The Forestry Forum

Has anyone had any success using hard maple for framing or siding? How does it weather?

Aboo,for outbuildings where twisting and bowing are not a problem its OK not great though,if your going to nail it do it when its green outherwise you may have to drill the nail/screw holes.I'am not sure on the use as siding.Frank C.

I have a customer who is planning to build a barn. He has a large amount of maple and wants to incorporate the use of the lumber from the maple into the barn. I am thinking that using the maple for framing material would be a better use than for siding since it would be out of the weather. He also has red oak to be cut, this I felt would make better board and batten siding. I suggested using poplar for the framing material. Any thoughts?

I think either one would make good beams for framing, but as BM2 said, if they're allowed to dry, they'll need to be predrilled.

I'm wondering though, if you were to use a "power nailer", they might nail up ok.

I would use the hard maple and oak for the framing.  If kept out of the weather it should be fine.  Use the poplar for the board and batten.