The popularity of log homes and cabins has increased dramatically during most of our lifetimes. Businesses, state, and national parks have also joined the trend with log structures because log homes are American icons that are here to stay.

Many people that live in log homes in the country also build log barns to house their livestock, harvested crops, farm, and ranch machinery. A faster and more efficient way to construct them is with pine log siding. It provides the full log look without the full log price.

Benefits Of Pine Log Siding Versus Full Log Construction

The two leading methods of constructing barns are using pine log siding and full pine logs. Pine log siding has significant benefits over building with heavy, expensive, and awkward logs stacked on top of each other. Log siding offers these benefits you can appreciate:

    • Construction is faster, easier, and safer
    • Siding is attached to conventional framing
    • Siding is virtually a “no-waste” product
    • The tongue and groove/end-matching design is strong
  • Siding can be end-butted anywhere between studs
  • Available in unfinished and pre-finished conditions
  • No need to rent a crane and hire a crane operator

High-quality pine log siding is kiln-dried to perfection to the correct moisture content for stability and staining. Homeowners with woodworking knowledge and skills can install some or all the siding to save money.

Constructing Barns With Log Siding

Building a barn with log siding is simple compared to building with full logs. Once the wall framing and roofing is in place, the siding work begins. Two approaches to construction are building without insulation and with insulation in the walls.

Non-Insulated Walls – With this method, you have the choice of installing OSB board and house wrap to the framing followed by siding or installing log siding only to the framing. After the siding is secured, the log corners and door and window log trims are installed. The siding is cleaned if necessary and stain with sealant is applied. This approach is less expensive without insulation and interior wall covering. Weatherproof screws are used to secure pine siding to the wall framing.

Insulated Walls – If insulating the walls is desired, OSB board and house wrap is secured to the wall framing, followed by the log corners and log trims. Insulation is placed between the wall framing to keep the barn’s inside warmer. The option of deleting the OSB board and housewrap saves money but provides less insulation. Other options are covering the walls with appropriate materials or leaving them uncovered. The siding is cleaned if needed and stained to your choice of colors.

“Many people that live in log homes in the country also build log barns to house their livestock, harvested crops, farm, and ranch machinery.”4

Choice Of Materials For Log Siding Barns

Your budget will determine if you will insulate your barn and the choice of siding profiles. The profile is the shape and size of the pine log siding. It is available in four favorite D-shapes:

  • Quarter Log – 2×6 and 2×8 and 2×6 and 2×4 trim
  • Half Log – 3×6 and 3×8 and 3×6 and 4×4 trim
  • Premier Log – 3×8 and 3×10 and 4×4 and 4×6 trim
  • Hand-Hewn Log – All the above sizes

Cedar log siding is another option for your barn, shed, or workshop. It is more moisture and insect-proof than pine, but is seasonal and only available in limited quantities. Check with us to see if any is currently in stock.

Unfinished Or Pre-Finished Log Siding

Pine log siding is available in unfinished and pre-finished conditions for your convenience. Unfinished siding is sanded, cleaned, and ready for finishing with your selection of stain/sealant. Stain can be applied with your choice of a brush or paint sprayer. Pre-finished siding has these benefits you can appreciate:

  • Saves up to 50% when compared to on-the-job site finishing
  • No delays with the weather or scheduling a painter
  • Siding arrives ready to install with stain/sealant protection
  • Finish is applied to perfection in a controlled environment
  • Finish is applied to the face, back, all edges, and ends
  • The stain/sealant meets and exceeds all warranty requirements

All log siding profiles, corner options, and log trims are available in a pre-finished condition. If you want to get the job finished much faster, use pre-finished log siding.

A Word About Stains

You can choose from low VOC water-based formulas and oils to oils that are just outside the restricted levels of some states’ guidelines, but still available in other states. Perma-Chink Ultra 2 is the premier waterborne finish for log homes. It offers a 5-year warranty unmatched in the stain industry and is available in many colors.

Log siding barns are Americana and something you will be pleased to own. Best wishes in planning and building yours!

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