Question
I am researching some natural materials for creating exterior trim and details for homes in New England. Looking for: long-lived, rot and insect resistant, paintable, mouldable and low toxicity/low environmental impact. Currently I use Eastern white pine and a bit of Spanish cedar (4/4, 5/4, 8/4). I am looking into: cypress, sapele, utile, or Spanish cedar (drop EWP altogether and use this exclusively). Also curious about pressure-treated, finger-jointed lumber (Windsor one) or composite (Extira). Each seems to have its pluses and minuses; I am looking for the best option.
Forum Responses
(Architectural Woodworking Forum)
From contributor S:
We use a product called Everwood. It is dense dried PT lumber that comes in 1x and 2x. It's very clear, straight, and flat across the width. I think it comes out of AL but we buy it through our local lumberyard and they mill it into whatever profile we need. It's marketed as an environmentally responsible product - they even use plastic staples to attach the end tag.
The portico was all 1x treated.
The tag:
The water tower:
