The Home Owner - Edwin of Georgia. Next on the visit list for this trip was my good buddy Edwin in GA. Edwin and I had never met before my trip but after a few beers on this hot afternoon we became good buddies quite quickly. Ed had ordered 3800 LFT (approx 2100 SQFT) of Dutch Lap Cedar Siding late 2008. By the time I visited August 2009 his dream was built!
The Wood Species - WESTERN RED CEDAR SIDING
The Wood Grade - CUSTOMER SELECT KNOTTY Graded to the rough side
The Siding Pattern - DUTCH LAP SIDING PATTERN often sold as Cove Lap or German Lap Siding 1x8" Nominal size with actual exposure 6 3/4" - Milled for Rough Side Use
The Wood Siding Finish - Factory pre-stained all 4 sides (top, bottom and edges) a Cedar Natural color semi-transparent stain.
The Design
This property started out as a horse barn with a 2 bedroom apartment built on the 2nd floor. Edwin had been trying to decide whether or not to build a house on another part of it when his friend (a builder) said "you could renovate this barn into something pretty nice if you wanted".
Edwin said he had never thought of it before and his guy drew some sketches on a napkin and they began to talk about it a few evenings a week.
Western Red Cedar Dutch Lap Siding
The Project
It is my contention that when you set out to build anything it always takes 3 times as long as you thought it would and costs twice as much. I see this as a rule of nature as solid as Murphy's law (which is the cause of my rule).
In this case when the talks began Edwin said he had a certain budget in mind but as his project developed he decided to spend more and get what he wanted.
They designed as they went. The builder would do some work and the two friends would talk about it over a couple of beers in the evenings. The next day the builder would implement and the process would repeat.
Edwin said it cost him more to do it this way but it was better because there were no surprises for him. He was able to have influence on the decision making every step of the way. The pace was right for him to make the choices that he would live with for years.
He found us on the internet and began looking through the wood paneling and wood siding products we showcase.
When he called me he was looking to do the outside with redwood and the interior with raw pine. After discussing the pros and cons of each he decided the Western Red Cedar Dutch Lap Siding PAD (pre-stained) would be the best option for the exterior wood siding
DUTCH LAP - GERMAN LAP - COVE LAP - WWPA 105 PATTERN DIAGRAM
He was extremely happy with the results. He said the cedar went up with no problem. He had some color variation in the wood and saved a spot on the back wall for the darker sticks.
Example of a the clean, simple 2x4 trim he used for corners and edges. Notice how different the wood color is between time of day and brilliant sunshine verses shade!
INTERIOR WOOD PANELING
He had originally decided to go with sheet rock on the interior but after doing the research online decided on wood paneling.
He decided on 1x6 Tongue & Groove MILL SELECT (STK) pine paneling with a Clear 2 Coat UV Urethane finish would be right for the interior wood paneling. More Interior Pictures - Interior Pine Paneling
Sitting there admiring the results of his work I noticed the feeling of satisfaction he had. Here is a guy who did most of the research himself and was integrally involved in the design and building process.
He did his research online in the evenings and built his dream home one step at a time, the way he wanted it.
You can see his heart in the way he did the place. You can see it in his eyes when he lights up with stories about the build.
The Cost
The total remodel cost about $175,000 and our wood package - cedar siding exterior and pine paneling interior - ran about $13,000 on this project.
He said he was within 10% trim and waste overall on the exterior and less than 5% on the interior end matched pine paneling.
He said the entire project took about 3 times as long and cost about twice as much as he thought when he started but was well worth it for what he achieved.
To me this is what is it all about - helping someone build their own little slice of heaven. Made sweeter for the labor of love put into it.
Chris Buffalo
Custom Craftsman Series
Buffalo Lumber Company Inc.
