How to install log siding or wood paneling yourself

If you’ve installed vinyl siding, you can install log siding or wood paneling. If you haven’t, consider printing this blog post — and call us if you get stuck. It can be easy; it can be complicated. It really depends which type of custom wood product you’ve chosen and whether it’s an exterior or interior project.

Go slowly when you begin to install your log siding or wood paneling. It takes time, but your end result will make your investment worth it.

Even if you’ve never installed siding or paneling before, you’ll notice how easy it is to install tongue-and-groove. Our end-matching system will all but guarantee you will do it right — and make it beautiful.
Before you start, look at your project and how you are going to do it. Give it a visual once-over.

If you’re doing a log siding project, put a vertical log up and temporarily fasten it. Take some measurements and make sure you’re good and level before you start. Know what your corner heights are. Find your framing and studs, and mark those on the wall. Installing your trim (and then your vertical corners) is your first priority.

If you’re using mitered corners, you’ll need more time to line up your pieces and cut.

If you have a cabin cut (square-cut end), the bottom trim piece is a fill piece; cut it first. A cabin cut is simple to install and gives you a different look.

Take time to become familiar with the groove end and the tongue end. Most people start with a groove end match on the left and a tongue end on the right.

If you’re using our product for an exterior project we recommend using coated screws. It’s important to use longer screws for longevity. Screws also will reduce the odds of you breaking off a piece of your custom-cut tongue.

Once the first piece is fastened with the groove to the bottom and the tongue to the top, tap in the next piece and fasten it.

If you’re doing an interior project with knotty pine paneling, nail it on and go. Interior wood does not take the same abuse as exterior.

Nail your first piece into your framing or OSB and proceed from there. When you cut a piece at the end of a row, take that piece down to start your next row — you’ll have a tongue end.

We’re here for our customers so please don’t hesitate to call. Once you have started, if questions come up or you decide the project is more than you want to do, just call us. We’ll walk you through whatever issue you may be having — or support your decision to hire an installer.