BarkClad
If you’ve been driving around town and taking note of new homes going up, you may have been struck—as I have—by the number of residences sporting shingles. They’re everywhere. So, with that trend in mind, my curiosity was peeked as to whether we are talking real bark or simulated. Checking with some local builders, I found they used James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding. But, a la years long gone by, is there anyone producing bark siding from, well, bark? Yes. Not here but in (naturally enough) North Carolina and the company is called BarkClad (barkclad.com). For two months every year, a team of employees go out and hand peel the bark off of Southern Tulip poplars, known for their abundance and the fact that the trees grow straight and tall. The bark is cut at the site, carried back, and stacked flat on pallets for drying. BarkClad natural poplar bark is available in three grades: Super Premium Exterior (up to 1.5-inch thickness), Standard Exterior (up to 1-inch thickness), and Interior (half-inch thickness) and at heights of 18, 24 and 36 inches. They’ll also do custom sizes. Custom sizes are available on request. Cost is between $5.75 and $7.25 per square foot, depending on the grade. They ship it directly to you. But note to self, the company also makes SmartBark, which is cheaper (to buy and install), more weather resistant, and looks like bark. It just isn’t.
