Natural wood siding is a beautiful and eco-friendly siding option that, in many cases, is fairly easy to install. However, when installing natural wood siding, special attention must be paid to the priming and finishing process. Properly finishing natural wood siding will not only increase the life of the wood but will also bring out its natural beauty.

Marks Lumber manufactures many different circle sawn, Douglas fir sidings including board and batt, shiplap, 105, and waney edge. While each siding is unique in appearance and style, they all require similar steps when it comes to finishing. So we’re diving in and discussing how to finish your siding to ensure a long-lasting, beautiful product. 

Pre-finishing

The first step in protecting your wood siding is pre-finishing. Pre-finishing is an essential step in this process as it serves as a protective barrier for the wood. While it may seem unnecessary to pre-finish the areas of the siding that will not be seen, it is imperative that all edges, sides, and cut ends are pre-finished. Not only does this provide extra protection, helping to avoid cupping and splitting, but it also ensures that unfinished spots will not show through when the wood inevitably shrinks or swells.

It is important to pay attention to the products you choose when pre-finishing. You’ll want to make sure that the pre-finish you choose is compatible with the final coat you plan on using. It is also important to note that water-based finishes can add significant moisture to boards, and lead to swelling. If using this kind of finish, you’ll want to leave time to allow for the siding to re-dry and re-acclimate after pre-finish is applied and before installation.

Finishing

Once the siding is installed, it’s time to move on to finishing. While it may seem like rough-cut lumber would be harder to finish than a smooth product, that isn’t necessarily the case. Rough-cut material actually takes stain better than smooth products and is easy to apply with a brush, sprayer, or roller. Many finishes will have different instructions that will help you get the most out of the product, so it is important to follow the application instructions outlined for the specific finish you choose.

Upkeep

Just because you took the time to properly finish your wood siding doesn’t mean you can skip the maintenance. Washing your wood siding is one of the best things you can do to extend the life of the product and keep it looking nice and new. We recommend using Perma-Chink’s Log Wash once a year to protect and maintain the natural beauty of the wood. 

Natural wood siding is one of the most beautiful siding options available, especially when finished correctly. It’s good to keep in mind that wood is a living product that is going to move and change throughout its lifetime. These changes only add to the character and unique appearance that many people search for in their natural wood siding. 

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