Concrete log siding is ideal if you want the old-school charm of logs without the hassles of wood
Mimicking the appearance of authentic wood, concrete log siding is especially popular in the Mountain West, where it fits right into the frontier landscape. While many homeowners are familiar with fiber cement siding, made from reinforced concrete, this newer form of concrete logs is produced using glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFCR). Before you place an order, read our informational article to determine if concrete logs are the best choice for your house.
GFCR lasts decades and resists rot, as well as the kind of insect infestation, fungus, and water damage that can plague traditional wood. It is also fire-resistant, making it highly attractive in areas prone to wildfires. Concrete logs also fare better than many alternatives against snow, ice, and rain—making it a top choice for those highly concerned about durability. The material is even capable of withstanding tornadoes and hurricane-force winds, making it well worth a look if your home is in a part of the country that sees such occurrences. For the same reason it can go toe-to-toe with the elements, concrete log siding is also a great choice for homeowners focused on insulation.
Concrete logs also promise to cut the drama out of siding. While wood requires ongoing investment and energy to keep it structurally sound and looking fresh, concrete log siding only needs resealing every 1 to 3 years, depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, the material is fully customizable: it can be formed into any imaginable shape and painted every color of the rainbow.
When comparing the costs of various types of popular siding, concrete log siding is on the mid-to-high end, with materials such as wood and vinyl as the most affordable options
The combination of visual elegance and brute strength offered by concrete log does not come cheap. Concrete log costs an average of $7 to $12 per square foot, varying with the shape of your space and the brand you chose. Installation can also be pricey, running as high as $800 per 10′ x 10′ square.
Another caveat is that if your home was not designed to accommodate the weight of concrete, there is the risk that the added load could lead to bowed walls and cracking sheetrock. If you don’t want to take the chance, a lighter weight wood log alternative like steel log siding might be the best option, but you should weigh all the pros and cons of different siding to determine what’s right for your house.
Concrete log siding is a relatively new innovation that has opened up a whole new world of exteriors for discerning homeowners. If you live in the kind of open prairie or mountain forest that screams out for the quaint charm of a log cabin—but you fear the threat of fire, vermin, or gale-force winds, or simply wish to avoid time-consuming, costly maintenance—concrete logs could offer the perfect solution.
We’ve compiled some of the most well-known manufacturers of concrete log siding for you to check out.
Everlogs makes concrete logs for residential and commercial properties and is based in Missoula, Mont.
Better Than Logs engineers their concrete log siding in Drummond, Mont., and have many shipping options available.
Old Kentucky Logs, located in Corgin, Ky., has many distributors in other states, including South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
Next Gen Logs provides materials for residential and commercial concrete log projects; it is based in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
