Sourcing local wood building materials

Introduction by Lee Burnett

Any homeowner can make their house evoke Maine. All you need is a willingness to source some materials locally and a good project to showcase them. It could be a northern white cedar deck, a birch floor or some pine paneling.

Wood is often the most affordable option for many building components. And sourcing locally can be as easy as driving to the nearest building supply store. Most of the pine boards and two-by-fours sold in Maine, for example, came from Maine, even those sold in big-box stores.

Other wood products take a bit more time and effort. Check out the Maine Wood Guide for a comprehensive list of suppliers organized by product category. The guide features an interactive map of 138 sawmills, wood turneries, shingle mills and wood manufacturers.

You can feel good about sourcing wood from Maine. Maine is a national leader in forest acreage under sustainable forest management protocols. Buying local wood reduces the carbon footprint of building construction. And buying Maine wood is good for the planet and good for our rural neighbors working in the woods and mills.

Local Wood WORKS has assembled this package of material to give you a few ideas. Now it’s your turn. Make a part of your house “speak” of Maine.

PLEASANT LAKE CAMP, shown above and to the left, was designed by Whitten Architects of Portland and built by R.P. Morrison Builders of Windham. It features Maine-grown Eastern white cedar siding, white pine wallboards and trim, and poplar millwork. Designed to evoke the classic Maine summer cottage, this four-season home was built to high-performance standards, ensuring comfort and efficiency year-round.

SIDING

By Chris Briley

I’VE HEARD IT MANY TIMES. “I LIKE WOOD AND I WANT TO BE AS SUSTAINABLE AS I CAN, BUT I’M TIRED OF PAINTING. I also want my siding to be affordable, attractive and require little maintenance. What are my options?” The good news is that there are many options, and this article will review some of the more readily available.

TRIM

By Lee Burnett and Chris Briley

PICKING THE RIGHT MATERIAL FOR EXTERIOR TRIM IS A BALANCING ACT between durability, maintenance, cost and, of course, good looks. The decision is made more difficult by requirements for moisture handling in high-performance construction.

DECKING

By Ben Hemberger

DECKS ARE PEOPLE PLACES. They are where we barbecue, catch some rays, tend our container gardens. Hardscape patios are ideal for durability and are usually very attractive, but because of budgets or site considerations (think sloping sites), decks are ubiquitous for outdoor relaxation.

FLOORING

By Rob Whitten and Russ Tyson

FLOORING IS A BIG EARLY DECISION IN HOME CONSTRUCTION, even though it goes in at the end. It has to work with the windows, the heating system, the intended use and the lifestyle of the occupants.