Best Log Siding: Pine Tongue And Groove With End-Matching

Log homes are more popular than ever with more than 30,000 of them built each year in the U.S. You see them in the suburbs, countryside, mountains, by lakes, rivers, and in the woods. If you are considering building a log house or cabin, do you know the most cost-efficient way to construct them? In case you don’t know, it’s accomplished with pine log siding instead of full round or square logs.

Pine log siding with the tongue and groove (T&G) end-matching design has revolutionized the log home building industry. These features have created a virtually “no-waste” eco-friendly building material that saves 10% - 20% in labor and waste.

 
What Is Pine Log Siding

Pine log siding is milled from Norway pine, also called red pine, with advanced machinery. This amazing product is created by removing the middle of a pine log which leaves two pieces of “D” shaped siding and one center piece. Each piece of siding is shaped with a tongue on one side and one end and a groove on the other side and end. The center cut of wood is used to make paneling, flooring, trims, and other products.

Pine log siding, like other siding materials, is attached to the wall framing on the outside and inside of walls. It is available in several widths and thicknesses that simulate full round logs quite well. You can purchase it in unfinished and pre-finished conditions.

Pine T&G Log Siding Benefits

Of the wood and synthetic log siding on today’s market, T&G with the end-matching feature is your best buy. It provides these benefits for builders and homeowners:

• It is virtually a “no-waste” product that is not sent to a landfill
• Pine siding is attached to conventional wall framing with screws
• It is faster and easier to install than building with full logs
• Pine siding creates superior wall rigidity and strength compared to vinyl or cement siding
• It provides the full log look without the full log price
• No need to hire an expensive crane and operator to lift the siding

A bonus many people enjoy is that homeowners with woodworking knowledge and skills can install pine log siding.

“Pine log siding with the tongue and groove (T&G) end-matching design has revolutionized the log home building industry.”

Other Types Of Wood Log Siding

Although other styles of wood siding are used by homeowners, they do not provide the same benefits as T&G end-matching pine log siding, and here is why:

• Shiplap is more difficult to keep clean than log siding and can lift and warp if not installed correctly
• T&G Without End-Matching wastes siding and takes more time to measure, saw, and install
• Wood Shakes consist of layered installation that is difficult to repair, can be more expensive, and can trap moisture.
• Lap (Clapboard) wastes siding and takes more time to measure, saw, and install
• Board & Batten uses two layers of wood, costs extra for labor, doesn’t look great on smaller homes, and large pieces can warp over time

Synthetic Log Siding Has Some Issues

Some home and cabin owners choose synthetic log siding materials instead of real wood. As time passes, many people grow tired of its “fake” appearance and it has some disadvantages:

• Vinyl siding can fade, dent, soften, crack, and warp over time if not installed correctly or a lower-quality brand is used. Vinyl siding is not a “green” product.
• Aluminum siding is a soft metal and can be easily dented by hail, scratched, and fade over time. It can also be noisy during high winds and heavy rains and is not eco-friendly.
• Fiber Cement siding is typically more expensive than other options, needs trained installers, can become brittle and break if hit by hard objects, and is not eco-friendly.
• Steel siding can rust if scratched, dent if hit by hard objects, does not insulate well, does not quieten noise, requires special tools to install, and can fade over time.

Unfinished Or Pre-Finished Pine Log Siding

Pine log siding offers the popular advantages of unfinished, pre-finished, and hand-hewn varieties. They all need staining and sealing with the color of your choice. You or a painter can do the work or let the mill finish the siding in their professional finishing room. Pre-finished siding is created in a temperature and humidity-controlled atmosphere that provides a perfect finished product without runs or mess-ups.

Log Corners and Log Trims Complete The Project

Building a log home or converting a home to a log house requires log corners and log trims. They are available in sizes and shapes to match the style of log siding you choose. They are secured to the wall framing’s OSB board and house wrap with weatherproof screws.

Now you see the advantages of pine log siding over other types of wood and synthetic siding. Real pine wood log siding looks authentic and gives you the full log look without the full log price. Happy building!

 
References and Resources:

• Pine Log Siding Benefits
• Pine Log Siding Is Superior