Installing Wood Siding

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Installing Wood Siding

By Tim Carter
©1993-2009 Tim Carter

Summary: Wood siding has been used on houses for hundreds of years. Engineered wood siding is an improvement on traditional siding as it allows us to make the most of our natural resources. If you want the best exterior wood siding, look for wood that contains natural preservatives and has vertical grain. Western cedar is a great wood siding species.

DEAR TIM: The house I grew up in had traditional wood lap siding. It seemed to wear like iron and it has a fantastic traditional look and feel. I would like to install some on a new home and wonder if it is still available and what is the best way to install it. Perhaps the biggest question is how do I make sure that paint will never peel or blister on this new wood siding? Phoebe H., Palo Alto, CA

DEAR PHOEBE: You know what they say don’t you? Imitation is the highest form of flattery. It seems like all of the non-wood siding products for years have copied the lap wood siding look. Aluminum, fiber cement and vinyl siding have had imitation lap sidings for years. This tells you that not only is the wood siding a timeless material, the lap siding look is perhaps the most popular. My wife and I love the real lap wood siding on our own home.

Lap wood siding is still available but you have to be sure you buy the right one. I prefer wood products that include preservatives injected by Mother Nature. Cedar and redwood are two such sidings. Both of these wood species have a considerable amount of natural preservatives. You may find other soft or hardwood siding materials, but only buy them if you can be sure they have been treated against wood rot.

Installing wood siding takes time and is not hard to do. Note the painted ends of the pieces behind my head. Each end is painted before the siding is nailed to the wall. PHOTO BY: Kathy Carter

Be sure to discuss wood grain orientation with the siding salesperson. The best wood siding has vertical grain. Less expensive wood sidings will sport flat grain. You can easily tell a vertical grain wood siding if you look at a freshly cut end. If you see ten, twenty or even 50 of the dark tree rings on the cut edge, the siding is indeed vertical grain. Flat grain wood siding may only have one, two or three dark tree rings visible on the end of a piece of siding. The vertical grain wood siding is more stable and the grain will not raise on the flat surface that you see once it is installed.

Before you even think of nailing up your first piece of siding, there is a critical step you must follow. The wood siding needs to be primed on both sides and all edges before it is installed. Furthermore, each time you cut a piece of siding and are sure it is the correct length, those exposed cut ends must be painted before the siding is nailed to the wall. These critical painting steps help ensure the finish coat of paint will never peel or blister. I feel the best finish paint to use is one that is a blend of acrylic and urethane resins.

If the back and edges of the wood siding are not painted and water soaks into the wood, paint failure is an almost certainty. The water in the wood wants to get back into the atmosphere and it works its way to the front surface of the siding. Once there, warmth, wind and direct sunlight cause the water in the siding to form a vapor which can actually create a real blister in the finish paint. If you paint the back and edges of the siding, water can’t get into the wood in the first place.

The sides of the house must also be covered with a water barrier such as traditional asphalt-saturated felt paper or some of the modern synthetic fiber woven water and air barriers. You must use metal flashings and special drip caps moldings above horizontal trim boards, windows, doors and any other dissimilar material other than the siding. The flashings and drip caps help direct water away from the siding and prevent water from getting behind the siding or any trim boards used with the siding.

Be sure the first piece of wood siding or the lowest wood trim board laps over your foundation at least one inch. Water is your worst enemy and you want to ensure that water gets away from the siding and foundation of your home as quickly as possible. Follow all building codes with respect to the height above grade where the siding must start. Not all codes are the same, but I would not have the wood siding any closer to the soil than six inches. The greater the distance between the soil and the first piece of wood the better. If you can adjust your foundation height so there is a ten or twelve-inch space between wood and soil, do so.

Here is the finished product. Isn’t this a handsome garden shed? The wood siding and all trim details match my house perfectly. PHOTO BY: Tim Carter

The nails you use for wood siding are very important. The best nails are specific siding nails which have very blunt points and are made from stainless steel. These nails also have stacked rings on the shank of the nail for extra gripping power. Siding nails often have smaller heads as well so they are not that obvious if you install them flush with the surface of the wood siding. On painted siding, I always countersink the nail and fill the resulting hole with exterior spackling compound.

To make sure the wood siding does not fall off the wall over time, be sure the nails used are long enough. The nail must pass through the siding, then pass through any sheathing such as plywood, foam board or oriented strand board and finally into a wood wall stud. The nail needs to penetrate the wood stud at least one and one-quarter inch. Do the math and you will discover it is best to use a nail that is 2.5 inches long.

April 15, 2009 No Comments

PONDEROSA PINE

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Ponderosa Pine

from WWPA’s Ponderosa Pine Species Facts
published August, 1995
©1995 Western Wood Products Association

Quick Index

Forest range, growth habits
Grading
Characteristics
Factory and Shop products
Treated products

Forestry

Range – Ponderosa Pine is one of America’s abundant tree species, covering approximately 27 million acres of land. Stands can be found from Canada to Mexico and from the Pacific Coast eastward to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Its growth range covers an area encompassing more than 35 percent of the total acreage of the U.S.

California, Oregon and Washington account for a major share of the annual harvest. Arizona and South Dakota are also important producing areas with lesser amounts coming from Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah and New Mexico.

Growth Habits – Ponderosa Pine trees average 100′ to 160′ in height, with some exceeding 180′. The trees range from 2-4′ in diameter, with the rate of growth depending upon altitude, soil, temperature and rainfall.

Mature Ponderosa Pines can be easily identified by their distinctive orange-brown bark which is arranged in large plates. The dark yellow-green needles are 5-10″ long and grow in clusters of three. The cones, similar in color to the bark, are 3-6″ long and 2-4″ in diameter. Seeds are 5/16-3/8″ long with a 3/4-1″ wing.

In pure, or nearly pure, stands of Ponderosa Pine there is a standing inventory of approximately 188 billion board feet of lumber; in mixed stands there are additional billions of board feet in unmeasured inventory. Most Ponderosa trees grow, mature and survive for about 125 years before they are lost to natural causes such as rot, insect damage, fires or wind throw. Occasionally, a lone specimen will survive for nearly 200 years. Their typical site is on semi-arid plateaus and slopes, often surrounded by juniper and sage.

Ponderosa Pine forests are usually selectively harvested rather than clear cut. This method of logging removes only the mature trees and leaves the other trees to re-seed and mature. Selective harvesting often makes it difficult to identify a recently logged stand.

Ponderosa Pine (pinus ponderosa) is one of the Western pine species that includes Idaho White Pine (pinus monticola), Sugar Pine (pinus lambertiana) and Lodgepole Pine (pinus contorta). The Western pines are distinct from the Southern Yellow pines which are denser and pitchier, with widely different characteristics and uses.

Production

The annual production of Ponderosa Pine ranks third in volume after Douglas Fir and Hem-Fir (the two species preferred for structural framing), but second in total value. California and Oregon are the leading suppliers of Ponderosa Pine.

Ponderosa Pine is also sold in export markets, with Mexico the largest foreign customer, followed by Canada, China and Japan. The applications for Ponderosa Pine abroad are very similar to those in the United States.

Manufacturing

Seasoning – All Ponderosa Pine is dried before surfacing to assure uniformity of the finished size. It is seasoned in temperature and humidity-controlled dry kilns or stacked and air-dried until the moisture content reaches the desired level–from 12 to 19 percent.

As with other pines, Ponderosa can be subject to blue stain if a felled tree or green lumber becomes too warm before it is dried. Blue stain does not affect strength and is admissible in some of the lower grades. It can be hidden with paint or enhanced with clear finishes depending on user preference.

Shipping – Ponderosa Pine is usually milled and shipped as a single species and can be specified and bought as such. However, it is sometimes mixed with other species of similar design characteristics, such as ponderosa Pine-Sugar Pine, or Ponderosa Pine-Lodgepole Pine. It is also marketed under the name “White Woods”, which can include a mix of Engelmann Spruce, True Firs, Hemlock and any of the other pines.

Ponderosa Pine Grading & Quality Control

Grading – Lumber Grading Rules assure users of Ponderosa Pine and other softwoods consistent standards of quality, regardless of which mill produces the lumber.

In the 12 western states, the primary growth area for Ponderosa Pine, most pine production is graded under the supervision of Certified Inspectors from the Western Wood Products Association (WWPA), a grading and quality control agency. The most widely produced grades are Selects, Commons and Factory lumber.

Appearance Grades – Ponderosa Pine Boards are graded primarily on appearance for a multitude of applications. There are three grades of Selects and five grades of Commons(WWPA Rules) and there are also Alternate Board grades available (West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau Rules).

Structural Grades – Ponderosa Pine structural grades are used where light to moderate strength levels are required. The 2×4 and 2×6 sizes are especially popular as decking material, once the lumber has been pressure treated with preservatives for outdoor uses.

Factory Grades – Factory and Shop grade lumber products are intended specifically for manufacturing. The grades have evolved on the basis of millwork cutting sizes and are defined by the number of clear standard size cuttings which can be obtained by ripping and cross cutting the various grades.

Characteristics & Best Uses

Ponderosa Pine has a minimal amount of reddish-brown heartwood and an exceptionally wide sapwood which is honey-toned or straw-like in color. It has a straight, uniform grain which machines to a clear, smooth surface. When freshly sawn or surfaced, its pleasant smell is reminiscent of the forests where it grows. Ponderosa Pine is often specified when appearance rather than strength is of primary importance.

Dimensional Stability – All woods shrink and swell to some degree as their moisture content fluctuates with atmospheric conditions. However, Ponderosa is relatively unaffected by changes in humidity after drying, making it valuable for work that requires close-fitting joints. It has a uniform cell structure and shrinks only a moderate amount, in comparison to other softwood species. It seasons beautifully with minimal splitting, cupping, or warping.

Residential Construction – Appropriate applications for Ponderosa Pine include light framing, spaced sheathing, floor and roof decking. As a treated product, it is superb for decks and other outdoor projects. Although it is not as strong as some of the heavier, denser softwoods, Ponderosa’s combination of dimensional stability, strength and workability is well adapted to most light framing applications including joists, studs, rafters, plates and soffits. The wood resists splitting when nailed which allows for the use of larger nails and increases nail rentention.

Traditional outlets, such as retail lumber yards and most home improvement centers, usually carry and extensive inventory of Ponderosa Pine products. Both amateur and professional remodelers also find many applications for Ponderosa in home repairs, paneling, decks, renovation, retrofitting and room additions.

Factory and Shop Products – Ponderosa Pine is well suited for remanufacturing which requires clear, splinter-free wood, with a minimum of knots, resin and other unwanted characteristics. The large trees include substantial volumes of virtually clear sapwood with relatively few, widely-spaced knots. Shop and Factory lumber is graded to yield standard cuttings of clear material suitable for fabrication. Such wood is selected to be almost completely free from pitch and resin pockets, has an even grain and is dimensionally stable. Ponderosa also ranks moderately high for ease of gluing and is used for all types of products where glued-up construction is required.

The species is prized for moulding and for doors, windows, frames and drawers where durability under movement is essential. It has the ability to withstand scuffs, shocks and jars without spliting, which makes it the premier wood for these and other applications such as sashes, jambs, shutters, screens, columns, stairwork and fascia.

Paneling – Pine paneling is often associated with Early American decor in kitchens, family rooms, dens and bedrooms. However, new finishing techniques and patterns make it appropriate for contemporary or traditional settings.

Many patterns are reversible, offering a choice of pattern or surface finish in a single panel. However, it’s important to remember that paneling boards are inspected and graded on the patterned or face side; the back or reverse side may have characteristics which would make it a lower grade, but desirable for a specific design effect.

Most lumber dealers carry a limited selection of paneling patterns in stock, but can special order any of the standard patterns. Some dealers will arrange to have a unique pattern custom milled.

Woodworking and Furniture – Many of the properties that make Ponderosa Pine a first choice for paneling also put it at the top of the list for furniture and architectural woodwork such as built-in bookcases, benches, cupboards, desks and kitchen cabinets.

Cabinetmakers and woodworkers appreciate the wood’s uniform cell structure, scarcity of resin pockets, and resistance to splitting. Finished parts fit together snugly without binding. The lumber is easy to work with either hand or machine tools and converts readily into fine mouldings and cabinet work.

In the last few years there has been a resurgence in the popularity of pine furniture–antique pieces, new pieces from old pine and new pieces from new lumber. Honey-toned Ponderosa Pine is a natural accompaniment to the country look, while simply-styled bleached pine is appearing with increasing frequency in contemporary furnishings. Ponderosa Pine furniture is available both finished and unfinished, in a variety of styles and qualities.

Finishing – Ponderosa Pine takes most finishes beautifully, including paint, stain, lacquer and varnish. Unlike some of the heavier woods, paints and stains do not raise the grain; however, knots should be sealed before painting to prevent them from bleeding through the finished surface.

Treated Products for Outdoor Projects – The use of treated Ponderosa Pine continues to increase particularly in the western and upper mid-western parts of the country. It can be used for fences, planters, storage sheds, play structures, decking, deck railings, benches and other outdoor projects.

The large proportion of sapwood in Ponderosa makes it well suited to pressure treating because the preservatives can penetrate the sapwood cells deeply and uniformly. Only seasoned (dried) lumber is used in the treating process and after treatment, the wood should be allowed to reach equilibrium moisture content with the surrounding atmosphere before it is installed in its permanent location. The quality-control mark, shown right, should appear on treated lumber.

Ponderosa Pine can be treated for above-ground or in-ground contact, and unlike some softwoods, it can be pressure treated for in-ground use without incising (perforating) the wood. The waterborne preservatives leave a clean, dry, odorless surface ready to be painted or stained. The treated product holds up well in storage, making it easy to yard for distributors and retailers, which in turn, makes it readily and widely available.

In addition to the standard dimensions, treated Ponderosa Pine is also available in two WWPA radius-edged decking grades, Patio I and II, which are milled expressly for use as outdoor decking.

The American Wood Preservers Association (AWPA) provides treating standards and retention levels for a number of preservative and fire-retardant chemicals. All pressure-treated wood should bear the mark of a quality control agency approved by the American Lumber Standard Committee. Chemical retention is stated in terms of the weight of the chemical retained (in pounds) per cubic foot (pcf) of wood after treatment; the larger the number, the more chemical retained.

For more information refer to the Western Wood Preservers Institute’s brochure Guide to the Characteristics, Uses and Specifications of Pressure Treated Wood.

Industrial Uses – Industrial uses for Ponderosa Pine include pallets, concrete forms, crates and boxes, dunnage, hives, partitions and foundry patterns. It is also used for a wide variety of wood packaging and novelty items such as boats, wagons, toys, window shade slats, rat and mouse traps.

Additional Information

For additional information on grades, design values and spans, refer to WWPA’s Product Use Manual. For additional four-color pictures of Western lumber in a variety of species and grades, refer to the following Western Wood Species books:

Volume 1: Dimension Lumber
Volume 2: Selects-Finish/Commons-Boards
Volume 3: Factory Lumber

For additional information on WWPA pattern options, in profile, refer to WWPA’s Standard Patterns.

For additional information on treated lumber, contact the Western Wood Preservers Institute.

Quality control

The WWPA grademark identifies Western Lumber products backed with assurances for quality, performance and technical support. WWPA maintains a team of lumber inspectors throughout the Western region to monitor the grading and quality control of Western Lumber products from WWPA Member mills, ensuring products consistently meet grade specifications. Additionally, WWPA has technical experts on staff with training and work experience in design, engineering, lumber specifications, code conformance, construction, manufacturing, wood technology and forestry. From the Association’s headquarters, these experts offer technical assistance in all aspects of Western Lumber end use for WWPA Member company products.

To order a full-color version of this publication, complete with photos and examples of grades, or any other WWPA title referred in this text, go to the WWPA Publications

For a list of WWPA Member mills that produce Ponderosa Pine lumber products, go to the WWPA Members section.

2008 © Copyright Canadian Lumbermen’s Association.
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April 5, 2009 No Comments

Sustainable Forest Management

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Key Facts on Sustainable Forestry in Canada

Size
About half of Canada’s land mass is covered by forest, that is approximately 417 million hectares. Only ¼ of Canada’s forests are dedicated to forest management (119 million hectares), the remainder, for example, is either protected from harvesting, is of a non-commercial quality, or is commercial but not yet accessed or allocated.

Ownership
94% percent of Canada’s forests are publicly owned, while the remaining 6% is private property belonging to more than 425,000 landowners.

Harvest Levels
Canada harvests less than ½ of 1% of its commercial forest area each year, or ¼ of 1% of its total forest area. Moreover, it grows twice as much timber as it harvests. About ½ of the Canadian forest will NEVER be harvested. That never-to-be-logged Canadian forest is larger than California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana combined.

Fire, Insects & Disease
Did you know that Canada harvests less of its commercial forest each year (0.4%) than is taken by fire, insects and disease (0.5%).

Regeneration
By law all forests harvested on Canada’s public lands must be replaced. . More than half of the area harvested in Canada is left to regenerate naturally. Many tree species can reestablish themselves on a site without planting or seeding. These natural mechanisms include seeding from the adjacent forest, suckering of stumps and roots, and growth of young trees remaining on the harvested area. In summary, regeneration is accomplished by natural regeneration (53%), planting (43%), and aerial seeding (4%).
An Abundant and Growing Forest
The area of trees growing in Canada is growing not shrinking. In fact, during the 5 year period, 1990-1995, the United Nations FAO estimated a net increase of 4% in the area of trees growing in Canada’s commercial forests.
Helping Our Climate
Trees are living plants that ‘breathe’ to help them grow. As they breathe, they remove unwanted carbon dioxide from the air – a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming – and replace it with life sustaining oxygen.
Park System
Canada is the world leader in terms of area dedicated to its national and provincial park system for the use and enjoyment of Canadians and citizens around the world. Its national and provincial parks alone occupy some 56.8 million hectares. Compare that to the area of forests managed primarily for wood production in Canada – 119 million hectares – and one can quickly see that Canada’s forests are maintained for a variety of values and uses.
Original Forest Cover
Almost half of the Earth’s original forest cover is gone, much of it destroyed within the past three decades. In contrast, Canada has maintained over 90% of its forest cover and it has done so while being one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality forest products.
Forest Certification
Certification provides proof that forests are being managed by an independent 3rd party audit. Currently, if including CSA, SFI, FSC and ISO 14001 certifications, Canada has certifications covering some 115 million hectares of forest land- the largest certified forest area in the world! If however, one considers only those certifications to forestry-specific standards such as CSA, SFI, FSC, Canada has over 25 million hectares of forest land certified – of which 1 million is certified to FSC (see next bullet). However, the area of certifications to forestry-specific standards (CSA, SFI, FSC) is scheduled to grow considerably by 2006 given a new commitment by the Board of FPAC. It is also important to remember that the vast majority of wood coming from Canada’s forests are well-managed, certified or not. For more information on the forestry specific standards noted above or on forest management certification status in Canada, visit www.CertificationCanada.org.

FSC Forest Certification
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is not practical for small 10-100 acre parcels of land which are the primary source of high value hardwood in Canada. Costs to implement and maintain an FSC certification would be higher than the value of product derived. To be brief, FSC on small private lands managed for timber is conceptually unworkable in Canada. This point is made given that many environmental organizations lobby purchasers of Canadian forest products to specify FSC certified wood – this is an unrealistic demand for most small private woodlots in Canada. It should also be noted that even large scale commercial forestry operations in Canada for the most part are not pursuing FSC certifications for a variety of reasons. To date, 1 million of 25 million hectares of certified forest land in Canada is certified to the FSC Principles.

Key Facts on Sustainable Forest Products in Canada

What are the ATHENA™ Sustainable Materials Institute’s Life Cycle Facts in Support of Wood over Competing Products?

Total energy use: The wood building used the least energy. The concrete option required 1.7 times the energy for wood. The steel option required 2.4 times the energy. Wood simply does not require much energy to manufacture.

Greenhouse gases: The wood building had the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. The steel building generated 1.45 times and the concrete building generated 1.81 times the greenhouse gases for wood.

Air pollution: The wood design had the lowest air pollution index. The steel building produced 1.42 times and the concrete building produced 1.67 times the air pollution index.

Solid waste: The wood design had the lowest solid waste. This takes into account both manufacturing and on-site construction waste. Steel produced 1.36 times and the concrete produced 1.96 times the solid waste. This means there is virtually no waste during the manufacturing process and the use of engineered wood products has radically reduced the on-site construction waste.

Ecological Resource Use: The wood design had the lowest ecological resource use index. Steel was 1.16 times and concrete was 1.97 times the index for wood. This factor compares the long-term effects of resource extraction. Although forestry affects a large area, reforestation means the effects are short term. Sustainable forest management practices help ensure that disruption is minimized.

Conclusion: The office building built with wood had lower environmental impact for energy use, greenhouse gases, air and water pollution and ecological resource extraction than the steel or concrete building. A similar case study of residential buildings (comparing wood, steel and concrete construction) produced similar findings in terms of wood’s superior environmental performance.

What are some of the key sustainable wood product messages that the Wood Promotion Network?

N. America’s forests are abundant and growing, based on satellite imagery.

Wood is the best insulator against heat and cold, which makes it the most energy efficient material that can help keep home energy bills in check.

Regardless of market volatility, wood is the most affordable building material you can use. Framing an average 3-bedroom home can cost up to 30% less with wood versus other framing materials.

New innovations in engineered wood products and pre-made panels and trusses help builders and homeowners keep framing costs down.

The production and use of wood is easier on the environment than any other building material. It takes less non-renewable fossil fuels and less energy to produce wood framing materials than alternative framing materials.

Wood is the world’s only 100% renewable building material and is manufactured with the organic power of solar energy.

Wood is the only major building material that is renewable. Canada’s sustainably managed forests ensure that there is an ample supply. New manufacturing technology allows every part of the tree to be used so that nothing is wasted. Advanced engineered wood products make use of fast growing species to produce high strength products without requiring large dimension timbers to meet building needs.

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April 4, 2009 No Comments

NEW: CEDAR PANELS

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Softwood Forest Products Buyer

Feature Story

COLUMBIA CEDAR Soars To New Horizons

By Merry Schmidt

Panel Crafters, Inc., a sister company to Lazy S Lumber Inc. in Beavercreek,Ore., and Columbia Cedar Inc. in Kettle Falls, Wash., recently began production of their new line of Cedar Craft – Cedar Siding panels.

Kettle Falls, Wash.—Columbia Cedar Inc., headquartered here, and Lazy S Lumber Inc., located in Beavercreek, Ore., have long been known as a leading contender for their innovation and progressive approach in the Cedar lumber industry.

“In spite of tightening supply issues throughout the Northwest, the companies continue to find ways to procure raw product while installing more efficient equipment to further enhance the usage of the raw material that is delivered to the mills,” said Ralph Schmidt, who along with his wife, Merry, own both Columbia Cedar and Lazy S. “It’s a philosophy we’ve had here from day one.”

Columbia Cedar recently completed a new office designed by Mark Schmidt, Ralph’s brother, with interior hardwood panels of cherry, Brazilian rosewood and calico hickory supplied by Panel Crafters. “This is a much needed new office that may eventually become our ‘world headquarters’,” the Schmidts said. “We have plans for an asphalted parking area and a new lunchroom.”

Columbia Cedar also recently completed a new debarker and storage building as stage one in retooling for more efficiency. “Efficiently using the resource is crucial in staying competitive in this market,” Ralph said.

Ralph and Merry Schmidt recently relocated to Eagle Point, Ore., to spend more time at Panel Crafters, but “commute” between Columbia Cedar and Lazy S to provide direction and “problem solving 101” to the companies. “Our customers have

Bob Wright is the quality control manager and assistant mill manager for Columbia Cedar.

come to depend on and expect the type of products and service that we provide on an ongoing basis,” Ralph said. “We thrive on the challenge that it is to continually stay fresh and innovative beyond just the next six months or even a year. We are optimistic for the future in this industry where many are pulling out.”
Panel Crafters Inc. is located in White City, Ore., near Medford. This facility is a hardwood panel lay-up plant that specializes in hardwood veneers of all species and grades and can produce an industry leading special 5’ x 8’ sizing as well as the standard 4’ x 8’. In June 2008, Panel Crafters introduced two new lines of APA (American Plywood Assoc.) T1-11 sidings. Cedar Craft is a Western Red Cedar panel veneer on exterior grade plywood for home siding. It has all the beautiful characteristics of Western Red Cedar with an economical price. The other is an okoumé, an African hardwood, panel that has a clear (no knots) face and is used for siding as well as soffit materials.
“We select the logs for peeling from Columbia Cedar, and ship the skins directly from a peeling plant to Panel Crafters, and sales is directed from Lazy S Lumber, enabling the three companies to weave together a very good working team of sales and production staff,” Merry said. “We’ve selected sound, second growth tight knot logs, and shipped those to be peeled and composed, and then bring the skins to Panel Crafters where they are graded, sorted and laid up into the Cedar Craft line of panels,” Ralph said. “So I know the quality of the skins and can assure my customers of the integrity of the panels.”

Steve West is the resource manager for Columbia Cedar and Panel Crafters. He is responsible for buying all of the logs and sorts for Cedar Craft veneer logs.

Ralph added, “What makes Cedar Craft unique is the skins are exactly as nature made them. We don’t cut or blow out the knots and replace them with synthetic putty. We only repair the knots that fall out during the creation of the skins, and lay-up, so the natural look of tight knot Cedar is graded into our product line.

“The added rough saw will texture and pattern the panels exactly as specified by the APA,” he said. “We’ve worked very closely with them to assure our customers are getting a product they are familiar with in construction, but unique and natural in appearance.”

Ralph added, “To add versatility to our product lines, we are also providing an okoumé faced line we call Craftsman. It’s an A-grade okoumé panel that will have the same textured finish as the Cedar Craft panels, but is a true clear, light wood color.”

Nice and Knotty

Chris Retherford, sales manager at Columbia Cedar, said, “Some of our customers have been misled to believe that okoumé is Cedar. I think it’s important to know the difference. Okoumé is an African hardwood and is also known as gaboon. It has a light salmon to tan color, and in veneers it rarely has knots. Our Cedar Craft panels are authentic Western Red Cedar, from our own Cedar logs, that have all the qualities and appearance of natural Cedar.”
Ralph said, “I’ve been in the Cedar business for more than 35 years, and have on my team the most knowledgeable group of guys in the business selling. For the Cedar and okoumé panels, call Todd Fox, Dave Duncan or Larry Petree at Lazy S Lumber, or Chris Retherford at Columbia Cedar. At Panel Crafters, the best guys in the business are Mike Palmerton who is

The Cedar Craft product line has earned the APA grade stamp for T1-11 sidings and is manufactured to APA (American Plywood Association) 303 sidings specifications.

our sales team manager, Tom Overbeck and Paul Kell. These guys have integrity and do their best for our customers in service. They are hardwood specialists and can get the job done.”
Green In Many Colors

Paul Kell, sales at Panel Crafters, said, “Panel Crafters is unique in the panel business, because we offer FSC-certified as well as no added formaldehyde products and can obtain products in ranges that most other suppliers can’t. With our 5-foot wide presses and sanders, we offer product dimensions that save you time and money on both material costs and cut waste that needs to be disposed of after the job is finished. Our versatility allows us to manufacture panels from 3×6 to 5×10 and any dimension in between. Cross grain, book match, slip match or whole piece. We like the ‘out of the norm,’ and can mix those with our standard panels.”
Panel Crafters Inc. is a sister company to Lazy S Lumber Inc. of Beavercreek, Ore., and also to Columbia Cedar Inc. of Kettle Falls, Wash.

The companies are owned and operated by Ralph and Merry Schmidt who at this writing have transferred to Eagle Point, Ore., from their home in Kettle Falls, Wash., to spearhead the Panel Crafters “Cedar Craft” project. “This is what we do,” Merry said. “When we commit to a company, we do what it takes to make it successful so the transfer was easy.”

Panel Crafters’ skins come from selected Cedar logs taken at Columbia Cedar. At Panel Crafters, they are graded, sorted and laid up into the Cedar Craft line of panels.

The Schmidts named their products including Smith River 6 patch clear, Deschutes 6 patch premium knotty, Rogue Valley 18 patch knotty and McKenzie paint grade after the region.

“Ralph and I worked on those names while driving down from Kettle Falls,” Merry said. “The area’s rivers are so beautiful and it was a catchy way to identify our products, with the Deschutes being our favorite because we’ve spent so much time on that river fishing for steelhead. If you’ve ever caught a 12-pound keeper, you’ll know what I’m talking about.”

For more information on Cedar Panels contact Dave Stepro at 775-972-7300.

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April 2, 2009 No Comments

Cedar Grades And Uses

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TIMBER PRODUCTS | GRADES

Clear Grades
Clear cedar has a limited number of natural characteristics and is specified when appearance of the highest quality is desired. Clear grades of timbers are normally supplied green (unseasoned). When required, seasoning is achieved by air-drying.

Knotty Grades
Knotty cedar presents a more rustic appearance and is typically supplied green (unseasoned) in the appearance and structural grades. When required, seasoning is achieved by air-drying except for grades of Light Framing and Structural Joists and Planks which are available kiln-dried.

Surface Textures
Saw Textured The saw textured surface, obtained during the milling process which uses either circular or band saws, is present on all four sides.

Rougher Headed The lumber receives its texture from a milling process which uses roughened planer knives. The rough texture is clearly visible on all four sides.

Surfaced Four Sides (S4S) The smooth surface on all four sides presents a uniformly sized product with a high quality appearance. Sizes from 2×4 (51mm x 102mm) up to 6×6 in. (152mm x 152mm) are generally available. Larger sizes are produced on special orders.

Grade	Description

No. 2 and Better Clear
	This grade should be specified when the finest quality rough lumber is desired. The lumber is sound and well manufactured. Its natural characteristics do not detract from the woods fine appearance. Grading Rule Paragraph Export R List 401
D and Better Clear
	This grade consists of D Clear, C Clear, and B Clear. The C and Better Clear grade offers good appearance in high quality, well manufactured lumber. Suitable for high quality landscape structures and as exposed posts and beams in heavy timber construction. WRCEA members produce this grade without cut-outs. In most cases, this grade is sold with a specified allowance of D grade. D Clear grade permits larger and more numerous natural characteristics which are widely accepted in the construction of outdoor structures. Some pieces of D Clear may require trimming to yield clear lengths for the intended use. Available surfaced or rough textured.
Appearance Knotty
	A non structural product manufactured to meet the appearance requirements of quality projects. This material has highly restricted wane allowances to give well defined corners. Contains no holes or other characteristics. Represents good value for appearance end uses. Available rough sawn or rougher headed in nominal 2″ (51mm) and thicker sizes. Note: Upon request, Appearance Knotty timbers are available with structural grading. Be certain to specify Appearance Knotty structural lumber when strength characteristics are required. Grading Rule Paragraph Proprietary
No. 2 and Better Structural
	Material of this grade is evaluated for structural strength characteristics. The classification includes pieces meeting the grades of Select Structural, No. 1 Structural, and No. 2 Structural. Lumber of this grade is intended for engineered applications where strength is more important than appearance. Available surfaced or rough textured.

April 1, 2009 No Comments

Western Red Cedar For Indoor Use

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INDOOR PRODUCTS | PROPERTIES

Resistance to Decay
Western Red Cedar heartwood is renowned for its high decay-resistance. This natural durability is attributed to the presence of extractives, mainly the thujaplicins, and to a lesser extent, the water-soluble phenolics which are toxic to a number of wood rotting fungi. Western Red Cedar has a durability Class 2 in Europe and Australia, the highest category for durability of any softwood listed.

Dimensional Stability
Western Red Cedar wood has excellent dimensional stability because of its low wood density and low shrinkage factor. A major contributor to this stability is the fact that its moisture content at the fibre saturation point is 18 to 23%, compared to 25 to 30% in most Canadian softwoods. As a result, Western Red Cedar shrinks and swells minimally, displaying only small movements with changes in humidity. Lower absorption of water is a result of the high extractive content blocking absorption sites. This property contributes to Western Red Cedar’s suitability for use in paneling, mouldings and a number of other applications such as saunas where dimensional stability and water repellency is important.

Thermal and Insulating Properties
Western Red Cedar has good insulation value because of its low wood density and coarse texture. It is the best insulator among the most common available softwood species and is far superior to brick, concrete and steel. This property ensures that homes built with Western Red Cedar will be cooler in the heat of summer and warmer in winter as opposed to homes using denser species or man-made products. Western Red Cedar’s ability to dampen vibrations is an important acoustical property which makes it particularly effective as paneling and moulding where it is desirable to reduce or confine ne noise.

Flame Spreading Rate
The flame-spread rating of Western Red Cedar is 67 to 73 (Class II rating) and the smoke developed classification is 98. Both of these are used to regulate the use of materials where potential to generate smoke or smoke control movement is important. Due to its low flame-spread rating, it will perform better than most dense softwoods which have flame-spread ratings around 100. Western Red Cedar has a flame spreading rate and a smoke-developed classification that are considerably below the maximum limits set by most building codes.

Finishing and Workability
The lack of pitch or resinous extractives that are soluble in paint vehicles contributes to Cedar’s good finishing properties. Cedar takes a variety of coatings, paints and stains exceptionally well, particularly when dried and properly primed. Western Red Cedar is among the easiest timbers to work with because of its straight grain and uniform texture. It planes and sands cleanly and, because of its low wood density, requires little energy to saw or otherwise work. Cedar also glues well with a wide range of adhesives and gluing conditions.

March 31, 2009 No Comments

Reasons to pick natural cedar over other types of siding

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BEAUTY
For centuries builders and artisans have valued Western Red Cedar for its natural beauty and durability.

Architectural design – Cedar compliments any architectural design – from turn-of-the-century to contemporary.

Colours – Unfinished cedar has richly textured grain with colours ranging from mellow ambers, reddish cinnamons and rich sienna browns. Its warm coloring is complimented by a uniform, fine-grained texture with a satin luster.

Easy finishing – Because cedar is virtually pitch and resin free, the wood easily accepts a range of finishes, from fine oils and stains, to solid coatings and paint.

Usages – Enhance the beauty and elegance of your home or commerical property with cedar siding, decking, moulding, windows, doors, posts, beams, paneling, outdoor projects, interiors and saunas.

Aroma – Cedar’s unique aroma comes from naturally occurring thujaplicins in its heartwood. These compounds resist moisture and are toxic to decay-causing fungi and insects and preserve the wood to give it long lasting appeal.

Acoustic insulation – Acoustic properties of cedar walls and ceilings provide sound insulation necessary to quieten rooms. Surround yourself in the beauty of cedar.

HISTORY
The hallmark characteristic of Western Red Cedar, its natural durability, has preserved examples of native culture for more than 100 years.
B.C.’s Pacific Coast Aboriginal People
Western Red Cedar, a wood with roots of use that date back centuries to the Native Americans who first named it the “Tree of Life.”

First Uses of Cedar Bark and Logs
Along B.C.’s Pacific Coast, aboriginal people have used cedar bark to make rope, clothing and baskets for thousands of years. The logs are used for a variety of purposes, including canoes, totem poles, masks and long houses. Native Americans would also remove large slabs of outer bark from living trees for roofing materials or cut a rectangular hole into a tree to test its soundness before cutting it for a canoe or totem pole.

Working Together to Preserve Heritage
Trees that have been scarred due to a First Nation’s cultural activity are known as culturally modified trees. Those trees with modifications that pre-date 1846 are considered archeological sites and are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act. Forest companies frequently take steps to help First Nations obtain cedar logs or other species from their harvest for traditional or cultural uses.

March 28, 2009 No Comments

Cedar Sustainability

by admin

03-27-09
Dimensional Stability – Cedar offers low density and shrinkage factors, and exceptional thermal insulation value.

Workability – Cedar is easy to cut, form, glue and finish.

Natural Preservative – Cedar contains natural preservatives that resist moisture, decay and insect damage.

Flame Spread and Smoke Development Ratings – Cedar exceeds safety classifications and does not require preservative treatments.

All-Weather – Cedar is naturally at home in the sun, rain, heat and cold all year round.

Dimensional Stability
Western Red Cedar has twice the stability of most commonly available softwoods. The stability is a result of its low density and shrinkage factors. It lies flat, stays straight, and holds fastenings tightly.

Workability
Western Red Cedar produces long, lightweight lengths of timber with a fine, straight grain and uniform texture that make it easy to cut, saw and nail with common tools. These features also contribute to its ability to be planed to a smooth surface or machined to any pattern. The lack of pitch and resin allows Western Red Cedar to hold glue bonds from a wide range of adhesives and provide a firm base for many types of paints and stains.

Natural Preservative
Western Red Cedar is one of the world’s most durable woods. Natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect damage has long made Western Red Cedar the premier choice for either interior or exterior home use. Cedar fibers in the heartwood contain natural preservatives that are toxic to decay-causing fungi. The two principal extractives that are responsible for the decay resistance are Thujaplicans and water-soluble phenolics. The tree’s ability to produce these extractives increases with age, making the outer regions of heartwood the most durable.

Flame Spread and Smoke Development Ratings
Western Red Cedar has flame spread and smoke development classifications that are superior to the minimums set by most building codes, which permit the use of cedar heartwood without preservative treatments.

All-Weather
Western Red Cedar is one of the few wood species that are naturally at home in the outdoors. Properly finished, Western Red Cedar will last for decades, even in harsh environments. Its natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect damage make it the ideal choice for a surface that is exposed to sun, rain, heat and cold all year round.

March 27, 2009 No Comments

Installing Wood Siding

Ponderosa Pine

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