I am building a new home along the Delware River here in the Easton, Pa. area. My goal is to side the house in a wood material that will blend in with all the trees here on the site. I would like the material to weather naturally to a bark gray and last a long time with minimal maintenance.
I recently saw a small shed near the river that has the “look” I am looking for. I have attached a picture of it here. As you can see it is 1×12 planks. I talked to the owner and she does not remember what kind of wood it was ( she says it is not cedar) and that her and her husband put it on and did absolutely nothing to it. It is now about 10 years old and it looks great – no water or insect damage and it has weathered beautifully. I definitely like the look of the wide 1×12 planks.
Does anyone have any recommendations for species of wood that I could use that would work in this situation. I am looking for something very reasonable in price. I am not a carpenter, so please excuse me asking this quesiton: is pine definitely not an option?? Also, if you feel you have some suggestions and know of a source for the wood, please let me know that too.
Thanks, Harold
Replies
I know Easton fairly well, or did.
What might be the best choice would be White Oak.
Correct, Pine is least desirable, but Hemlock may suit you well, after all it IS the PA. State Tree!
I'd begin w/the search for a "local" Saw mill..one of the top of my head is Carl Hunsberger and Sons ( I hope they are still around) just south of Quakertown off RT 309 and RichHill rd I believe.
This may help. First hit on Google............................
Get in touch with Carl Hunsberger's Sawmill Inc in Quakertown, PA.
Get information about Carl Hunsberger's Sawmill Inc, a Manufacturer in Quakertown, PA. MacRaesBlueBook.com has the latest phone number & address for this ...
http://www.macraesbluebook.com/search/company.cfm?company=413339 - Cached - Similar
along with zorro's suggestion of white oak, cedar or redwood would be good choices, too. But I think I'd put some kind of sealer on whatever siding was installed. Pine would work, but it definitely should have a topcoat.
And check out some local lumber yards to see what they have. Huston Lumber in Oldwick, NJ isn't too far away from you, and has a good selection of materials, with salesmen who know their stuff. Maybe 1/2 hour ride. They're 1/4 mile north of I-78 at the Oldwick exit.
I'd avoid pine because the US Forest Service lists it in the category of the most decay prone lumber species. The other suggestions made are good, including seeing what is available in your area.
I just sided a house in ponderosa pine which might not be available in the East, but I ran 8 inch boards and a 2 inch batten vertical using FH nailing pattern. I'll leave it untreated to weather to a nice gray. Ponderosa is stable, resists rotting and has beautiful grain. This is in New Mexico, slightly different than your home.
Caution while white oak is decay resistant white oak also has a lot of tannins in it! They cause nails to rot and the wood to decay so about 5 or six years later the siding is falling off and doesn't look good.. there are several decay resistant woods. without the high tannin content that white oak and black walnut have..
woods like Tamarack (spectacular looking wood in it's own right) Or white cedar (native around you) Both of which are pretty much considered scrap woods and have little market for.. about 20 cents per bd.ft is typical price to pay.
Any wood will weather to a beautiful soft grey in time.