Red Oak for Siding

Red Oak has some drawbacks in exterior exposures. June 8, 2011

Question
Has anybody used red oak for siding? If so, how did it hold up to the weather?

Forum Responses
(Sawing and Drying Forum)
From contributor D:
Red oak usually stands up poorly outdoors, unless you plan on painting it.

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From Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor:
Red oak when exposed outdoors develops small checks that accumulate dirt and then can hold moisture and the wood starts to deteriorate. It does not look beautiful then. It turns gray quickly. It has no natural decay resistance. It is quite prone to cupping and size change (width) as it goes through wet-dry cycles. It is quite heavy compared to many other species used for siding, so fastening systems need to be improved - more nails for example. Overall, it is not a good choice if more preferred species are available.

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From contributor F:
I'm in Northwest Ohio. I've owned and worked on homes 100-150 years old. They used to use poplar for siding usually 1/2 - 5/8" thick planed on one side then painted. It's amazing how well it holds up.

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From contributor R:
I have used red oak for barn siding. That of course is nailed up vertically and it lasts very well.