Replies

1. 
   Fred_Matthews | Dec 15, 1999 06:21am | #5

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   adj: I endured 2 winters in Syracuse....and would never recommend that fir w/stand what you guys go through...brrrrrrr...our worst weather condition is patchy fog.....high of 73 today.......
   fred

2. 
   Guest_ | Dec 17, 1999 05:04am | #6

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   Kurt,

   If the final decision on material is fir siding, I highly recomend the spar varnish made by Penofin (1-800-PENOFIN).
   It actually has an amber tint to it; a result of the metalic particles which provide a 99% UV barrier. Their warranty is twice that of competitors. Applied properly, you
   will never scrape in the future. I used it on a huose 5 years ago(cvg doug fir board & batten),and to date am quite satisfied. I was impressed the first time I used it on a south facing exterior door(mahogany) in Denver. Looked great
   4 years later.

   Food for thought, Rick

3. 
   Guest_ | Jan 05, 2000 05:35am | #7

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   In the January 2000 issue of Fine Homebuilding was an article "Concrete, Timber and Glass" about the use of different materials in a coastal home. This included the use of stained fir on the exterior. I have a similar situation where fir has been recommended for the exposed wood. I'm concerned about using such a 'soft' wood on the exterior and was looking for advice on treating and protecting the wood. I'm concerned about the wood's longevity and long-term appearance. The environment is central CA (hot,dry summers and wet winters).

   Thanks,

   Kurt

   P.S. The architect originally specified mahogany, but mahogany siding, trim and garage doors wasn't fitting the budget.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 14, 1999 01:28am | #1

   *As a general rule, clear finishes do not provide the protection that semi transparent, semi solid or solid stains do. Pigments in these stains provide UV protection. If you use a clear finish, more frequent applications may be required to maintain the appearance of the wood. I'd stain all sides of the wood before installing and see that design details like runoff from a roof doesn't land on a wall or splash back from the ground onto the wall (broad overhangs help here). If part of the house is shaded, adding a mildewicide to the stain may prevent or at least slow the onset of mildew problems. Most major manufacturers have excellent technical service departments with 1-800 #s and would be a good source of info.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 14, 1999 04:24am | #2

   *Fir?...Are their five homes you can actually drive by and see that ten and twenty and fifty year old transparent finished homes trimmed in fir exist in great shape???Are boats trimmed in fir????How about Teak, Mahoghany, Brazilian cherry,....near the stream thinking fir??? a framing wood that moves and splits like the dickens when used for framing,.,.aj

1. 
   Fred_Matthews | Dec 14, 1999 05:41am | #3

   *yes adj..fir. Actually my wood of choice in building front entries. A few caveats however": no, I would never use it anywhere where it is constantly subjected to :a) intense sunlightb) wet/dry conditionsFurther, I would only use Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) fir which has been suitably air dryed. And good quality CVG fir will probably run you more than mahogany. Insofar as stability..CVG fir is generally straight as you can find in the lumber bins, does not check (if properly dried), and has average % shrinkage characteristics. But for beauty? Absolutely gorgeous...I have a CVG fir door, finished w/ a spar varnish mixture which has aged to a golden amber in the 6 years its been installed in our home in coastal san diego. Our weather is by no means severe, but offers a challenging environment to wood with humidity change and dry beating sun. Frequently I mix woods using CVG fir for rails and stiles with a clear or tight knot redwood for the panels. I would even consider using an all heart redwood for a door/entry (far better looking wood, but softer than fir). The SPF you've been framing with in no way resembles the doug fir I'm talking about...they only come from the same species.To answer Kurt, I would not hesitate to use fir provided your entry is reasonably sheltered from direct assault by the elements.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 14, 1999 07:03pm | #4

   *Great reply Fred...I too like fir actually for inside work...It's too wet here to use outside...My thoughts above have to do with the word "exterior" which to me means a place that will wet and dry and have the sun or the mildew North side thing going after it....I have a sister that lives in San Diego that I visit along with many trips I've taken to hang glide out there... La Jolla, Black Mountuon, near Elsinore, and North of LA...Southern California has a pretty easy climate compared to much of North America just like all the songs say...I'm in Upstate NY by the way and we get all four season's to the fullest...Exteriors only take more of a beating in Seattle I would think...But I could be wrong...just my thoughts of the moment!near the stream,aj