Are Knotty Pine Panels a Good Idea?
In terms of creating a sense of rustic elegance in and around the home, most people look to log siding or some sort of wooden accent to accomplish the style. Some prefer this rustic appearance on the outside, some prefer it on the inside, and some take it wherever they can get it and love to make a game out of accenting ceilings, floors, and statement pieces with beautiful hard wood. Cedar and pine are amongst the most common choices that are recognizable to the average joe, but choices go beyond that, especially when you choose to work with the Woodworker's Shoppe. Beyond the type of wood, whether you get paneling that is pre-finished or not, whether you choose wood that is smooth or knotty, whether you choose trim with hard edges or rounded – these are all decisions you'll have the privilege of making in order to customize your space to what you've always dreamed it would be. One choice that can be difficult for some to settle on but that is increasing in popularity tremendously is knotty pine. As a siding, knotty pine panels are beautiful, but when pieces aren't hand picked for quality, the results are not often what you want.
The Good and the Bad with Knotty Pine Panels
Pine is one of the most stunning pieces of wood to look at once it's been placed, set and finished. The beautiful lines, the knots, the unique marks that are left on display are unmatched by any other type of wood (or wood replica). As far as exterior pine paneling – this is the look you're going for when you envision building the mountain cabin of your dreams, complete with knotty pine panel siding, a stone chimney that puffs out the smoke from your wood burning stove, all of it sitting beneath the Evergreen trees on a mountainside. On the interior, knotty pine is what gives your paneling that “definitely wooden” appearance. No two panels are the same, and this creates a custom look that can never be replicated.
The trouble with pine lies in the texture that is sometimes settled for in the selection and installation process. Pine can feel a bit rough, splintering even, if it's not been sawn, sanded and finished properly. When pine isn't picked according to a standard of quality or a customer's preference, getting a mixed bag is often the result. For example, you'll have pieces of rough texture and gaping holes (as knots), and pieces that are smoother and fewer, smaller knots. Put it all together and it's not as aesthetically pleasing as you'd like, nor is it pleasant to touch. So, where does that leave us with knotty pine?
The Good News about the Woodworker's Shoppe
Most of all of the wood used by Woodworker's Shoppe is harvested directly out of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula – two areas that have made a reputation for having the highest quality wood. Each and every piece of pine is hand inspected to ensure the utmost quality. If there are any defects found, the piece is salvaged and made usable by the removal of said defect. If the defect is not removable, it's simply not used. Log siding installations simply aren't complete without the top notch tongue-in-groove, end-match design, which gives the home a more authentic look without nailing, caulking, waste or excessive material. We ensure quality by guaranteeing that there'll be no cracking, splitting or warping of any kind after the installation. Woodworker's Shoppe prides themselves in the quality of the product they offer, their fair prices, and making sure that every customer is completely satisfied. Testimonials abound online and around town that rave over the quality job, friendly staff, and low prices in comparison with other companies. There's no lack of experience with this company either, as they've been sawing, milling, drying and molding lumber since 1978.
With Woodworker's Shoppe, you're in the driver's seat in terms of what you prefer with your pine. Small knots? Large ones? Rough, authentic feel or smooth? Woodworker's Shoppe will make it happen for you according to your preference.
Add a Little Character to Your Home with the Knots You Have
Maybe you love the look of gaping knots in your pine, whether it be on the floors, on the walls, or in furniture, but you're not quite sure what to do with those knots. You can't just leave them, can you? While leaving them as authentic characteristics of your wood is always a great option, you can always transform them into a personal project that has plenty of meaning and aesthetic appeal, as well. The options for this are truly endless, it just takes a bit of creativity. Take, for example, a couple who collects lucky pennies. They might decide that in those gaping knotty pine holes, they'll collect pennies (heads up, of course). Putting two or three in every hole, they epoxy the hole shut with a clear material and voila – the gaping holes have become beautiful and meaningful details. It's a uniquely creative and interesting statement, so there's no limit to what you can do with those knots!
Simply stated, you cannot go wrong with beautiful knotty pine paneling, no matter what you're using it for. Woodworker's Shoppe will carefully select your pine to give you the look of your dreams!
