Wood siding adds timeless charm and natural beauty to any building, but with so many options available, how do you choose the right one?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We will discuss:

What are the different types of wood siding?
Styles of wood siding
Best wood siding: Aesthetics
Best wood siding: Durability
Best wood siding: Maintenance
Best wood siding: Cost
Traditional wood siding vs modified wood siding
Modified wood siding: Thermally vs acetylated wood

Now we have established the different types and styles of wood siding, we need to consider the four key attributes: aesthetics, durability, maintenance and cost.

• Aesthetics – how the wood looks, including its natural grain, color options, and how it changes over time.
• Durability – the wood’s ability to withstand environmental factors such as moisture, pests, and UV exposure.
• Maintenance – how much upkeep is required to keep the wood in good condition, including sealing, staining, and painting.
• Cost – the balance between initial price, longevity, and long-term maintenance expenses.

By examining these factors, you can determine the best wood siding that fits your project’s priorities, whether that’s long-term durability, minimal upkeep, or a specific aesthetic.

Traditional Wood Siding vs. Modified Wood Siding

In the search for the best wood siding, the ultimate showdown is between traditional wood siding and modified wood siding. One offers a lower price but potentially shorter lifespan, the other a higher pricetag but with up to five decades of guaranteed performance.

Traditional wood siding, such as Pine, Cedar, and Oak, tends to be more affordable initially but requires regular sealing, staining, or painting to protect against rot, warping, and decay. Over time, maintenance costs add up, and traditional wood siding will likely need replacement sooner than modified alternatives.

Still undecided?

If you have any more questions regarding which is the best wood siding for your project, or need more information about Accoya high-performance wood siding, please contact us.

You may have seen the use of dark external Shou Sugi Ban siding in Japanese architecture in modern and centuries old buildings. This effect is not simply done for aesthetic reasons, it is created by the charring of timbers to increase the stability and durability of the wood. Outstanding stability is something we at Accoya immediately identify with.

The history of Shou Sugi Ban

Shou Sugi Ban, which is also known as “Yakisugi”, is a traditional form of wood preservation which originated in Japan in the 18th Century. Its geographical origins are believed to be in the Sendai region where this unusual and highly attractive charring technique was created to strengthen and protect wood. For such a simple, old and traditional method, it performs incredibly well by today’s standards and used extensively worldwide.

The benefits of Shou Sugi Ban

Burnt wood siding not only looks stylish and contemporary, blackened timber also provides many tangible and important benefits over untreated wood.

• Stability – one of the key benefits of employing the Shou Sugi Ban technique to timber is the increased strength and stability it brings. Burnt wood siding is resistant to twisting, distorting and warping. This makes it an excellent long-term exterior siding material.
• Protection – Japanese burnt wood siding is highly resistant to temperature and moisture. The process of Shou Sugi Ban creates a naturally waterproof surface that is almost impossible to reignite. This dramatically extends the lifespan of the burnt wood siding.
• Preservation – during the charring process, the pores in the timber shrink which reduces their ability to retain water and decay. Pests such as insects and termites feed on mold, but being waterproof, charred wood takes away the food they thrive on.
• Sustainability – Shou Sugi Ban siding is environmentally friendly as it doesn’t contain any chemicals or treatments that are hazardous to the environment.
• Low-maintenance – Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood siding has a prolonged life and needs very little maintenance, especially if the timbers that receive the treatment are Accoya wood which already carry a 50-year guarantee.
• Aesthetics – blackened timber is a highly contemporary look that is proving increasingly popular particularly for exterior timber siding. Its charcoal black tones or contrasts perfectly with almost any colour palette whilst it also emphasizes the natural textural pattern and grain of the wood, Accoya wood in particular.

Woods suitable for Shou Sugi Ban siding

Not all woods are ideal for Shou Sugi Ban treatment. Those that will make good burnt wood siding include Accoya, cedar, pine, spruce and larch timbers. One of the advantages of using charred Accoya wood is that it creates a highly refined and defined pattern in comparison to other wood species.

The traditional Shou Sugi Ban firing process

There are several steps involved in the centuries-old process of creating Japanese burnt wood siding.

First the wood is dried to reduce the moisture content of the wood. This ensures that the wood burns more evenly. Next the surface of the wood needs to be made flat by planing and sanding its surfaces.

To create a very high even temperature and consistent deep charring, one side of the wood is burnt by tying three planks together to effectively form a tall chimney and then lighting a fire below it. The type of wood dictates how long and how intensely the blackened timber is burnt for. The skill to Shou Sugi Ban is in achieving the correct balance of surface protection and retaining structural integrity.

Finally, the charred wood planks are separated and cooled quickly. To finish, the charring can be brushed away using a wire brush before an oil or water-based stain is applied. If used indoors, to an additional fix layer is applied.

Modern uses for Shou Sugi Ban siding

Architects and interior designers worldwide use Japanese burnt wood siding to great effect in various applications both inside and outside of the buildings and homes they create.

In Sweden, architect Abelardo Gonzalez created a new build family home with an entire façade of Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood siding, including across the roof.

An award-winning symbolic memorial monument in Edmonton, Canada, designed by Shape Architecture Inc. and PECHET Studio, is protected from Alberta’s long severe winters by Shou Sugi Ban siding.

Delta Millworks used charred wood to panel the interior walls in the living room of a contemporary residential home based in San Franscisco to dramatic effect.

In Park City, Utah, a modern three-story Passivhaus designed and built by Klima Architecture. Highly sustainable and energy efficient, the house’s exterior is wrapped in Shou Sugi Ban siding to fit with the eco-conscious theme.

LaRue Architects revamped a 1880s townhouse in Austin, Texas into a modern hillside home. The stairwell features burnt wood siding with a custom grey finish.

In the Netherlands, the owners of a beautiful private residence chose a striking facade of Shou Sugi Ban blackened timber for their garage and contrasted it with a natural wood garage door.

The last word on Shou Sugi Ban

If you are looking for an unusual, dramatic and contemporary siding material that offers excellent protection, is sustainable and easy to maintain, you should consider Shou Sugi Ban Japanese burnt wood siding. Accoya offers a range of highly durable, stable and beautiful charred timber siding which you can explore at your leisure.

What do you know about thermally modified wood?

With so many types of wood available, each crafted for specific purposes, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Not all of them are simple untreated softwood and hardwood lumber. Some of them have been specially modified to enhance their durability, stability or appearance. One of these modified lumber types is called thermally modified wood. But what exactly is thermally modified wood? What are the pros and cons of thermally modified wood decking and thermally modified wood siding? Are there any particular problems specific to thermally modified wood and how much does it cost? Let’s break it down and get to the heart of the matter.

What is thermally modified wood?

As the name suggests, this is a process that uses heat to change the wood. Thermal modification involves heating wood in a controlled environment to high temperatures of approximately 320-450°F degrees C with very little or no oxygen. This process completely transforms the wood’s chemical structure by breaking down hemicellulose and extracting moisture. Hemicellulose is something that feeds fungi that causes decay in wood.

What does thermal modification do to wood?

Thermal modification increases the durability of softwood by making it more resistant to decay, insects and fungi. Thermally modified wood is also more stable than traditional softwoods because after thermal modification, the wood absorbs less moisture, so it doesn’t swell, warp or shrink like untreated wood might. This makes it a good choice for high-temperature spaces like saunas and also in outdoor and humid environments.

A side effect of thermal modification is that it turns the wood richer and darker in tone. While initially thermally modified wood has a richer and darker color, over time, when exposed to UV rays, it will turn a silver-grey patina, just like untreated woods. To maintain the darker color, a UV-protective finish will need to be applied regularly.

Thermally modified wood decking

Thermally modified wood has many uses. It is extensively used for external decking due to its improved stability, durability and increased resistance to moisture, warping and swelling. Also, being exposed outside, often under harsh conditions, the thermal modification process makes it more resistant to the elements, insects, water ingress and rotting. Thermally modified decking is eco-friendly as only heat and steam is used in the modification process.

Thermally modified wood problems

Thermally modified wood does however come with a few drawbacks. Despite being stronger and more durable than untreated softwoods, thermally modified wood problems include:

• In comparison to Accoya, thermally modified wood can be brittle and weak, meaning it may not be strong enough for higher load-bearing use.
• Moisture can still be absorbed into the wood which, over time, can cause splitting and cracking.
• The darker tone created by the thermal modification process can actually fade in time meaning a UV protective treatment will be needed for exterior applications.

Thermally modified wood price

Budget often comes into play when specifying building materials, especially lumber, so the thermally modified wood price point is important. All said and done, is thermally modified wood a cost-conscious value choice? The answer is that everything is relative. Untreated softwood is cheaper than thermally modified wood, however, softwood doesn’t have the strength and durability. Does that make thermally modified wood the ideal choice? To make the best choice, you need to consider performance, maintenance, and long-term value. That’s why Accoya deserves a spot in the comparison.

What is Accoya?

Accoya is a modified wood, but instead of undergoing thermal modification, it is transformed through a unique acetylation process. This process alters the wood at a molecular level, enhancing its durability and stability and maintaining its natural beauty, strength and character. Made from fast-growing, certified sustainable timber, Accoya is one of the few building materials to achieve Cradle to Cradle Gold certification, with a Platinum rating in material health.

Although technically a chemically modified wood, Accoya is non-toxic, as its process increases the naturally occurring levels of acetic anhydride, rather than introducing harmful substances. The result is a high-performance wood with superior dimensional stability and durability, surpassing thermally modified wood alternatives.

Thermally modified wood vs Accoya

Whilst Accoya is more premium in price, when you put thermally modified wood vs Accoya head-to-head, Accoya does has several significant advantages:

•  Accoya acetylated wood has far superior, strength, durability and long-term value and it is backed by an unrivalled 50-year above ground warranty for wood durability.
• Compared to thermally modified wood, Accoya offers exceptional stability with minimal shrinking, swelling or warping – ensuring that boards arrive straight and stay straight.
• Accoya performs highly in wet conditions and is ideal for decking, siding, windows, doors and even swimming pools.
• Accoya is manufactured in the United States and is sustainable with FSC® Accreditation and Cradle to Cradle Gold certification™. It is also the only construction material in the world to achieve C2C Platinum certification™ for Material Health.
• Tests with thermogram images showed that Accoya wooden decks stay pleasantly cool, even on the hottest days. Accoya performed significantly better than comparable decking materials.

Accoya or Thermal Modification? The Smart Choice is Yours

You have heard the pros and cons of thermally modified wood vs Accoya, but ultimately, you need to make the choice between higher performance, longevity, sustainability and durability vs good performance, shorter lifespan and a lower price.

To see Accoya in real-life, visit a location near you.

Vinyl siding or wood siding – which side should you take?

Siding is a protective skin that protects your home from the elements including harsh UV rays, rain, snow, and wind. But that is only half of the story. Siding can also add to the aesthetic value of your home and make your property more attractive and desirable to potential buyers. So, it can be an investment that can add tremendous value, too. With two key types of siding on the market – vinyl siding and wood siding – if you are intending to install siding, you have an important decision to make: vinyl siding vs wood siding? It’s a straight choice, but is it a straightforward one? Let’s explore both options.

What is vinyl siding and wood siding?

Siding, whether vinyl or wood, is available in a variety of different styles and grades, but essentially, it is usually individual pieces of wood or vinyl that clad the side of a building to offer protection and improve its appearance. There are numerous different styles of siding which you can use to achieve a particular look.

Vinyl Siding Styles

• Dutch Lap – for a traditional or colonial style similar to clapboard siding but with a decorative groove.
• Log Cabin – imitation log siding which has a rounded profile to recreate a rustic cabin-style.
• Shake & Shingle – designed to mimic cedar shingles or shakes for a coastal, Cape Cod or craftsman look.
• Vertical – tall vertical “board and batten” style siding for a striking modern or farmhouse design aesthetic.
• Insulated – available in a variety of styles, it has built-in foam insulation to improve energy efficiency.

Wood Siding Styles

• Clapboard – horizontal overlapping planks that can be painted or stained to create a traditional, colonial, Cape Cod, or farmhouse style.
• Cedar Shingles – small, square rectangular pieces of wood for a coastal, cottage, or craftsman style.
• Log Siding – recreates the look of a cozy log cabin or rustic mountain lodge.
• Board & Batten – this vertical siding of boards and narrow strips creates a striking contemporary look.
• Tongue & Groove – available smooth or beveled and mounted vertically or horizontally, these interlocking wood boards create a seamless design.

Side by side, how do vinyl and wood siding look?

The aesthetic appeal of siding differs according to whether you choose wood or vinyl. If you want natural beauty, then wood siding is the obvious choice, also it can be painted or stained in any color you wish. Wood siding fades over time, which can be an attractive natural look, however, if painted or stained, it could need repainting or restaining after several years. If not maintained properly, wood siding could warp or split.

Vinyl siding is quite different. Whilst it can mimic the look of wood, shingles and other textures, it can look artificial. It tends to work better for more modern properties, and whilst it doesn’t need repainting, it’s not easy to change the colour if you wanted to refinish or repaint it.

How long does vinyl siding last vs wood siding?

When weighing up vinyl siding vs wood siding, maintenance and upkeep need to be carefully considered. How long does vinyl siding last is an obvious question. Vinyl siding is relatively low maintenance, fade-resistant, doesn’t attract insects and requires occasional washing with soapy water. The downsides are it can crack or warp in extremes of temperature and if you live in a humid area, moisture can get trapped and mold can develop.

Depending on the type of wood it is made of, wood siding may need repainting or treating to protect from termites, moisture and mold every 5-7years. Sealing the wood also protects against cracking and warping. The big advantage of wood siding though is that it is easily repairable and if you want a new look, you can paint or stain it a different color. If you choose Accoya, a modified wood, as your siding, it will out-perform even the most durable tropical hardwood siding and be covered by an industry-leading warranty of up to 50 years.

How about installation?

If you are a skilled DIYer and have some experience of carpentry, there’s nothing to stop you installing wood siding. Yes, it does require precise cutting, nailing, and sealing, but the end result can look stunning. You can of course hire a professional carpenter to clad your home with wood siding for you. Vinyl siding is lightweight, flexible, and comes as interlocking panels. It does require proper tools and expert knowledge to fit. So, unless you are an advanced DIYer, we advise a professional installer to do the job which will avoid gaps or inadequate sealing that could lead to damage by water.

Wood siding vs vinyl siding

Cost is a factor when it comes to choosing between siding types. Vinyl siding prices are typically lower than wood siding, however, you have to look at the wider picture. If you want siding that looks natural, authentic, is customizable, and will add more value to your property, then investing in wood siding is the answer. If budget is top of your agenda along with low maintenance, then vinyl siding, whilst looking artificial, could be for you. The key thing to consider is the long-term cost, which is why Accoya modified wood, that has a significantly longer lifespan that traditional wood siding and a warranty to back it up, can add beauty and value to a property.

Is wood siding better than vinyl?

Wood siding and vinyl siding both have their own individual strengths, but one final thing you need to consider, especially in today’s changing climate, is sustainability. Wood siding and vinyl siding have quite different environmental impacts.

Wood siding is biodegradable, renewable, recyclable and, if FSC-certified, can be sustainably harvested and responsibly sourced. Vinyl siding, however, is made from plastic-based PVC that is non-biodegradable and tricky to recycle. Also, if in a fire, harmful chemicals in vinyl siding can produce toxic fumes.

The verdict

To summarize, if you want premium authentic siding with a natural look that can be re-painted or re-stained to whatever color you desire or keeping it natural to lower maintenance requirements, invest in wood siding that will add value. Working to a tight budget? Vinyl siding is cheaper and lower maintenance but looks artificial and won’t add anywhere near as much value to your home.

For more information, visit our siding page or contact us.