Bark Siding
Bark Siding History | Bark Siding Specs | A Green Product
“Bark…acts as a suit of armor against the world by protecting the tree from insects, disease, storms and extreme temperatures. In certain species, the outer bark also protects the tree from fire”.
From NCForestry.org.
Bark House® shingle siding was the first product HC® developed in 1990. We are the original manufacturer of nationally acclaimed Poplar Bark Shingles.
The rugged good looks of Bark House shingles attract people initially. With incredible design flexibility, they complement many styles in the rustic genre as well as modern structures in both residential and commercial settings.
Their durability is what keeps people coming back for more. They are all-natural, sustainable, reclaimed, long lasting (up to 80 years) and maintenance free.
The more people learn about this product, the better they like it. We invite you to do your research and ask many questions. This site provides numerous tools to help differentiate this product from other cladding materials.
If you desire “ the whole package” look, function and sustainability, then we invite you to experience the Bark House difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How are Bark Shingles made?
- How long do Bark Shingles last?
- Should a sealer be applied to new Bark Shingles?
- Are chemicals added and why?
- What about bugs?
- At what point in the manufacturing process are the shingles “squared”?
- Do Bark Shingles meet building codes for flammability inside city limits?
- What storage facilities are provided?
- Does the seller do installations or provide a guide from the manufacturer?
- Does the seller provide any other support services?
- Other Considerations
How are Bark House Shingles Made?
Our vendors start in the forest, alongside crews cutting poplar logs for the furniture industry and other uses. As soon as a tree falls, our small teams of craftsmen use coordination and strength, along with a collection of special antique tools to loosen whole cylinders of bark from the trunk.
The cylinders of bark are flattened and cut by hand into standard shingle length. After damaged or cracked sections are removed, the shingles are carefully stacked, and then placed under pressure to prevent curling.
The stacks are kiln dried to the proper moisture content, sterilized and then stored in our climate-controlled warehouse until they are ready for use.
Highland Craftsmen® employs an exclusive 5-Point Quality Assurance Program when manufacturing our trademark Bark House Shingles. To learn more about the process, contact our Bark Experts.
How long do Bark House Shingles last?
When properly installed, bark siding can last over 75 years without significant deterioration. For wear-testing purposes, Highland Craftsmen monitors homes that were built with Poplar Bark Siding in the 1930’s. In some areas, the patina of the bark is weathered, but still functional.
The high altitude location of the test houses near Spruce Pine, N.C., guarantees brutal conditions: temperatures to -20 degrees F. with high winds, ice and snow, plus full sun in summer and about 65 inches of rain a year.
Should sealer be applied to new Bark House shingles?
There is no need for sealants or preservatives. Bark House bark siding resists all kinds of wear. However, using a wood preservative in areas of intense sunshine or exceptional moisture can help retard premature bleaching.
Are chemicals added and why?
Some manufacturers dip or spray their bark with Borates. Take the time to learn about the characteristics of any chemical additive. Has the manufacturer followed guidelines put out by the chemical company that lead to any true benefit with chemical additives? Is there a real benefit to additives in the first place?
The Borate Story:
Borates are used as wood preservatives. According to “Borates as Wood Preservatives” by Mark J. Manning and Len T. Arthur (a publication circulated by a major borate manufacturer), “To obtain the required core retention, typically a six week diffusion period was needed for a 50mm thick timber? Boron compounds in current use as wood preservatives are susceptible to leaching under certain conditions as they are not chemically fixed within the wood?”
This means that just dipping or spraying the poplar bark with borates as some other manufacturers do is not a suitable means to obtain any practical benefit from the product. According to The Journal of Light Construction and Remodeling Magazine, “borate-treated wood is not recommended for exterior use or ground contact, since constant wetting will leach it away from wood and decrease effectiveness.”
What about bugs?
As part of our exclusive 5-Point Quality Assurance Program, Highland Craftsmen Inc. kiln dries all Bark House shingles. The heat from this process kills any bugs that may be on the bark. When bugs attack a tree, they are looking for nutrients found in the cambium, or inner bark and sap wood. This inner layer is dead when the bark is peeled from the tree and kiln dried.
At what point in the manufacturing process are the shingles “squared”?
Manufacturers skip steps by squaring the bark before it dries. This saves THEM money. Bark shingles are unstable until dry. They shift dimensionally or shrink more in some areas than others. “Squaring” the shingle before the kiln drying process means that the shingles are not really square. Your builder will have more time cleaning up the edges to get a proper fit, costing you extra money on the installation.
Do Bark House Shingles meet building codes for flammability inside city limits?
Bark House Shingles carry a Class B Certification for flame spread and smoke development values. Highland Craftsmen is the only one in the industry to acquire a rating from this national certification process.
Building codes inside town and city limits are usually more stringent than for buildings outside of city-limits. Premium™ grade Highland Craftsmen poplar bark siding is meeting stringent municipal building codes for flammability, when applied over a non-combustible fabric layer, and in at least one town, Banner Elk, N.C., bark siding appears on the list of “recommended” claddings for new construction. Check the building codes in your area.
What storage facilities are provided?
It is important that bark shingles remain in a controlled dry environment after kiln drying and before being installed on your home. Bark that sits in the weather for extended periods prior to being installed will wick moisture from the environment. That means that the bark will swell or expand and when drier conditions exist, the bark can shrink on your home exposing cracks. So over time some of the benefits that were gained from the kiln drying are simply lost.
Does the seller do installations or provide a guide from the manufacturer?
Proper Installation Finishes the Job:
Whether you are working with a builder or installing yourself, proper installation helps increase the longevity of the shingles and ensures a more appropriate look. Can you imagine the moldings in the interior of your home having huge gaps in the joints? What if your floor had cracks wide enough to fall through? This would be unacceptable. Poor bark installations are just as unacceptable and much more costly as your home’s exterior sheathing dictates your home’s integrity, resistance to water, bugs and numerous intruders. Poorly installed shingles will not stand the test of time.
Wall prep is essential:
Whether your job is a replacement of existing siding or a new project, ensuring that the proper substrate is used is very important. If the material that your siding is nailed to is not sufficient enough to nail to, there will eventually be product failure and impaired home integrity.
Stay out of the water:
Wood shingles of any kind should not come in direct contact with the ground, roofing materials or any area that water stands. Proper flashing is paramount.
House wrap should be applied to create a breathable water resistant barrier. An adhesive backed ice dam membrane seals the edges of window and door trim to the house wrap. Using a roofing membrane between rows of bark will double insure that no water ever gets behind the bark and degrades wood.
Let the air flow:
A kicker strip should be used on the first row. The tilt of the shingle that follows allows proper amounts of air to move around the shingle.
Consider the lap factor:
Each particular house site is unique as to rain, snow, ice, humidity, wind etc. Bark shingles should be lapped no less than 2” in any situation for an exterior application. Ice damming and wind factors will impact how much lap is recommended for your particular situation.
Nail, and nail properly:
The basic structure of bark is that the back edge is flat and the front edge is ridged and has much more surface area. If left unattached or improperly attached, bark will curl in on itself and assume a tighter cylinder shape than when on the tree. On a house, this means the bark will bulge away from the home and its integrity will be compromised. A full-head chisel point spiral shank bright nail is recommended if using a nail gun. Poplar bark is not acidic enough to cause bleed or long-term nail decomposition. Nail heads will eventually rust and blend into the field. Galvanized nails or staples will shine brightly in the light.
Mind your corners:
For outside corners, there are two application techniques. A bark wrapped corner uses an alternating wrap pattern. Wood corner styles are another method. No matter which method is chosen, corner joints should fit tightly without gaps. Caulk is not necessary with a proper cut and fit. Make sure your installer has good instructions for dealing with inside and outside corner treatments. Gaps here lead to impaired home integrity.
Does the seller provide any other support services?
By providing technical and customer support, sales people can help architects, builders, and homeowners make the best choices about bark siding options, design applications and installation. Having guides and installation support, from someone with experience who cares how the product is installed makes a huge difference. Personal consultations via the phone or on the job-site solve real-world construction issues.
Other Considerations
Each job is unique. The guidelines listed here are applicable in every situation. Some specific issues may present themselves on your particular job; being able to trust your manufacturer and installer, to deal with general and specific issues, is paramount to good home integrity and product longevity.
When considering building or purchasing a house that has bark siding on it, take the time to learn where the builder got the bark from, know that the manufacturer is reputable and can answer the questions above providing evidence of their answers.
If you have any further inquiries about Highland Craftsmen Inc, the products or pricing, please contact our Bark Experts.
