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

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