Engineered wood siding is a cheaper alternative to wood siding for steel buildings. It is manufactured using wood products such as sawdust, wood flakes, wood strips or chips, combining these with bonding agents, and pressing them together into sheets or boards under high pressure and heat. This process creates a product that has superior strength and allows other materials to be introduced to it, including waterproofing and coloring chemicals.
Since it is made of real wood, engineered wood siding does have the appearance of natural wood. The resulting texture depends on the type of wood products used in the manufacturing process. When made with finer shavings, engineered wood siding can have a blocky-looking texture. Using wood strands makes the look and texture closely approximate the look of real wood boards.
Engineered wood siding for steel buildings comes in many forms and finishes. The product comes in many different forms such as shingles, lock lap, shakes, or panels. Typically, it is pre-primed or painted, or stained, often embossed with natural looking wood finish and molded to create the look of traditional clapboards. Engineered wood siding can come with seals to provide protection against moisture and the elements.
Although it just simulates the beauty of natural wood, engineered wood siding is a popular alternative to wood siding for steel buildings, because it offers many benefits.
In general, engineered wood siding is much cheaper and lighter than real wood siding. The bonding agents used during its manufacture, make it stronger than real wood, meaning, it is more resistant to moisture, rot, and termites. Best of all, engineered wood siding is economical and easy to install.