What is Bevel Siding and Where Do I Get It?

Bevel siding, a type of clapboard siding, is a popular choice for homeowners seeking a durable, unique, attractive exterior for their homes.

Northern Log Supply offers a unique twist on this classic siding style with our wavy edge bevel siding, which gets you the look of a rustic cabin, but the longevity (not to mention the ease of upkeep) of the most modern materials.

Types of Bevel Siding

Traditional bevel siding has a thick butt and a thin top edge. This style of siding is very effective at shedding water and protecting your home from the elements.

There's a lot of types of bevel siding, and the style goes by many names (including clapboard, lap siding, and weatherboard). 

Basically because one end of the board is bevelled, it's easy to overlap the wood beams and create a weather-resistant exterior on your home. 

Wavy Edge Bevel Siding

For a more rustic appearance, Northern Log Supply's wavy edge bevel siding stands out.

Each piece is individually machined to have irregular widths along the bottom edge, creating a distinctive wavy look that adds character and a rough sawn texture to your exterior. This is a fantastic option if you want your home to have that "rustic cabin" look and feel. 

You can see how unique that "irregular" cut is in the photo above (one of our favorite projects), especially when paired with more traditionally cut accents.

Materials Used in Bevel Siding

Pine

Pine is a popular choice for its affordability and light natural color. Lots of folks enjoy the distinctive knots and grain patterns, which can also be finished to match any color scheme you're going for.

Pine darkens a bit over time (especially if you add it to the exterior of your home where it'll be exposed to sunlight), but most woods do this, and it will still end up comparatively much lighter than cedar.

Cedar

Cedar is known for its natural resistance to rot, decay, and insects. Many folks choose this for northwestern homes where pests are more of a problem. Cedar just doesn't have issues with pests because of it's strong oils. 

Its warm, reddish-brown color and unique grain patterns make it a preferred option for a traditional or rustic look.

You can see that cedar has a more uniform grain pattern, and that it's a bit darker and more "red" compared to pine. 

Northern Log can finish pine and cedar in a few different ways:

Hand-Hewn

Hand-hewn siding provides some old-world charm. Each piece is crafted to look as though it has been shaped by hand, offering a unique texture and appearance. This is probably the style you imagine when you think of "log cabin."

Smooth

Smooth siding offers a clean, modern look. It is ideal for contemporary homes or for anyone seeking a more polished exterior finish.

What you Get with Northern Log Supply's Bevel Siding

• Interior and Exterior Prefinishing Available
  Northern Log Supply offers prefinishing for both interior and exterior applications, eliminating the mess and expense of finishing on-site. The photo above shows a project we did where we matched several styles of siding but finished them the same, so even with wildly different styles, you still get a uniform look. 

• Tongue and Groove and End Matching
  For easy installation, our bevel siding comes with tongue and groove and end matching (upon request), ensuring a seamless fit.

• No Caulking Between Butt Joints
  To simplify the installation process, there’s no need for caulking between butt joints.

• Concealed Fasteners
  Concealed fasteners provide a clean, uncluttered look to the finished siding.

• Kiln Dried Logs
  All logs are kiln dried to ensure stability and longevity.

• Log Corner Options Available
  Northern Log Supply offers log corner options to complement our bevel siding, providing a cohesive look.

• Order Trim for the Perfect Finish
  Matching trim can be ordered to complete the look and provide a perfect finish.

Installation Process

We don't recommend going full DIY when adding siding, but here's how you can do it if you're the Paul Bunyan-type and are interested.

Preparation
Start by installing a moisture barrier on the exterior wooden wall sheathing. Seal seams with matching tape.

Corner Trim Installation
Install corner trim on all wall corners, ensuring each trim is level and secured with galvanized nails.

Installing Bevel Boards

1. Measure and install a starter strip along the bottom of the wall.
2. Place the first beveled board against the trim, ensuring it is level with the starter strip.
3. Fasten the board with galvanized ring shank nails, penetrating the siding, sheathing, and wall studs.
4. Continue nailing planks, abutting each previous one, and cut boards to fit corners as needed.
5. Ensure equal pieces of siding at both ends at corners.
6. Cut notches for plumbing, electrical outlets, and other fittings.
7. Cover the wall with cedar siding up to the roofline, leaving a quarter-inch gap at the top for molding.

Costs of Bevel Siding

Material Costs
The cost of material varies based on wood quality and site location. You can get a free estimate on your project here. 

Installation Costs
Hiring a licensed siding contractor will definitely add to the overall cost of your project. DIY installation can save on labor costs, but like we said above, it's probably worth it to have a professional install your siding.

Maintenance and Durability

Longevity of Cedar and Pine
Cedar and pine are durable choices, with cedar offering superior resistance to rot and decay.

Prefinishing Options
Northern Log Supply's prefinishing services ensure your siding is protected and ready to install, reducing long-term maintenance.

Staining and Painting
To maintain the vibrant tones of your siding, we recommend staining or painting it every other year.

Use Northern Log Supply for Your Bevel Siding Home

We've done tons of bevel siding projects over the years - from full homes to accent walls. You can get some great inspiration from checking out the photos posted here to see how you want to go about adding bevel siding. 

At Northern Log Supply, we have the best prices on the market, and with our pre-stain options, we can cut down on the overall amount of work needed by over 50%. 

So not only do you save on material costs, but the overall cost of the project is going to be much less given that you don't need to spend time or money pre-treating your wood.  

For a quote on your bevel siding, just go here.