5 Ways Pine Wood Log Siding Is Better Than Man-made Materials

Some companies produce man-made materials for constructing log homes, but none have the traditional charm and beauty of real pine wood. Pine has been used successfully for centuries in the U.S. and abroad for making durable and rustic homes.

Although there is a small segment of log homeowners who use various siding materials such as vinyl, cement, aluminum, or steel, they have not caught on very well.

Let’s explore the 5 ways pine wood log siding is the ideal siding material for both the inside and outside of your cabin or home. You can find the best products at fair prices online from a company that gives excellent customer service.

Pine Log Siding Is Your Best Opportunity

Of all available log cabin siding materials, pine is the best all-around choice because of its many benefits. The tongue and groove end-matching design reduces waste to virtually “0” and it provides a fast, easy way to install it. Homeowners like these benefits over man-made products:

• It is strong and durable
• Pine does not fade colors
• Unlike vinyl or aluminum, it is not flimsy
• It is affordable for your construction budget
• Skilled homeowners can install it to save money

Living in a real pine log cabin or home provides a warm and relaxing atmosphere that you just can’t find in a plastic or metal structure. If you love wood in general, you will love a log siding home built with high-quality materials.

Pine Siding Becomes More Beautiful Over Time Compared to Vinyl

Vinyl siding manufacturers do a fair job of producing products that are resistant to fading caused by direct sunlight. However, their technology to protect siding is limited because ultraviolet light eventually discolors the best siding. You end up with an unwanted inconsistent appearance that is unattractive.

As you can see in this illustration, vinyl is rather flimsy and subject to warping when not installed correctly. Hail, baseballs, rocks, and toys can dent it rather easily when children and adults are careless and the weather is harsh. This product requires more maintenance than most of us realize and it is not a “green” sustainable siding material. Pine siding is not thin and flimsy and subject to easy damage.

Pine Log Siding Has Advantages Over Fiber Cement

If you are thinking about using fiber cement siding, you should know why pine has advantages over it. Fiber cement is an OK siding product but it:

• Requires more maintenance than you might want
• Is not energy efficient like some other materials
• Absorbs moisture which is bad for the wood and insulation under it
• Is more difficult to install than pine and generally requires a contractor
• If homeowners can’t install it, the overall cost goes up
• Is not the “greenest” or environmentally friendly material

It is advisable to have more insight into the problems associated with fiber cement siding.

It’s super to know that homeowners, friends, and family with woodworking skills can install pine log siding in an effective manner and save a lot of money in the process. Matching exterior log trim is readily available to meet your needs.

“Pine wood is the ideal siding material for both the inside and outside of your cabin or home.”

Pine Log Siding Is Much Sturdier Than Aluminum

Although this looks like wood, it is really processed aluminum siding with problems you can’t avoid. There are reasons this type of siding is less popular than it was in the 50s through the 80s. For one, it can make a lot of unwanted noise when it is not installed properly. It is also quite susceptible to denting and scratching for a variety of reasons.

Harsh weather can fade the color over time and leave the bare metal exposed. Don’t try to cover up structural or cosmetic damage with aluminum because you will be sorry if you change siding or sell the home. Avoid these problems with high-quality pine or cedar siding.

Steel Log Siding Is Expensive

Steel log siding is a sturdy material but most people shy away from it because of its cost. If you build a large log home, the upfront cost is tremendous. While metal siding is a better product than it was a few decades ago, its drawbacks outweigh most of its benefits, including:

• Like other metals, steel’s color and fade over time, and it becomes chalky. After a few years, some of the finish can rub off onto your clothes or hands.
• If parts of steel siding become scratched or unpainted too long, it can rust. Once rusting begins, it can discolor and steel’s integrity becomes compromised.
• Steel siding is difficult and expensive to install because specialized equipment is needed to cut and attach it to the home or business. Because of this, labor costs go up and it can be harder to find competent installers.
• This type of siding is a poor insulator year-round and users find their energy bills are too high. Some people add additional insulation behind it which further runs the cost up. Homeowners also report hearing too much noise from outside their homes.

Save yourself all these issues by using high-quality pine log siding in either quarter log, half log, or Premier D-log profiles. Learn how easy it is to install log siding in this video.

In Summary

Most homeowners want a cabin that looks like a real wood cabin – not a plastic, metal, or cement building. If this is your way of thinking, check out our log cabin and log home products and give us a call. We provide a free estimate and will answer all your questions about them. Find out more about natural wood and its characteristics to understand its appeal.

Resources and References:

• Fiber Cement Siding Problems
• How to Install Log Siding Trim