The Original
What does it mean to be
“The Original Manufacturer of Poplar Bark Shingles”?
From the Experts:
Marty on Manufacturing
Before we began manufacturing poplar bark shingles, no-one had used this material extensively for 65 years. There was no bark company out there. There were few old timers left to consult. The techniques had all but been forgotten and the tools were antique. Some of the old methods were outdated and unacceptable anyway as buildings are now air-tight, insulated, and of course more energy efficient. Building code issues had to be understood and addressed.
As the originator, we had to do first hand research, directly observing and recording results. We then employed impartial laboratories to gather empirical data on performance and longevity issues. We worked diligently for years to invent manufacturing processes and means of managing product. Issues such as decreasing waste, managing material dynamics, and refining product appearance had to be dealt with.
Matt on Sales and Service
Because we created every aspect of this industry, we understand it intimately. Clients benefit as we not only provide written installation guides and material resources, but we back up those guides with personalized support when individual questions arise from the field. If you have a question, we provide answers you can trust from experience, not from piece-milling what others have said.
We establish the terminology that describes this emerging industry and improves communication with clients. For example, the grading system that identifies shingles as Premium™, Standard™ or Interior™ Grade was established by us. The thicknesses associated with the grades were set by us as well. In the past three years, we have watched as “producers” of materials come and go in a market we created. Being the original manufacturer of poplar bark shingles means we had a tougher trail to blaze. That has made us stronger and amply more appreciative of what we have built and the customers we service.
Chris on Design and Marketing
It means that we work daily with many premiere developments, communities, and individual projects across the country as they begin their planning and design process. From architects and designers to homeowners and building companies, we share knowledge and experience to assist in any way to help achieve their goals. We have studied different rustic styles across the U.S. from Adirondack to High Cowboy and travel abroad yearly to study and explore other cultures’ material manipulations. We were proudly sharing the news of our waste reclamation, forest stewardship, and nature blending designs long before being “green” came into our national consciousness.
We are the pioneers of the modern Bark House® Style. In the fall of 2008, look for my new book Bark House Style, Sustainable Designs from Nature. It continues this conversation in depth with a fascinating look into the origins and history of early bark siding usage and the exciting future it holds.
Unfortunately, it also means that others not only learn from your experience, but they take illegal liberties with our laboratory studies and copyrighted marketing materials. Some examples of this are the websites below that have taken photos, blogs or written material from our website or literature.
Examples
Highland Craftsmen Inc.® (HC®) supplied Bark House shingles for this job. Some bark producers use photos of our work, which may imply it is their own.
This article from Bob Villa’s web site is referenced on a competitors site. The article refers to Highland Craftsmen but this is omited from the reference.
Link to the article on Bob Villa’s blog.
Shingles for this job were supplied by HC. Photo copyright by Todd Bush, commissioned by HC and on HC website.
HC supplied Bark House shingles for the job pictured on this website.
HC supplied Bark House shingles for this job.
This FAQ was taken word for word from the Highland Craftsmen web site, changing only the company name and the word ‘shingles’ to ‘siding’.
It was pulled from their website as we began legal proceedings.