In the first part of this series, we discussed the most common profiles of wood siding options that are used for siding on your tiny house. The most common profiles of Channel Wood Siding, Bevel Wood Siding, Shiplap Wood Siding, Tongue and Groove Wood Siding, and Log Lap Wood Siding are all strong contenders when deciding on a profile to use as siding for your tiny house. In this blog, let’s look into the different species of wood that are commonly used in these different profiles.
Before we get started, it’s important to know that wood siding usually comes in two different grades. Siding is generally categorized as either a premium or knotty grade. A premium grade will have fewer features such as knots, pitch streaks and imperfections. On the other hand, a knotty grade will typically will have sound, tight knots and will be a little more rustic looking. Really think about the look you are trying to achieve when determining the right grade of wood siding for you.
Tiny House Wood Siding Species Available
Cedar Wood Siding
Let’s start with one of the originals, Western Red Cedar Wood Siding- there is no substitute for the natural beauty and durability of this species of wood siding. Western Red Cedar is a beautiful, traditional option that you cannot recreate with vinyl or other composite siding materials. Cedar wood siding is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks. It also free of pitch and resin, which means it takes to stains, oils and finishes very well.
Pine Wood Siding
The most common type of wood siding in North America is pine. Pine siding can be painted or stained, with most people choosing to paint it. Painting the siding is usually easier, because pine does not have a distinctive grain. Be on the lookout for higher quality pine siding that will be more durable. Keep in mind that pine wood siding is not rot resistant and does not repel insects. To retain the integrity of the wood, it also requires paint or stain to seal it. Given its downsides, it is still a common choice and it is easy to mill, which results in different styles of siding available.
Beetle Kill Pine Wood Siding
You may or may not be familiar with the Beetle Kill Pine epidemic. In areas with the Mountain Pine Beetle outbreak, many trees are left infected with this fungus and must be removed. Despite the tragedy, a beautiful wood siding product has emerged from it. Beetle Kill Wood Siding is a sight to see with its natural blue-grey stain. It is kiln dried and ready to install, so you don’t have to worry about additional damage from the fungus. By choosing beetle kill wood siding for your tiny house project, you are helping to reverse this atmospheric pollution by creating a call to action to remove these dead trees. We stock 6″ and 8″ V Edge Tongue and Groove siding, which is easy to install and beautiful to look at.
Redwood Wood Siding
Redwood is a top contender for wood siding, given its durability and beauty. The wood has very little resin, so it accepts stain or other finishes easily. The wood does not shrink as much as other types of wood, so it doesn’t change shape as much, which reduces cupping and warping. Given these qualities, redwood wood siding requires less maintenance than other species of wood siding. The redwood trees provides natural insect repellents and is not as prone to rot. This discourages insects from making their home in your siding, leading to siding replacement down the road.
There are many other species of wood siding available, which are all excellent choices for wood siding for your tiny house. We have seen beautiful tiny houses utilizing species such as Aspen Wood Siding, Doug Fir Wood Siding, Ipe Wood Siding and Hemlock Wood Siding. Because of our mill direct relationships, we are able to offer a larger selection and variety than our competitors. Need to match an existing, hard to find profile or wood species? Chances are, we can get it for you.
In Part Three of Wood Siding Options for your Tiny House, we will discuss some more options such as cedar shake siding, reclaimed wood siding, and some non wood siding options of vinyl and metal siding.
