Reclaimed Barn Siding — Exterior Projects FAQ

Reclaimed barn siding is distinct in the reclaimed wood world– it is the product that is most valued for it’s weathered aesthetic with minimum regard to structural integrity. We are providing this FAQ to hopefully help our customers identify the right “type” of reclaimed barn siding for their project.

Q: What should I look for when buying Reclaimed Barn Siding for Exterior Paneling?

A: Reclaimed barn siding for exterior projects is used to achieve a “gray, whitewashed look.” In order to get the longest life out of the product, you want to purchase wood that has greater structural integrity than what is needed for interior applications. The North and East sides of your home will bear more weather and as a result, these sides should get the most structurally sound pieces and, even if they start out brown, will weather to gray fairly quickly. When purchasing for exterior applications, it is better to err towards structural quality of the boards. For projects that will take heavy, inclement weather, we recommend using re-sawn joist material. This product can achieve the same look but is slightly thicker and more structurally sound.

Q: What specie of barn siding should I use for exterior applications?

A: We source our reclaimed barn siding from all over the country. The two main species we offer are Douglas Fir and Eastern White Pine. It is our experience that the Douglas Fir west of the Cascades tends to be more weathered and moisture damaged than the Eastern White Pine we secure from the Midwest and New England area. Douglas Fir will have more variance in dark brown tones (see the photo above) while Eastern White Pine is more uniform and a little lighter in shade. If you are using Eastern White Pine and desire more color variation, you can alter using the insides (brown) and outsides (gray) of different boards. As for performance, it has been our experience that as long as the material is sound, they both perform equally well.

Q: Which is better for exterior applications — shiplap or straight edge?

A: Reclaimed shiplap barn siding (with the original shiplap) tends to be thinner than straight edge material and we do not recommend it for exterior applications. If you want to purchase straight edge material and put a new shiplap on it — then that will work just fine. Keep in mind, in doing so, you will have a lot of waste and can lose a good percentage of material.

Q: How much waste or overage should I account for?

A: The more cuts you plan on making to the wood, whether it be to rip straight edges or miter corners, the more overage you should add. For exterior applications, plan on cutting up some long pieces and culling some more material out than you would do so for interior projects. A bare minimum is 10%. We have seen some projects safely add as much as 30% – 40% overage.

Q: Can I get reclaimed barn siding with some red or white paint?

A: Yes. Many people like specs of paint to add some color to their project. Keep in mind, this paint is often lead-based so check your local building codes before installing.

Q: What widths and sizes is reclaimed barn siding available in?

A: Our reclaimed barn siding widths range from 6 inches to 12 inches and beyond, depending on your project needs. Our reclaimed barn siding lengths average between 7 feet to 12 feet with some random lengths – 2 feet to 18 feet – in the mix. Available reclaimed barn siding thicknesses come in ¾ inches to 1 inch but is different by “lot”. When ordering single widths, ask us about how much siding can vary (in width) from piece to piece.

As with any reclaimed wood product, it’s best to know the whats, wheres, and whys before you buy reclaimed barn siding. No two reclaimed planks of barn siding are alike, which serves both as an appeal and a need to take precaution when making a purchase. For instance, do nail holes and rusty nail heads sound charming or unsightly? Was the barn deconstructed because of rot or an external reason, such as a land-clearing? Are you set on weathered barn siding that looks the same, or are open to a variety of reclaimed barn siding finishes?

If you are new to buying reclaimed wood, check out AltruWood’s Buyer’s Guide to Reclaimed Beams and Timbers to pinpoint the questions you should ask your wood vendor.