Considering siding alternatives, I came accross a flyer in a gas station advertising kiln dried white cedar T&G, (1X8 .68/LF) 5/4 beveled & rabbeted siding (1X8 6 – 3/4″ reveal .74LF), and 5/4 decking at .75LF.
Called the number guy says he gets it from northern Canada and stocks it on his farm south of Minneapolis.
I’m going to go have a look-see, but meanwhile what should I look for, good or bad, and do these prices seem good to you? Any experience with the stability and quality of this “Canadian White Cedar?”
Does rabbited siding drain off as good as plain beveled? Seems like water could get in the rabbet and sit too long.
Replies
Don't know without seeing this stuff, but there are white cedar shingles made from Candian trees (northern white cedar is the species, I believe) that are very good. Have some on my house, as a matter of fact, and they're used very commonly around here (Maine).
Of course with longer boards, like what you're talking about, it gets harder to avoid knots and other defects. But if it's sound, white cedar lasts well.
I had a local mill here saw up some northern white for porch decking and trim, wasn't clear by any stretch but seems pretty solid. Time will tell.
Guess if I were you I'd look at two things primarily: how sound the wood is and how carefully it was stored. Price sounds reasonable--I'd have to check but I think I paid a bit more than that for my porch materials.
How you planning on finishing this?
Edited 8/29/2003 9:54:05 PM ET by MONSIEUR_ED
Thanks for your response.
I think probably just a high quality clear, flat, sealer, both sides. I need to sample seal a piece or two to match shingle color.
You might be interested to check out this finishing product made by a little outfit in Portland, Oregon called Timber-Tek "Wood-Pro." I used the stuff on my cedar porches and some clapboards (though the siding shingles I referred to earlier were pre-dipped in bleaching oil). It's pretty impressive.
http://www.timbertekuv.com/shingles.htm
Thanks for the tip. So much construction to do...so little time. So many decisions to make...so little time. The lament of the HO/GC.