We have noticed over the past few years that Engineered Wood Siding has been sorely misunderstood. Next time you just happen to be talking to someone about building materials (which will hopefully be sooner rather than later), bring up the term and ask the person what they think it means. You will likely get answers such as “cork board”, “melamine”, or simply “it’s not real wood”. Well I’m here to set the record straight on what “Engineered Wood Siding” really is.

What is Engineered Wood?

First and foremost, engineered wood siding is real wood all right. It’s just made a little differently, which is where the “engineered” part comes in, but it most certainly is real wood. Engineered wood is made up of 100% recycled wood from various sources mixed with a high quality resin that holds it together. It is baked in extremely high temperatures in order to harden the panel which will provide the strength and rigidity to ensure the panel does not break or chip. The panel is then cooled, trimmed and sanded. Once the panel is formed it then gets embossed with a wood grain and painted for the look.

As you can see, engineered wood truly is wood, it’s just made for the 21st century. Read on for the advantages of using engineered wood over real wood…

Advantages of Engineered Wood.

Now that we’re all on the same page about engineered wood, let’s discuss some of the advantages of using engineered wood over real wood. Engineered wood is pre-finished and pre-painted, so the only thing that needs to be done on-site is the installation. Engineered wood is also much lighter than hardboard siding, fibre cement or brick. This reduces transport costs and makes the material easier to handle during installation. Engineered wood is also resistant to termite damage and will not rot, crack or split. Thoughtful of the environment, engineered wood is made from 100% recycled material and comes from [in the case of our product] responsibly managed forests. So if you’re looking to grab LEED points towards your home, or simply looking to gain a little peace of mind, engineered wood is a great option for your home.

Look & Feel of Engineered Wood.

Let’s discuss, for a moment, the look and feel of engineered wood. It’s not 1980 where you take a piece of melamine and slap on a shiny photograph of a wood finish that repeats itself over and over again. Engineered wood features a natural looking wood grain that’s embossed directly into the panels, and it is done completely randomly, so no two pieces look the same. The color availability is wide and varied, whether you want a natural look or something ultra-modern. The panels are available in a variety of widths and styles suitable for any look you wish to achieve.

Wrap-up.

Engineered wood siding is a great, cost-effective alternative to hardwood siding or brick, and will give you a more realistic look than other alternatives such as fibre cement. With key features including no rotting, cracking or splitting, environmental advantages and no on-site finishing, engineered wood siding is a great option for your home. So next time you’re having that conversation about building materials, see what the other person thinks of engineered wood, and set the record straight.