You must be familiar with siding, which is used on the exterior of a building to provide an extra layer of protection against weather and other elements. Other than providing protection to your building, siding can also add beauty to your place, especially natural siding options such as wood.
Wood has always been one of the most popular and widely used options for siding. This is because solid wood provides a wonderful, natural appearance to the building as well as can protect it from a variety of elements, including dust, dirt and rot. When talking about wood siding, the two most common options in use are solid wood siding and engineered wood siding. Both types of wood siding are equally popular and choosing the right one will depend on your particular requirements and budget.
Even in solid wood, there are many species you can choose from, including redwood, pine wood, cedar, spruce, fir, cypress, etc., each of which is considered suitable for wood siding. Today, we talk about the benefits and disadvantages of wood siding as well as learn about the best wood types for siding.
Pros of Wood Siding
- Looks wonderful
One of the best benefits of wood siding is that it can give your property a rich look that no other material would even come close to. Wood with its natural colour, hue and texture is one of the most beautiful materials you can use for exterior siding. It will add both glamour and value to your property.
- Easy to paint & stain
Most wood species can be painted and/or stained easily to give them whatever look or colour you want. That means you can use a low-price timber option and paint it to give that classic or premium rich look to your wood siding or make it match your exterior. Stain on wood is also often used to provide an extra safety layer to protect wood from insects, sun and weather.
- Protects from natural elements (durable)
Many species of wood are naturally resistant to weather conditions such as rain and sun and can effectively protect your exterior from moisture and insects. Wood is also one of the best options for siding in terms of stability and durability. However, wood durability depends on its species, so choose your siding carefully.
- Safe for the environment
Wood is the most eco-friendly option if you are concerned about sustainability. Wood is friendly to nature, in fact, it is a part of nature. Look for sustainably-sourced wood options for your wood siding.
- Easy to clean & repair
Wood siding is also easy to clean and repair. You can clean wood simply using a cloth or brush. If there is damage to any part of wood siding, it can be easily repaired and/or replaced as required.
- Many options to choose from
As you may be well aware, wood comes in many options. There are literally thousands of wood species you can choose from in terms of colour, texture, cost, availability, etc. Though not all wood species are durable, you can paint or stain wood siding to make it more durable and insect-resistant. White redwood and cedar are resistant to insects, pine or spruce need to be treated first.
Cons of Wood Siding
- Threatened by insects
The reason why not everyone prefers to use wood for siding is that insects can damage wood significantly. Even if you use insect-resistant wood, it might start degrading over years due to constant attacks by insects and worms. This is why wood siding must be treated with insecticides or painted to ensure protection from insects.
- High maintenance
Wood, especially when used outside, needs to be taken good and regular care of. This is because wood siding will be affected by exterior elements such as weather and by attacks from insects. That’s why it will need regular care and maintenance, including occasional repairs. It is recommended to perform maintenance for wood siding at least once every four to five years and replace rotten parts.
- Expensive
Wood siding can be more expensive than alternatives such as vinyl siding and aluminium siding, which cost much less but provide equal levels of protection. However, one thing to note is that no other siding option looks as attractive or can give a similar rich look to your place as wood siding.
- Not resistant to fire
When used outside, fire accidents are possible. However, since most wood siding options are not resistant to fire, they will burn quickly if ever get in touch with fire. So, if you live in an area where fire accidents are frequent, you must avoid using wood for siding or go with a fire-resistant wood siding option such as Ipe.
Best Types/Species of Wood for Siding
Any wood species that is durable, resistant to rot and weather, and looks naturally great is a perfect choice for wood siding. Here are some of the best wood options for siding:
Pine: Pine is a softwood that looks great in its natural brownish-yellow colour with a medium texture. It is strong and durable enough for use as siding and is also relatively inexpensive.
Cedar: Natural tannins in cedar make it resistant to termites, ants, and rodents, and it is also very durable but sealing must be done in order to protect it from moisture.
Redwood: Redwood is prized for its great reddish hue which can add significant value to your building. It is also considered durable in terms of resistance to sun, rain and weather.
Fir: Douglas fir is naturally resistant to rot and its brownish hue with small tight knots make it a favourite for all types of exterior applications, including wood siding.
Spruce: Spruce is a popular wood for siding because of its low cost. It is, though, not as strong or durable as other options such as cedar.
If you are looking for high-quality, sustainable wood options for siding, contact White Knight Consulting Ltd to purchase the best wood for siding at a low price and with doorstep delivery all over the UK.