Please feel free to call with any questions you might have that aren’t answered here. We are a small family company and know that one of our competitive advantages is that all of our customers are important!
Vertical grain (also known as edge grain, quarter-sawn, or rift-cut describes lumber where the tree’s annual growth rings run roughly perpendicular (at a 45-to-90-degree angle) to the face of the board.
Vertical grain lumber is more stable than traditional flat cut boards. Because the growth rings run vertically, the wood shrinks and swells mostly through its thickness rather than across its width. This makes vertical grain much less likely to cup, warp, twist, or shrink as it ages and changes with humidity.
Yes, quarter sawn siding is a highly stable product that’s always recommended for applications with extreme weather exposure, or for surfaces which take abuse. Our milling procedure leaves a straight, vertical grain which minimizes cupping, warping and twisting. This enhances durability and the ability to hold paints and stains.
Yes, and no. The terms are often used interchangeably, but quarter sawn refers to the milling process of cutting a log into quarters and then cutting boards out against the grain. Vertical grain refers to the grain pattern itself, and can refer to boards that are not technically quarter sawn. In the case of quarter sawn, bevel-cut clapboards, both terms are correct, because the logs are milled from the center to the edge like a pie, resulting in all of the boards having that vertical grain.
No, our clapboards are not available longer than 6′. Pallets have bundles of boards varying in length from 2′ to 6′. The majority of boards will be longer lengths. We sell these widths:
6″ clapboard graded to 4″ exposure.
5 1/2″clapboard graded to 3 1/2″ exposure.
5″ clapboard graded to 3″ exposure.
4 1/2″clapboard graded to 2 1/2″ exposure.
Granville Mills’ quarter sawn clapboards are planed and edged on one side. The ends are squared, and clapboards are graded as follows:
1 X Clear: Clear unmarked on exposed section of clapboard.
2 X Clear: Up to one knot or blemish on exposed section of clapboard.
Rustic: Clapboards are graded on the rough circular sawn side and are essentially clear.
Granville Mills’ quarter sawn clapboards are spruce or hemlock, and sometimes pine. If you need a difference species, give us a call. We can likely get it for you.
The best way to install wood siding is to use a rain screen system, allowing air to circulate behind the boards so moisture can dry out from both sides. Use furring strips over a house wrap (weather-resistant barrier) to create the air pocket between the sheathing and the siding.
It is very important to also ensure that the clapboards are sealed on all six sides (back, front, top, bottom, and cut ends) to keep moisture out of the wood. Protect the wood with a high-quality exterior-grade paint, semi-transparent stain, or UV-blocking sealant on all sides if possible before or immediately after installation.
Finally, keep the bottom edge of the wood siding at least 6 to 18 inches above the ground or deck surface to prevent rain splash-back.
Yes, it is recommended to ensure that the clapboards are sealed on all six sides (back, front, top, bottom, and cut ends) to keep moisture out of the wood. Protect the wood with a high-quality exterior-grade paint, semi-transparent stain, or UV-blocking sealant on all sides if possible before or immediately after installation. Sealing the back side may seem like extra work or cost, but in the long run, your siding will hold paint much better and far longer, and save labor and money.
Pre-priming and or pre-finishing is an ideal way to guarantee that your boards are sealed from moisture before they are installed.
The pre-finishing of trim and siding by machine ensures even application and protection from environmental degradation. Combine this with a factory finish coat and you have the most economical and durable sidings available today.
The main advantages are:
- Independent studies by the Forest Products Laboratory show that adhesion of all coatings is significantly reduced when wood has been allowed to weather prior to coating. Pre-finishing ensures that the siding is protected in advance of installation.
- Whether you decide to stain or paint, a factory applied base coat provides a uniform finish which enhances any factory or field applied topcoat.
- Pre-finishing can put you ahead at your building site. Pre-staining and priming provide you with trim and siding that is sealed all four sides and ready for installation immediately. And pre-finished siding can be installed under any weather conditions, so there are no problems coordinating schedules.
- Machine application has been proven to reduce costs by at least 25%. Using factory finish can further reduce the long run costs by lengthening the intervals between maintenance coats. Factory finishes are warrantied for 15 years.
We can complete most pre-finishing orders in 3-4 weeks.
Pre-finishing can be primed only, prime plus top coat (paint or solid stain), or stained. We recommend that we apply a prime coat and one finish coat in the factory. A field coat is required after installation to qualify for the 15 year warranty from Cabot, Sherwin Williams, or Olympic.
No. In fact, stains or paints from the manufacturer of your choice can be factory applied in a wide variety of choices. We offer more choices than any other manufacturer. We carry Cabot, Sherwin Williams, or Olympic and if needed, we can match most color choices and provide brush out samples of your order.
Yes. We stock Maze and Tremont nails. They can be colored to match siding and trim.
Yes. Our reproduction wood siding options include ship lap, tongue & groove, drop siding, beadboard, 7/8 channel rustic lap, shingles, etc. We can provide custom wood siding for your custom projects. If you need to match new woodwork to existing millwork patterns or wood species, our skilled craftsmen can use your existing piece and replicate it. See our chart for classic patterns, or call to inquire about specific custom matching.
We sell these standard widths:
6″ clapboard graded to 4″ exposure.
5 1/2″clapboard graded to 3 1/2″ exposure.
5″ clapboard graded to 3″ exposure.
4 1/2″clapboard graded to 2 1/2″ exposure.
If your project requires a custom reveal, please give us a call and we will do our best to source it for you.
