What Is Cypress Wood Siding?

Cypress wood is extremely durable and used to be a standard exterior wood siding in older homes. Today, however, this type of siding is costly, mostly due to the difficulty of milling the wood. Despite being tremendously rot-resistant, this wood is lightweight, easy to work with, and naturally repels insects that cause wood damage. If cypress wood siding is hard to source or too expensive, you might be able to find reclaimed cypress wood siding from hundred-year-old homes set for demolition.

What Is Cedar Wood Siding?

Cedar has natural insect repellant properties, which means that homeowners can avoid the need to “cure” the wood with chemical stains and insecticides. Cedar is also relatively easy to work with and is harder than other softwoods such as pine. Cedar siding also has a straight, which allows for beautiful finishes once stained. The grain's natural red and white colors offer a brilliant “log cabin-feel” to any home.

What Is Redwood Wood Siding?

Redwoods are widely renowned as some of the most towering trees in the world. They are also one of the fastest-growing trees. It is exceptionally durable and is not prone to shrinking or warping. Compared to other woods, redwood siding requires virtually zero maintenance outside initially staining and periodic sealing every 3-5 years. Like the other two options outlined above, redwood siding has natural insect repellant properties and is not as prone to rot. On the downside, much of the original Redwood forest on the United States' western coast has already been felled, making this an expensive option for exterior wood siding.

What Is Pine Wood Siding?

Pinewood siding is one of the most common types of wood used for exterior cladding. Pine is fast-growing and abundant throughout North America. In general, white pine is used for exterior walls, while yellow pine is the preferred option for 2x4 framing. The main benefit of opting for this type of wood is the relatively inexpensive cost, especially when compared to other wood species. On the downside, pine is not rot-resistant nor repellant of insects. Instead, the “sweetness” of the wood will naturally attract termites and other types of insects that feast on the wood.

One alternative to the chemically intense process of protecting pine boards is shou sugi ban, a traditional Japanese architectural technique. Shou sugi ban involves charring the wood planks with fire and then immediately cooling the wood, effectively creating a charcoal surface finished with natural oils.

The carbonized layer on the wood’s surface acts as a natural sealant. It will preserve the pine boards without chemicals, paints, or other surface treatments.

While offered at a premium, another alternative is thermally modified pine, which takes away most of the cons associated with more inexpensive wood species used for siding.

What Is Thermally Modified Wood Siding?

High-temperature thermally modified wood has been altered by super-heating in the absence of oxygen. It is made more durable to outside elements like moisture, temperature changes, pests, and mold. Unlike most wood cladding options, thermally modified wood achieves the necessary durability without chemicals that off-gas harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Almost any wood species can be thermally modified, making it an attractive option for homeowners who want to use a certain type of wood for appearance, sustainable harvesting, or other reason.

Thermally modified wood siding should last up to 25 years, but it loses its color when exposed to UV rays and eventually turns grey. The color can be preserved with a natural oil sealant.

What Is Engineered Wood Siding?

Engineered wood siding is another option for homeowners to consider. This type of siding is not real wood but rather a manufactured wood product made from woodchips, sawdust, and other castoff wood products from the lumber and milling industry. Engineered wood siding is held together by bonding agents, such as formaldehyde and other chemical resins. On the plus side, engineered wood products are incredibly durable. They can easily last for thirty or more years with limited maintenance. They also reduce pressure on standing forests by using the byproducts of the lumber industry. On the downside, these products do require chemical resins and bonding agents, which can leak VOCs into and around your home.