What Is Wood Log Home Siding?

Wood log siding is an exterior and interior wall cladding product that simulates the look of traditional log construction. Pine log siding is the best value while cedar log siding is more insect and moisture resistant. Pine siding is milled from trees grown on farms and cedar siding is milled from trees that grow in natural settings

Natural wood log siding has advantages over synthetic materials such as sustainability and ease of installation. It is primarily used for homes and cabins but also for detached garages, barns,

workshops, man caves, tree houses, sheds, and business buildings. Real wood siding, log trim, and log corners are easy to care for and are readily available online. They are amazing and rustic products that fill the needs of countless home and cabin owners.

How Wood Log Siding Is Made

Once the trees are harvested, the limbs and bark are removed. Each log is sized to the desired diameter, smoothed, cut to length, kiln-dried to correct moisture content for sealing, and hand-inspected. Next, the center part of each log is removed that leaves two pieces of siding. The center-piece can be used for other purposes such as paneling, flooring, or trims.

Pine log siding and trims come in choices of profile thicknesses and widths to meet your needs.

• Quarter Log: Order knotty pine or cedar, smooth or hand-hewn in 2x6 and 2x8 – use 2x6 or 3x4 log trim
• Half Log: Order knotty pine or cedar, smooth or hand-hewn in 3x6 and 3x8 – use 3x6 or 4x4 log trim
• Premier Log: Order in knotty pine or cedar hand-hewn only in 3x8 and 3x10 – use 4x4 log trim
• Pre-Finished Log siding comes with high-quality stains and finishes already professionally applied in all the above variations.

Advantages Over Synthetic Materials

The most significant advantage of real wood log siding over manmade materials is the already-mentioned sustainability. Pine trees are replanted on tree farms for future generations to enjoy. Homeowners find the following six issues with other siding materials you can avoid with real wood log siding:

• Aluminum has lower insulation qualities than wood siding. It is easily scratched and bent and is going out of style.
• Engineered Wood is not as durable and does not provide the natural appearance most people are seeking.
• Fiber Cement and Concrete siding are more awkward to work with, require professionals to install them, and maintenance is costly.
• Steel can fade its color over time, may rust if damaged, lacks the depth and texture of real wood, and is expensive to install.
• Synthetic Stone is one of the more expensive siding options and critics say it does not simulate real stone enough.
• Vinyl is not a green option because it can give off toxic fumes and can be flammable. It does not insulate as well as wood and can be easily damaged.

Pine and cedar log siding have it all beat for the long term for any style or size home or cabin.

Log Home Siding for Cabins and Homes Is a Winner

Pine and cedar log siding are ideal materials for constructing cabins and homes. The siding can be installed with simple tools, and homeowners with woodworking skills can do the job. When sealed and maintained properly, pine and cedar siding are durable and long-lasting materials.

You can order the siding, corners, trim, and fasteners yourself and save a bundle. Work this out in the builder’s contract so there will be no misunderstanding. You can have the full log look without the full log cost and long-term issues.

“Wood log siding is an exterior and interior wall cladding product that simulates the look of traditional log construction.”

Multiple Uses for Wood Log Siding

Pine and cedar log siding are versatile products that have many applications for businesses as well as homes. Their common uses are mentioned in the introduction above. People have even made small truck campers with lightweight styles with 2x2 framing as well as chicken houses and animal enclosures. You are only limited by your imagination.

Installation and Care of Wood Log Siding

Wood log siding is installed horizontally with the pieces secured from the bottom up to create the appearance of a traditional log home or cabin. Each piece of siding is attached to conventional wall framing after the OSB board and house wrap are installed on the exterior.

The interior pieces are nailed to the wall framing with a nail gun after the insulation has been placed between the studs. Both exterior and interior siding should be properly sealed, stained, and finished for durability. Maintenance and care instructions are found on the container labels and the manufacturers’ websites.

Where to Find High-Quality Log Siding

The Log Home Shoppe is America’s premier online log siding home supplier. You will find these products along with great customer service and fair prices:

• Log siding, corners, trims
• Paneling, interior trims, flooring
• Log trusses, beams, and rafters
• Stairways and cabinetry
• Stains, sealants, clear finishes

All these fine products and more are available online for your shopping convenience.

References and Resources

• Wood Siding VS Vinyl
• Why Use Wood Log Siding