Wood & Engineered Siding

Natural wood siding carries a timeless aesthetic that many North Dakota homeowners find irreplaceable. The warmth and character of real cedar, pine, or engineered wood products like LP SmartSide create a distinctive look that synthetic materials struggle to replicate. B&C Northern Construction works with homeowners who value authentic wood aesthetics to select species, profiles, and finishes that balance beauty with the practical demands of our severe climate. Western red cedar remains the premier choice for natural wood siding in North Dakota. Its natural oils provide inherent resistance to moisture, decay, and insect damage, reducing—though not eliminating—the maintenance requirements compared to other wood species. Cedar can be installed as horizontal lap siding, vertical board-and-batten, or tongue-and-groove panels, each creating a distinctly different character. We recommend transparent or semi-transparent stains rather than solid paint for cedar siding, as stain penetrates the wood grain and does not peel or blister like film-forming paints. LP SmartSide engineered wood siding offers the look of real wood with enhanced durability and lower maintenance requirements. Manufactured from treated wood strands bonded with resin and coated with a zinc borate layer for rot and termite resistance, SmartSide panels can be primed and painted to match any color scheme. The product carries a fifty-year limited warranty and handles North Dakota's temperature extremes well because the manufacturing process stabilizes the wood strands against moisture-driven expansion and contraction.

Maintenance requirements for natural wood siding in North Dakota are significant and should be honestly discussed before installation. Cedar siding in our climate needs re-staining every three to five years to maintain its protective finish and appearance. South-facing and west-facing walls degrade faster due to UV and wind exposure, often requiring attention on a shorter cycle than protected north-facing walls. B&C Northern Construction provides detailed maintenance schedules with every wood siding installation, including product-specific recoating instructions and recommended stain brands that have proven durable in our climate through years of field observation. We also offer maintenance staining services for existing wood siding clients who prefer professional application.

For homeowners considering board-and-batten profiles, we recommend vertical grain cedar or LP SmartSide panels for superior moisture shedding and reduced cupping compared to flat-sawn boards. The vertical orientation of board-and-batten siding naturally directs water downward rather than allowing it to pool on horizontal surfaces, making it a particularly practical choice for the heavy precipitation and snowmelt that North Dakota homes endure each spring. Our board-and-batten installations include concealed fastening systems where possible and properly spaced battens that allow the underlying boards to breathe and dry, preventing the trapped moisture conditions that cause premature rot in poorly installed wood siding systems.