Frequently Asked Questions about Bark Shingle Siding
- How are Bark Shingles made?
- How long do Bark Shingles last?
- Should a sealer be applied to new Bark Shingles?
- What about bugs?
- Do Bark Shingles meet building codes for flammability inside city limits?
- Why do you not treat with Borates?
How are Bark House Shingles Made?
Our vendors start in the forest, alongside crews cutting poplar logs for the furniture industry and other uses. As soon as a tree falls, our small teams of craftsmen use coordination and strength – along with a collection of special antique tools – to loosen whole cylinders of bark from the trunk.
The cylinders of bark are flattened and cut by hand into standard shingle length. After damaged or cracked sections are removed, the shingles are carefully stacked, and then placed under pressure to prevent curling.
The stacks are kiln dried to the proper moisture content, sterilized and then stored in our climate-controlled warehouse until they are ready for use.
Highland Craftsmen® employs an exclusive 5-Point Quality Assurance Program when manufacturing our trademark Bark House Shingles.
How long do Bark House Shingles last?
When properly installed, bark siding can last over 75 years without significant deterioration. For wear-testing purposes, Highland Craftsmen® monitors homes that were built with Poplar Bark Siding in the 1930’s. In some areas, the patina of the bark is weathered, but still functional.
The high altitude location of the test houses near Spruce Pine, N.C., guarantees brutal conditions: temperatures to -20 degrees F. with high winds, ice and snow, plus full sun in summer and about 65 inches of rain a year.
Should sealer be applied to new Bark House shingles?
There’s no need for sealants or preservatives – bark siding resists all kinds of wear. However, using a wood preservative in areas of intense sunshine or exceptional moisture can help retard premature bleaching.
What about bugs?
As part of our exclusive 5-Point Quality Assurance Program, Highland Craftsmen Inc. kiln dries all Bark House shingles. The heat from this process kills any bugs that may be on the bark. When bugs attack a tree, they are looking for nutrients found in the cambium, or inner bark and sap wood. This inner layer is dead when the bark is peeled from the tree and kiln dried.
Do Bark House Shingles meet building codes for flammability inside city limits?
Building codes inside town and city limits are usually more stringent than for buildings outside of city-limits. Premium™ grade Highland Craftsmen poplar bark siding is meeting stringent municipal building codes for flammability, when applied over a non-combustible fabric layer, and in at least one town, Banner Elk, N.C., bark siding appears on the list of “recommended” claddings for new construction. Check the building codes in your area.
HC also offers Class A rated Bark House shingles on a Special Order basis. Please plan for extra treatment and shipping times when placing your order.
Why do you not treat with Borates?
Borates are use as wood preservatives. According to “Borates as Wood Preservatives” by Mark J. Manning and Len T. Arthur (a publication circulated by a major borate manufacturer), “To obtain the required core retention, typically a six week diffusion period was needed for a 50mm… thick timber… Boron compounds in current use as wood preservatives are susceptible to leaching under certain conditions as they are not chemically fixed within the wood…” This means that just dipping or spraying the poplar bark with borates as some other manufacturers do is not a suitable means to obtain any practical benefit from the product. Besides, poplar bark has lasted for up to 75 years with NO chemical treatments.
