Sycamore b&b siding?

[Nvfd3052]

I need to put siding on a garage I built a few months ago, and I have a bunch of sycamore trees begging me to cut them up, how well would that work? I know that sycamore moves a lot when dryed, how would it do put up green for b&b siding? Will it pull all the nales out, split, and turn into pretzels?

[beenthere]

Put screws in. They won't pull out, and also screw the boards with two near the center (about 1 " apart), and let the screwed dosn battens hold the board edges down. Lets the boards move as they dry.
Replace any real bad actors.

[customsawyer]

X2 what Beenthere said.

[LeeB]

Paint as soon as MC reaches 20%.

[kelLOGg]

IMO, quartersaw the sycamore, sell it to woodworkers (it has beauitiful QS patterns), buy pine (or something else less dramatic then syc.), pocket the difference and side your B&B.
Bob

[Jay C. White Cloud]

Beenthere's advice is spot on. A lot of old barns we've done don't have a nail in the big board, just the batten.  If you do it remember, "bark side out," on boards for sure; battens aren't as critical, but I know I would get yelled at if I didn't do it.  As for painting, I would never paint wood, especially outside, unless it is with a traditional lime or casein paint.  If you want color, use as staining oil.  I would consider selling the sycamore, as KelLOGg suggested, it might be more advantageous.

Regards,  jay

[fishpimp]

Not to hijack this thread but I have tons of sycamore . I've heard qs it will knock ur eyes out but my question is "what about sunken sycamore"?
Does the log being underwater change the color or what?

[Nvfd3052]

Thanks everybody. Jay, what do you mean bark side out, I am still a little too wet behind the ears  ???

[WDH]

Sycamore definitely would not be a top choice for outdoor siding in my experience.  Sycamore boards, especially flatsawn ones, can behave very badly, twisting and warping.  I would prefer a wood that does not have spiral grain.  Let us know how it works out.

[beenthere]

what do you mean bark side out

For most boards, there is a side toward the pith center of the log, and the other towards the bark. That latter is the bark side. Has to do with the boards tendancy to cup when it dries.

And WDH has a good caution for this species as siding boards.

[Nvfd3052]

Thanks everybody, I am going to give it a try. If it don't work out it will just be an excuse to mill up some different lumber and try again.

[Jay C. White Cloud]

Hi,

I was away for a short bit,  looks like you got good warnings, your questions answered and your on you way.  Let us known what happens.

Regards,  jay