Why You Should Use Wood Log Siding Instead of Fiber Cement Siding

An assortment of building materials are made to simulate log siding but nothing can take the place of real wood. Pine and cedar log siding provides the real log look without the full log price. Wood siding has numerous benefits over competing materials like fiber cement.

If you want durable yet affordable siding for your log cabin or log home, use pine or cedar in either quarter log, half log, or premier log. You can match it with an assortment of log trim and log corner systems.

Real Wood Log Siding Is More Cost-Effective

Fiber cement siding is pretty but it’s expensive to purchase and install compared to pine log siding and here’s why:

• The manufacturing process raises the price of the material.
• Specially trained installers must do the work.
• Since it is somewhat brittle, it must be stacked, stored, and handled the right way.
• It typically takes 2 people to carry and install the material.
• Specialized nails and guns must be used to prevent siding damage.

Pine log siding overcomes these issues in manufacturing, purchasing, and installing. Skilled homeowners, family, and friends can install the siding to save a lot of money.

What is Fiber Cement?

Fiber cement siding is a synthetic composite material made with cement, silica, and cellulose fibers. It looks a lot like real wood, but upon inspection, you can see the difference.                 

It was introduced in the 1980s to replace asbestos cement siding products. It’s available in log siding form, clapboard, and shingles in a limited number of colors. Although an OK product, there are 5 problems with its use.

Pine and Cedar Log Siding Installs Much Faster Than Fiber Cement

When you want a siding material that goes up faster and easier, use pine or cedar log siding. Its tongue and groove with the end-matching design is both effective and efficient. Here’s why:

• Save up to 20% on labor and material waste.
• They are virtually ‘no waste’ products.
• Use sawed-off pieces to start the next row.
• The ends fit together securely anywhere between wall framing.

Pine and Cedar Simulates Full Wood Logs Better

From a distance, fiber cement may look good, but as you get closer you can immediately notice it’s not real wood. Pine and cedar log siding looks so much like full logs, few people can tell the difference.  

If you want the rustic and natural qualities of real wood, use pine or cedar log siding. It works equally well on cabins, larger homes, garages, workshops, sheds, and barns. 

Pine and Cedar Have Higher Insulation Values

Inch for inch, pine, and cedar siding has more than 5 times the insulation value of fiber cement. When using 2” or 3” thick log siding, the insulation advantage is even more pronounced. Real wood breathes to allow better air circulation and promotes longer life.

Real Wood Siding Resists Moisture Better

When properly sealed and caulked, wood log siding resists moisture better than fiber cement which can actually hold moisture. Damp surfaces can lead to mildew, mold, siding damage, and even rot. The problem that arises when amateurs install this material is they typically don’t paint or caulk all the gaps and penetrations that allow moisture infiltration. 

When installed incorrectly, moisture problems can void the fiber cement product warranty. Contrast this with cedar log siding that is more naturally moisture resistant.

Fiber Cement Can Be a Dangerous Material to Work With

Installing this type of material is not a job for homeowners or amateurs. Cutting fiber cement to correct sizes releases crystalline silica which is a known carcinogen. The problem is when you inhale too much silica you can get lung cancer, silicosis, and COPD. Respirators, ventilation, and special saw blades must be used that raise the cost of installation.

Conclusion

Pine log siding is environmentally friendly and always will be because it’s made from trees that are grown on tree farms. This ‘green’ quality of pine siding makes it more appealing to a larger home-building audience. 

You will be excited to know high-quality log siding, log trim, and log corner systems can be purchased online at competitive prices. You can also order interior trim, wood paneling, pine flooring, doors, and more from our website.

References and Resources:

5 Problems with Fiber Cement 

Reasons to Choose Log Siding