Log Siding on Commercial Building
This commerical building in Jackson Hole, Wyoming features the 4×12 Ship Lap, Western Red Cedar, handcrafted log siding. This siding is designed to covered larger areas at one time. The total coverage is about 10 1/2 inches. It has a curved surface that is hand peeled. The hand peeling is gained through the use of a draw knife. Also the corners of the structure are finished with three-quarter log corner posts. These too are handcrafted. The log species is Western Red Cedar and all of the log railing is also handcrafted Western Red Cedar.
At times, such as for this project, two or three semi loads of this product is purchased. Lot siding can be attached to almost any surface, so when a lodge, for instance, purchases a new facility, they may purchase log siding to apply to existing structures and handcrafted logs for the new structures.
To help prevent checking to these logs there is a curved stress relieve channel cut into the back of each slab. This specialty Western Red Cedar siding can also be purchased in the smooth finish.
One large advantage of log siding over solid log is the lack of shrinkage. The log siding is attached directly to the framing, so no shrinkage in the wall height should occur. When building a home it is a good idea to stain the siding before you put it up. This keeps the stain from dripping down on to other areas of the home.
For installation the bottom row of siding is installed first. Back screwing the siding from the interior side of the wall helps to hold each row into place. Any wood product is tempted to warp and twist. So extra screws inserted from the back side of the wall at various intervals, such as top middle bottom, or top diagonal bottom, help to insure the logs are not moving on you. They are in fact thin log pieces of logs.
Log siding is a great solution for those who do not want to have the troubles of shrinkage, settling, or interior log walls. When you desire to mimic big logs, this is a great solution. About Log Siding