Wood and Composite Exterior Cladding
Natural wood and engineered composite siding remain popular exterior cladding choices for commercial and multi-family projects where a traditional or craftsman aesthetic is desired. Western red cedar — the dominant wood siding choice in the Pacific Northwest — offers natural beauty, workability, and when properly maintained, very good longevity in the region's wet climate. Engineered wood composite and fiber composite products deliver improved moisture resistance and dimensional stability over solid wood while maintaining a similar appearance.
Exteriors Design LLC installs western red cedar and premium hardwood exterior cladding on commercial projects throughout Portland, OR. Our crews have extensive experience with cedar lap siding, board-and-batten, tongue-and-groove, and custom profile installations.
Wood Siding Installation
Natural wood siding is installed over a properly detailed WRB and rainscreen drainage plane. All wood siding must be back-primed before installation — even factory-primed products benefit from additional back-priming to seal end cuts and prevent moisture absorption from the back face. All end cuts are field-primed with an end-grain sealer before installation.
Cedar is installed with stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners — standard galvanized fasteners react with the tannins in cedar and will stain the siding over time. Joint sealing, caulk selection, and paint or stain system selection are coordinated with the architect and coating manufacturer to ensure warranty coverage and long-term performance.
Benefits of Wood and Composite Siding
- Natural beauty: Real wood grain and texture with the warmth that no synthetic material replicates
- Design tradition: Cedar and hardwood siding have a deep regional tradition in Pacific Northwest architecture
- Workability: Wood is the most easily cut, shaped, and detailed of all cladding materials
- Renewable resource: Sustainably harvested cedar is a carbon-sequestering, renewable building material
- Cost competitive: Cedar lap siding is among the most cost-effective natural cladding options
Contact Us for Wood Cladding Estimates
Whether you're specifying cedar lap, board-and-batten, or a premium hardwood product, our team has the experience to install it correctly and protect your project's long-term performance. Call (503) 914-0200 or request an estimate online.