4x12 Handcrafted Log Siding
This is a specialty log siding that was designed to cover large areas and to mimic a handcrafted log home. Most milled log homes only have logs up to eight inches in diameter. This siding is 12 inches across included the tongues. Once installed it has a coverage of 10 1/2 inches to 10 3/4 inches. With a thickness of 4 inches it is similar to holding a 2×4 in your hand. Instead of a thin sheathing on the exterior, this is much thicker. From the angle in the photo you can also see the slight curvature to the siding on the back. This is called a stress relief curve and is designed to make the log siding crack on the backside instead of the front. The log species in the photo is a light color. It is Engelmann Spruce. Other siding varieties include Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. The Western Red Cedar siding is popular for not only homes, but also for finishing garages, shops, barns, and other outbuildings around the cabin. Red cedar is also known for use as cedar shakes, cedar siding, V channel groove siding, and board siding.
Nearly all of the commercially sold Western Red Cedar is a product of British Columbia. The substantial forests in that region make harvesting it not difficult. Smaller stands of Western Red Cedar are also found in Oregon, Washington, Northern California, Northern Idaho, and the extreme northwestern corner of Montana.
Handcrafted Log Siding
Handcrafted log siding is ship lapped for easy installation. Offered both in both milled and handcrafted finish in three tree species, Western Red Cedar, Englemann Spruce, and Douglas Fir can be seen together in this photo. The Red Cedar is in the middle, Douglas Fir on top, and Englemann Spruce on the lowest level. For insect repellent purposes of course the Red Cedar is the most popular. For a slightly darker color without as much cost the Douglas Fir is attractive. And for a white log with a better price tag, the Englemann Spruce is often chosen.
When coupled with other log features such as log railing on a home or business it makes the entire structure appear to be solid log. This is a very attractive specialty product that is very unique and is available through Cowboy Log Homes.