Log siding is an exterior and inside cladding that mimics the look of conventional log development. It’s fabricated from wooden, vinyl, concrete, and metal supplies. Log cabin siding is put in horizontally, with the items stacking as much as create the looks of a standard cabin.
Log home siding options the look of oval logs, with a flat inside face and a rounded exterior face. It’s a preferred siding alternative for cabins, lodges, and rural settings.
Execs and Cons of Log Siding
The distinct qualities of log siding include benefits and disadvantages.
Execs
- Straightforward set up: Log siding has a easy set up course of. Its gentle supplies and easy design make it a DIY-friendly siding.
- Vitality effectivity: Wooden log siding offers insulation, maintaining a house’s inside heat throughout winter and funky in the summertime.
- Sturdiness: Log siding consists of high-quality wooden or different sturdy supplies. It has a mean lifespan of 15-40 years.
- Aesthetic attraction: Log siding offers a country, pure look that improves the curb attraction of any dwelling or constructing. It additionally provides to the worth of a property.
Cons
- Upkeep necessities: Wooden log siding might be susceptible to rot, decay, and bug infestations. Sealing is critical to guard it from components. Different materials choices additionally want common cleansing.
- Pricier than different options: Log siding is an economical various to conventional log development. But it surely’s nonetheless dearer than different sorts of siding.
The way to Set up Log Siding
Instruments & Supplies Required
- Tape measure
- Home wrap
- Degree
- Round or miter noticed
- Chalk line
- 3-inch galvanized nails/ screws
- Hammer
- Ladder/ scaffolding
- Starter strips
- Trim
- Paint/ stain
Set up Standards
- Put together the floor: The floor must be clear, dry, and debris-free. Ensure it’s degree and easy, as bumps can have an effect on the looks of the completed siding.
- Add a moisture barrier: Set up home wrap to guard the home from moisture injury.
- Safe the starter strips: Starter strips present a safe base for the primary row of log siding. Use a chalk line to degree the strips. Nail down the strips at ½-1 inch above the muse and round home windows and doorways.
- Set up the log siding: Place the primary log on the base and use a degree to straighten it. Safe the log siding utilizing screws/ galvanized nails into the wall studs at a downward 45-degree angle. Work upwards, interlocking the siding items on the tongue. Chances are you’ll want to chop the siding as you attain energy shops and different obstacles. Additionally, you’ll have to chop the final row lengthwise to suit.
- Set up the trim: Set up trim items round home windows, doorways, and corners to supply a completed look. The trim additionally helps shield towards moisture intrusion.
- Apply a end: End with paint, stain, or different protecting coatings.
Security Measures & Finest Practices
- Put on acceptable security gear, equivalent to security glasses, gloves, and durable work boots.
- Comply with the producer’s directions for the perfect outcomes.
- Prime or pre-finish the siding surfaces when utilizing wooden log siding. You might also must precondition the supplies earlier than set up.
- Keep away from lacquers, varnishes, or different clear film-forming finishes on uncovered wooden. Such finishes crack and peel, which ruins the looks of the siding.
Widespread Varieties of Log Siding Profiles
Log siding is obtainable in numerous profiles, which determines the siding’s look.
Full Spherical Log Siding
Full spherical log siding is produced from cylindrical logs with a uniform diameter alongside their size. The logs characteristic a curved exterior, giving them a rounded profile. The within of the logs could also be flat or have a tongue and groove profile, relying on the set up methodology used.
Half Log Siding
Half-log siding consists of logs milled or reduce in half, leading to a semi-circular profile. The flat facet is put in towards the wall, whereas the curved facet faces outward. Half-round log siding is flatter and extra common in form than full-round log siding.
Quarter Log Siding
Quarter log siding has a flatter floor than different sorts of log siding. The curved exterior faces overlap to create a sequence of horizontal arcs, which provides the siding a definite look. It’s straightforward to put in and inexpensive in comparison with different varieties.
D-Formed Log Siding
The D-shaped log siding has a extra refined and trendy look than full spherical log siding. This profile includes a flat floor on the within of the log and a curved floor on the surface. It provides the logs a particular D-shape when considered from one finish. The logs’ flat inside floor makes set up simpler. It additionally provides a extra uniform look when completed.
Hand-Hewn Log Siding
Hand-hewn log siding options an irregular and textured profile with flat sections throughout every log. It creates a country, pure look for cabins, lodges, and rural settings.
Swedish Cope Log Siding
Swedish cope log siding includes a half-moon reduce on the underside of every log. The cope creates a good, interlocking match that gives good insulation and climate safety. The logs’ diameter ranges from 6-12 inches, with lengths as much as 18 toes.
Alternate options to Wooden Log Siding
Wooden log siding consists of both pine or cedar log siding. Different log siding supplies embrace vinyl, concrete, and metal.
Vinyl Log Siding
Exterior vinyl log siding options embossing to resemble the feel and grain of pure wooden logs. Vinyl is immune to moisture, rot, bugs, and different injury that may have an effect on pure wooden. It requires little or no upkeep moreover cleansing with a hose or stress washer.
Concrete Log Siding
Concrete log siding consists of sand, fiber cement, and different supplies. Not like wooden, concrete log siding doesn’t want common portray, staining, or sealing. It’s sturdy in excessive climate situations, together with rain, snow, wind, and daylight. It’s additionally immune to bugs, rot, and different injury that may have an effect on pure wooden.
Metal Log Siding
Metal log siding consists of metal panels resembling pure wooden logs. It’s a secure and dependable choice since metal is fire-resistant and withstands harsh climate. Most metallic siding characteristic foam backing to extend rigidity. Producers additionally provide customization of colours and finishes.
Comparability of Log Siding With Different Siding Choices
Evaluating log siding with different sorts of siding helps you select the perfect one on your dwelling.
Vinyl Siding
Whereas vinyl siding is cheaper, its manufacturing and disposal can have unfavorable environmental impacts. Vinyl siding is produced from PVC, which is a sort of plastic. Vinyl materials is much less sturdy than pure log siding.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is well-liked because it’s low upkeep and immune to rot, insect injury, and hearth. It is available in numerous kinds, together with shingles, clapboards, stone, stucco, and brick. Log siding is healthier for owners who need a rustic, pure home design.
Dutch Lap Siding
Dutch lap siding options an overlapping profile with wooden, vinyl, fiber cement, or aluminum boards. Log siding requires extra upkeep than Dutch lap siding. Pure log siding is prone to rot, insect injury, and warping over time.
Cedar Siding
Cedar siding is produced from cedar wooden. It’s out there in numerous kinds, together with bevel, board and batten, and tongue and groove. Cedar is sturdy and moisture, insect, and decay-resistant. It requires much less upkeep than wooden log siding, which is prone to climate injury. However cedar is dearer than vinyl and different wooden siding.
Board and Batten Siding
Board and batten siding have related materials choices as log siding. Professionals set up such a siding vertically or horizontally. The boards are put in individually, so changing one defective piece is simple. However, such a siding takes longer to put in than log siding.
Price of Log Siding
Log siding prices between $2 and $13 per sq. foot. Vinyl log siding is the most cost effective, at $3-$5 per sq. foot of fabric. Log siding produced from premium wooden like cedar and redwood is expensive however affords higher sturdiness than pine. The fee varies relying on the siding profile, set up, and property dimension.
Components Affecting the Total Price
- Native labor prices: Labor prices vary between $1-$15 per sq. foot.
- Mission dimension: Giant initiatives price extra because of the elevated labor, supplies, and time required to finish the job.
- Floor preparation and repairs: Repairs to the house’s sheathing, home wrap, and elimination of previous siding add to the ultimate price.
- Ending and sealing: Portray, trimming, and sealing improve prices, requiring extra labor and supplies. Vinyl and fiber cement log siding don’t want portray or sealing, which reduces the venture price.
- High quality and profile of log siding: Log siding with a thick profile prices extra. D-shaped log siding is the deepest profile, whereas the quarter log is essentially the most inexpensive.
Steadily Requested Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Can log siding be used for each inside and exterior purposes?
Sure, log siding is used for inside paneling and exterior siding. Log siding will also be used as an accent wall in a room. It creates a country or cabin-like aesthetic of any constructing.
What’s the typical lifespan of log siding?
Log siding has a mean lifespan of 15-40 years. Correct set up and upkeep improve the longevity of the siding. The standard and sort of wooden affect the lifespan of pure log siding.
How do I select the proper log siding model for my dwelling?
Take into account the kind of materials you wish to use on your log siding. Every has its personal distinctive traits and value vary. Artificial log siding produced from vinyl and fiber cement is obtainable in numerous colours and textures.
Can I set up log siding over my present siding?
Sure, the present siding can act because the substrate if it’s in good situation. Examine the partitions for water leaks, rot, or warping earlier than set up.
