The Finishing Steps to Building Your Log Cabin: Roofing, Sid

The Finishing Steps to Building Your Log Cabin: Roofing, Siding
and Interior

After the rafters are in place, you will be ready to put on the
roof boards. These boards can be 5/8-inch by 6- or 8-inch
tongue-and-groove boards. There are some exceptions to this
which are covered in the next section.

For siding, probably the most practical and easiest material to
use as the exterior finish is wood. It has the advantage of
coming in many different shapes, colors, and textures. It can be
stained, painted, or left natural.

As noted in previous articles, I have not specified that
sheathing must be used. Plywood or one of the composition
sheathings or diagonal sheathing boards may be used--in fact,
should be used if you plan to use the cottage year-round at some
time in the future. It should also be used if you are going to
use plaster or plasterboard on the inside.

The sheathing helps to stiffen your structure. One of the most
common types of siding is the lapped bevel. Cedar is one of the
popular woods from which this siding is made. It comes in 4-,
6-, and 8-inch widths. The thick butt edge is usually 7/16 inch
thick. The 10- and 12-inch widths have an 11/16-inch butt.

The minimum headlap for 4- and 6-inch widths is I inch; widths
over 6 inches should have I