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How Pine and Cedar Log Siding Give the Full-log Look
The demand for cedar and pine log siding and timber frame homes has increased dramatically during the past decade. For example, the construction of these homes has risen 56% from 2012 through 2017 with a total of 10, 676 sold in 2017. Building permits for log cabins and homes keeps rising with no end in sight. Log and timber frame homes are 5.3% of all custom homes built in the United States.
With all this construction activity, it’s notable that you can have the full log look without the full log price and maintenance illustrated here. Log siding is much less work, less expensive, produces less material waste, and allows homeowners with woodworking experience to do some of the work. With free labor, it’s easy to see how construction costs are more affordable.
Let’s delve into the nature of log siding, three favorite profiles, how it achieves the full log look, and where to find high-quality siding at fair prices. Once you know all this, it becomes apparent why so many people are using log cabins and homes for full-time residences as well as for weekend getaways and longer vacations.
What Is Log Siding?
Log siding is a manufactured home building product typically made from pine and cedar trees. Select trees are felled, the bark removed, and milled to consistent dimensions for tight-fitting joints. The centers of the tree are removed and used for other building materials and the two outer pieces become log siding. It has one flat side and one round side that gives it a “D” shape to simulate full logs.
Log siding is kiln-dried at mills to the correct moisture content and for ease of applying stain and/or a clear coat finish. The sides and ends are milled with a tongue and groove/end-matching design that provides these benefits:
- Firstly, Siding is fast and easy to install with simple tools
- It saves up to 20% in labor and up to 20% in material waste
- Siding requires less maintenance than full logs
- Pine and cedar siding shows minimal cracking compared to full logs
- Log siding is available in unfinished and pre-finished options.
Any way you look at it, log siding is a joy to work with and everyone appreciates its rustic appearance. It can also be used on the inside walls instead of paneling or drywall.
The 3 Profiles of Pine and Cedar Siding
Today’s siding mills provide three options of cedar and pine log siding to achieve the look you want and meet your budget. They include quarter log, half log, and premier D-log siding in unfinished and pre-finished conditions. Each varies by thickness and widths and is priced accordingly.
Quarter log is available in both 2×6 and 2×8 sizes and is appealing in its rustic beauty and charm. Its firm ¼” tongues and grooves ensure a lock-tight design on the sides and ends.
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| Quarter Log Siding | 2×6 Log Trim | 3×4 Log Trim |
Order 2×6 or 3×4 D-trim for trimming around windows and doors and a corner system at the same time your purchase siding.
Half Log Siding…
This half log profile provides the strongest single tongue and groove system in today’s market. Its strong ½” tongues and grooves create a sold fit on all sides and ends of the logs.
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| Half Log – Siding | 3×6 Log Trim | 4×4 Log Trim |
Its bold 3×6 and 3×8 sizes are a perfect combination of appearance and price for your prized log home. Add the 3×6 or 4×4 log trim and a matching corner system and you’re in business!
Premier D-log siding provides the deepest profile and the most authentic look for a true log home. Enjoy this knotty pine siding with all its character and charm inside and outside.
“Log siding is much less work, less expensive, produces less material waste, and allows homeowners with woodworking experience to do some of the work. With free labor, it’s easy to see how construction costs are more affordable. “
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| Premier D-Log – Siding | 4×4 Log Trim |
Premier D-log is available in 3×8 or 3×10 sizes for the exterior and interior of your log cabin. Trimming around windows and doors is easy with our 4×4 and 4×6 sizes and choice of corner systems. This profile gives the upscale look that many log cabin and log homeowners want.
How Log Siding Achieves the Full Log Look
Pine and cedar log siding are attached to wallboard and studs and are thick and wide enough to mimic the look of full logs. You can choose a thicker siding product than quarter log to give even more depth that more closely simulates logs.
Another way to achieve the look is to install hand-hewn logs that look like they were made by hand with an axe. Full log homes carry with them five disadvantages compared to those built with log siding you should know about.
Where to Find High-quality Log Siding
Shopping for your choices of log siding and log trim is easy with the WoodWorkers Shoppe. Stop by our retail showroom or order online to find all these quality products at fair prices:
- Pine, cedar, and barnwood siding
- Pine and cedar paneling
- Trims and moldings
- Flooring, doors, peeled logs
- Caulking, chinking, and finishes
- Railings, steps, beams, beam covers, trusses
- Kitchen and bath cabinetry
Now is a great time to firm up your plans and get started on your dream log cabin or log home.
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