Historic log cabin siding.

INSTALLING PIONEER LOG SIDING

Shipment
After your Pioneer Log Siding arrives, place it across some ground boards. If you have ordered your siding unstained, you may wish to cover it until you're ready to stain.

Installing log siding using spacer strips

Siding butts against a false hollow beam

Siding with spacers and without spacers

Installing Log Siding
Pioneer Log Siding can be installed on most any flat surface. Most new building structures are covered in a brand name plastic weather guard as shown in our photo. We suggest you start your first line of siding from the bottom up. If you are using all the same size boards you may wish to use spacer strips, creating the old pioneer chinking spaces between the boards.

Spacer strips can be the same size, say 3" or, you may wish to cut different size strips for different size spaces. Same size spaces create a clean, even look, as shown in our photos. However, I, personally, prefer the imperfect, pioneer look made by nailing the boards directly to the surface with random spacing, as shown in the photo.

Using all the same size siding say, 12" inch will give a clean uniform cabin look, or you may wish to go random and alternate with 12" inch, 8" inch, and 10" boards. For a true, "Old Frontier" look - go random! Though I recommend that you stay as horizontal as possible, just have fun - forget "perfect!"

Pioneer Log
Siding
simulates real
square logs
after they are
installed.

Chinking
adds warmth,
charm and
protection to any
Log Cabin finish.

Smooth chinking between boards

Rough and shallow chinking between boards

Chinking the Spaces
This was originally done to fill in the imperfect spaces and insulate the cabins. It also added a special charm to the historic cabins. We suggest getting bids from a professional in your area who will apply the chinking for a clean, contemporary look. If you are the adventurous type, the internet is full of information about how to do the job just like the pioneers did - it's a bit of sloppy work, but can be a lot fun and very rewarding!

Important: When chinking, never fill the spaces full. Just seal them well and keep it shallow enough to show the beautiful hand-hewn edges. As an added bonus, you will be saving on chinking material!

Age Staining
You may choose to have your Pioneer Log Siding pre-stained and ready to install. I use a special staining process that ages the wood and retains the depth and beauty of the grain. I strongly recommend that, should you decide to do it yourself, you use a transparent stain as it will let the grain show through, whereas a paint stain will not.

I am always on call to help with any questions you may have along the way and will be happy to help you to attain the historic look you are searching for.

Montana Log Homes

Need Chinking for your project?

In California Visit: Cascade Chinking • In Montana Visit: Even-Flow Chinking

Visit The Log Home Neighborhood

Call Richard at 360 544-8338
email: logsales@pioneerlogsiding.com

"Located in Coupeville Washington near the Heart of the Lumber Industry."