Opinion on finishing siding?

Hysyde · Jul 30, 2019

I'm committed to getting some siding on a shed/shop (16x124) that's been standing for close to 2 years now. It embarrasses the heck out of me that I've let it sit in housewrap all this time but the biggest issue has been indecisiveness. I just wasn't sure what I wanted to finish the walls with.

Funny enough, completing another building (12x24" wood shed) last year has made up my mind to just go with unfinished (weathered) pine board and batten. That was always the plan for the woodshed, but I think this little shop would look OK in it to. Sicne I didn't build the shed with that in mind, I'd looking at about 1 3/8" of finish on top of the housewrap (1/2" strapping and about 7/8" pine board), plus the battens.

My issue right now is I don't know how I want to finish it against the window and door openings (or even the eaves). I was going to go with a 1 1/2 J channel in steel, but the price was fairly exorbitant. As all the openings are pretty well sealing, the J is just to hide the gap around the openings, so I thought about a 1" J on top of the strapping but covering the boards? I could do vinyl or aluminum. It was also suggested to me I should just caulk the gaps around the openings, but I don't like the thought of having to caulk unfinished wood to white flashing. It'd be a different story if it was all the same colour, but the caulking will stick out like a sore thumb. Also keep in mind the siding will vary from slightly proud, to about flush, with most of the opening's flashing.

Any suggestions? I can't let this see a 3rd winter in this state....

RNeumann · Jul 30, 2019

Typically the door wand windows get trim and then you would Z metal under the siding and over the trim on the tops. The sides get caulking.

Inside corners get something square like a 2x2. And outside corners get the same trim as the windows and doors but you make an L with them and then attach it. Something like 1x3 or 1x4 is nice.

The siding is butted to the trim.

spitter · Jul 31, 2019

why don,t you do like the Hansons and put on the Foil. :laughing: That was the greatest movie of all time . Espicially for someone who has played hocky since I was 5. Since you already have board and batten I don't know if they have it in your neck of the woods but I use channel rustic siding it is a 6" batten with a recessed 1" tounge . the other side has a rabbit and when they but together it leaves a 5/8 grove between 51/2 battens.:drink: