Engineered wood is made up of composite wood. The composite wood is mixed with other different fibers and strands of various woods to make the finished product. The engineered wood is available in smooth or embossed textures, and in 4 foot by 8 foot sheets.
Engineered wood siding is relatively cheap; it ranges from $1.5 to $3.00 per square foot, and it can last up to 30 years. A majority of people prefer engineered wood siding because of its benefits such as its versatility, durability, affordability, and it is also environmentally friendly.
The styles of engineered wood siding can be vertical, horizontal, or overlap. The styles include;
- Drop Channel Siding
This siding style is versatile because it can be installed horizontally, diagonally, or vertically. Drop channel siding is an excellent choice for cabins because most of the cabins are paneled with a board cut with the drop channel style.
Drop channel siding provides plenty of room to expand and contract without compromising the structure. The partially overlapped edge gives an exciting shadow line. This type of siding can be ordered in prefinished grades of any kind of wood desired. Its maintenance involves periodic power washing, and painting or sealing.
- Lap Siding
It is also known as bevel or clapboard siding. This is one of the oldest styles of siding in the U.S. This siding is created by sawing a board in a pie-shape length. This then creates a narrow edge on one side of the length of the board and a wide edge on the other side.
The contractor then overlaps the boards, starting with the first board that is placed at the bottom of the wall. Lap siding is one of the best styles because it sheds water quite well since there are no edges which hold and absorb moisture. It should be maintained with painting and periodic staining.
- Shingle Siding
The wood shingles are popular siding because of the smoothness and consistency that they offer. They are easy to install, they can be stained or painted. They are mostly preferred for the oddly shaped walls such as turrets.
Shingle siding can be made from any wood that is used for siding. Areas that see fire frequently may not use shingle siding. Proper maintenance is necessary to keep the shingles from drying out and getting damaged or getting infected by the insects.
- Shake Siding
The shakes look like the shingles, only that they are thicker and more durable. The wooden blocks or the bolts which they are cut from are sometimes hand-sawn. The individual shakes come in 16, 18, or 24-inch length.
The shakes are attached to the sheathing, starting at the wall bottom. It is usually available in cedar and redwood. It also has a rustic appearance. Before you install shake siding, it is vital that you check the building code in your area because some building codes prohibit them, citing the risks of fire.
- Tongue-and-groove Siding
Tongue-and-groove siding can be installed in any direction; either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. It comes in rough cut or smooth cut. It is made with either clear wood or knotty pines. A single plank is milled with a groove on one long edge and a corresponding tongue on the other long edge. The tongue-and-groove planks interlock to form a smooth surface.
