding supplier about particular features of the product in order to make an informed decision.

Cedar Shake Siding Materials: Providing More Curb Appeal to Homes

Whenever you see homes with wooden shake sidings, you may get a feeling of deja vu that may be hard to ignore. After all, homes with wooden sidings have been built in various parts of the world for centuries now. However, according to an article by Brice Particelli on HomeAdvisor.com, people normally think of the warm smell of cedar closets whenever they think of cedar. Yet cedar is more than just what your closet is made of. Look around you and you might see see cedar shake siding materials like those offered by WoodRoof.com providing adding curb appeal to the homes they're installed on. In fact, many homes also have cedar shakes or shingles for their roofs that not only provide protection but also increase their value.

http://www.woodroof.com/blog/cedar-shake-siding-materials-providing-more-curb-appeal-to-homes

Western Red Cedar Shake Siding: A Green Siding Material worth Choosing

The idea of using wood siding, instead of PVC or other materials, is understandable because wood is a natural insulating material. In addition, many building contractors prefer to work with wood because it is simpler, more flexible, and easier to repair than other siding materials. Ordinary wooden planks may be adequate for any household’s siding needs, but people should consider using high-quality cedar shakes siding from trusted sources like WoodRoof.com. Simply put, shakes are much thicker than wood shingles that are used as siding; more thickness means greater resistance to rain, snow, sunlight, and other natural elements. Individually, cedar shakes are visually different from each other; together, they create a rustic, natural-looking aesthetic feel. Retailers that sell cedar shake siding also offer such products in a variety of wood finishes that provide added protection against fire, insects, and mildew, which are purportedly the greatest threats to any wood-based material.

http://www.woodroof.com/blog/western-red-cedar-shake-siding-a-green-siding-material-worth-choosing

Harvesting Western Red Cedar to Create Lightweight Cedar Shake Siding

The availability of quality cedar wood siding will also depend on the number of trees that can be harvested every year. WRCEA says that less than one percent of the total stock of Western red cedar is harvested every year. Clearcut harvesting has already been phased out in the Western red cedar forests along Canada's west coast in favor of variable retention, which keeps some flora and fauna intact for forest preservation. While Western red cedar is known for its natural protective oils, Cooper says that the lumber is still treated because untreated lumber will eventually turn gray. After a bit of cutting and coating, big red cedar logs eventually yield plenty of shingle siding and shakes for homes and other structures. Reputable suppliers like WoodRoof.com then sell these products to homeowners, contractors, resellers, and builders.

http://www.woodroof.com/blog/harvesting-western-red-cedar-to-create-lightweight-cedar-shake-siding

Wood is, and Always will be, the Best! Benefits of Cedar Shake Siding

The Redbeacon.com website further posts four reasons why you should consider wood. Since it seems to fit the bill in almost every category, cedar, redwood, and pine are thus suitable candidates for a reliable siding system. Special wood preservatives can boost the beauty and durability of wood sidings even further by enhancing their warm and natural look and offering protection against moisture and mold. Some construction retailers like WoodRoof.com capitalize on these features by using high quality materials like Western Red Cedar extensively on their cedar wood siding projects. When installed and applied properly, these can protect against insects and regular wear and tear. Moreover, unlike other materials, wood is also Eco-friendly and recyclable, which means that a home can contribute to conserving the environment.

http://www.woodroof.com/blog/wood-is-and-always-will-be-the-best-benefits-of-cedar-shake-siding

Wood is Good: The Benefits of Cedar Shake Siding

While there are many homeowners who are quick to consider vinyl, stucco, or stone for their home’s siding, that doesn’t mean that wood can’t hold a candle to these materials! In truth, there are various reasons why cedar shake siding is better than the others in some respects.

First off, cedar shakes have a rustic, natural aesthetic that the other siding materials can only mimic in varying degrees. Emphasis needs to be placed on the word “natural” because, secondly, cedar shakes are environment-friendly. Not only are they recyclable and (relatively) safe for burning, they are also created with as little energy and labor as possible. This means their production puts less stress on the environment. In addition to that, cedar shakes don’t produce a lot of pollutants, at least compared to other materials like vinyl.

There is also the fact that cedar shakes can be treated with various wood preservatives to give them protection against fire, moisture, and pests—an added bonus that complements their already-notable durability and versatility. Finally, cedar shakes are natural insulators, thanks to their microscopic air pockets that trap heat. Moreover, they are relatively easy to repair or replace. Homeowners can definitely use cedar shakes to earn great energy savings while having sturdy and long-lasting siding.

A Quick Guide to Shake Quality: The Grain Doesn't Lie

Wood grain tells a lot of things about the wood itself. Reading how the wood grew is an important skill woodworkers try to learn.

Lumber like cedar can be cut in one of three ways: along the grain, across the grain, or at an angle of 45 degrees. Cutting across the grain—called edge grain—is considered to be the most durable of the three cuts of wood. You can see shakes cut perpendicular to the grain by looking for the tight, straight pattern. The tight structure helps keep the grain more stable during changes in moisture content.

For shakes and shingles, edge grain signifies topnotch quality. A pack of premium grade shakes must all be edge grain pieces, while Grade #1 shakes can have a maximum of 20 percent flat grain shakes. Flat grain means the lumber was cut along the grain. These shakes are more prone to splitting since external force can be applied along the grain.

Flat grain shakes have a heartwood pattern that usually marks the center line for the shake. Getting a mix of edge and flat grain shakes is more affordable than pure edge grain. However, if you're anything but concerned about the cost, go for the premium grade. 

Shakes or Shingles: Which is the Best for Sidings?

People who prefer to have their homes built using cedar have the dilemma of choosing between shakes or shingles. Technically speaking, these two are more or less the same, save for a few cosmetic and manufacturing differences. However, there are some circumstances wherein one is preferable over the other, especially when they're intended to be used as a siding material.

Cedar shingles are made by sawing both sides of the wood and ensuring a thin butt at the same time. This means that shingles are generally more uniform in shape and design than cedar shakes, which limits their variety. On the plus side, cedar shingles are usually two-faced, which means that each piece has two designs. The “face” that looks more beautiful is usually the one that is exposed to the outside elements.

Cedar shakes, meanwhile, are somewhat less uniform because they vary in shape and width in small amounts. While this gives them more leeway when it comes to aesthetic design, shakes are also relatively heavier than cedar shingles, which means that weight is an important consideration when using them as a siding material. Some shakes may also require sanding and polishing before they can be used to remove excess grain content.

Wrapping Your Home with Cedar Shake Siding

The clothes you wear every day can speak volumes about your personality. Yet everyday clothing also has to be functional instead of just merely fashionable or eye-catching. The same can be said about your chosen siding material.

Siding can be made of vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement, metal, and wood. If you want a natural material that’s quite durable and elegant to boot, you might want to go for cedar shake or shingle siding. The best kinds are made of: Western Red Cedar, which typically grows west of the Rocky Mountains; Alaska Yellow Cedar, which is actually part of the cypress family tree and thrives in the west coast mountains of the US and Canada), or Easter White Cedar (native to the Great Lakes regions, areas of northeast USA and southeastern Canada).

Aside from being naturally attractive, cedar shake siding offers several other distinct benefits. For instance, cedar shakes are bio-degradable, durable, impact resistant, and possess excellent thermal insulation properties. Cedar shakes or shingles also come with a wide range of design options that can increase your home's curb appeal. Indeed, if you want long-lasting protection and a corresponding increase in real estate value, you certainly can’t go wrong with cedar shake siding

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How to Maintain and Restore Cedar Siding

The use of cedar siding in your home exterior is an excellent way to protect it from the elements since the material is naturally durable and can withstand heavy storms. However, despite its durability, cedar is bound to fade, making your home look old and worn. Here are some helpful tips to restore it to its original state.

First, cover the areas below the part where you plan to restore by placing tarps and dropcloths over plants, glass and other fixtures. Apply an even coating of paint stripper to your cedar siding and leave it on as per manufacturer's instructions. Then, use a paint scraper to gently remove any signs of the original stain.

Using a fine-grit sandpaper, rub the siding surface, particularly focusing on any areas that still have stain. Next, look for signs of chips or cracks in the wood. Fill the damaged areas with epoxy filler, let dry completely, and sand the surface again.

Apply a coat of paint preservative with the use of a paintbrush and let it dry thoroughly. Use caulk on any exposed nails in the siding as well as in the larger cracks you can find. When the caulk dries up, paint the siding with a primer, and then a layer of siding paint. Make sure the preceding coat has already completely dried before you apply more coats