What types of wood siding are there?

There are lots of wood siding materials, available in either softwood or hardwood species.  Softwood species such as red cedar, Douglas fir and redwood are popular, but require regular repainting or refinishing to hold up to outdoor weather. Hardwood siding species such as Ipe, Garapa, Machiche and Cumaru siding are longer lasting and beautiful, with tropical graining and exotic color variations.  High density hardwood siding is very durable.  Repainting or refinishing hardwood siding is an appearance option but is not required.

How does wood rainscreen cladding work?

Wood rainscreen cladding means any cladding that is installed as part of a rainscreen system. There are lots of rainscreen methods to install cladding and lots of material options. Once you choose your wood siding species, it will look pretty much the same from the outside, no matter what rainscreen installation method you select. But it’s what’s going on behind the siding that makes all the difference. The best rainscreen methods will protect your siding and your home or structure better, and much longer.

How does a wood rainscreen work?

All wood rainscreen methods leave a gap behind the wood siding to allow it dry out, which makes it less prone to rot and decay.  But some methods are much more effective than others. Using furring strips to create a rainscreen is OK but is certainly not the best way. The best rainscreen method is to allow ventilation at the top and bottom of the wall, and ventilation between the siding boards, without using furring strips.

How much rainscreen do I need?

One you decide which exterior walls you will install rainscreen siding on, simply measure the wall area. Multiply your wall height times your length to calculate your overall square footage. Then deduct the square footage of windows and doors (where you will not be using siding).  Then add a waste factor for trimming and cutting your rainscreen siding to fit.

Typical Example of How to Measure Your Project for Wood Siding:

How long will wood siding last?

The better the rainscreen system, the longer your wood siding will last. The better the species, the longer your wood siding will last. Softwood sidings must be refinished or repainted to extend their lifetime.  

High density hardwood siding lasts much longer. If you choose to let your hardwood siding ‘silver out’ to a driftwood patina, no refinishing is necessary. Hardwood siding installed in an appropriate rainscreen should last for at least 25 years or longer.

Is wood siding better than vinyl?

It really depends on what you are looking for in a siding material. Vinyl siding is lower cost than wood siding. And vinyl siding is easier to care for than any wood siding that needs to be repainted or refinished. If you want your hardwood siding to weather to a silvery gray appearance, the maintenance is about the same as vinyl siding.

From an appearance standpoint vinyl siding comes in many colors and styles. But cheap vinyl siding looks cheap. It covers your house but doesn’t help your property value.  Higher grades of vinyl siding look better, but at the end of the day, vinyl siding is still plastic. If you love the warm natural beauty of real wood, nothing compares to the look and value of hardwood siding.