When it comes to building materials, the Summerwood standard is set remarkably high: all of our buildings are constructed using premium products and the best quality materials we can find.
Material component cutaways:
Standard buildings
Cabins, garages, and larger structures.
Gazebos
Select one of the buildings above for building component specifications.
Framing materials — such as dimensional lumber, engineered beams and trusses, and the fasteners used to hold them all together — contribute to the shape, structure, and strength of a building. They make up the walls, roof, ceiling, and floors, supporting weight and resisting external and internal forces.
SpruceSpruce is the standard framing material used for most Summerwood structures (gazebos are the exception — they’re framed with cedar).
Uses: Wall and Roof Framing
Framing Lumber Profiles
Pressure TreatedPressure Treated (PT) lumber is treated for exterior use. The floor substructure is framed from PT lumber to protect it from moisture.
Uses: Floor Framing
P.T. Lumber Profiles
CedarA beautiful, decay-resistant alternative to pressure treated wood, red cedar is naturally suited to exterior applications. As such, cedar is the standard framing material used for Summerwood gazebos.
In our other buildings, consider upgrading to cedar from standard spruce framing if you plan on leaving your wall studs or roof rafters exposed and visible from the interior.
Uses: Gazebo Framing, Upgraded Wall or Roof Framing
Cedar Profiles
Sheet goods, such as OSB and plywood, are used to sheath the floor, roof, and (where required by code) walls. Sheathing ties framing members together to form one unified, cohesive system, providing lateral strength and resisting shear forces.
7/16” OSBOriented Strand Board (OSB) is made from compressed wood strands layered and adhered together to form 4’ x 8’ sheets. It’s used to sheath walls and small shed roofs.
Uses: Wall Sheathing, Roof Sheathing, Enhanced Siding Package
1/2” Spruce PlywoodSpruce plywood is not only more visually appealing than OSB, it’s also structurally superior. Choose spruce plywood (½”, ⅝”,or ¾”) as an upgrade from standard 7/16” OSB for wall and/or roof sheathing.
Uses: Wall Sheathing, Roof Sheathing
1/2” Pressure Treated PlywoodPressure treated (PT) plywood is ideal for areas exposed to moisture (for example: under the floor framing to contain insulation) and can also help deter insect attacks. Consider upgrading from spruce to PT for your floor sheathing.
Uses: Underside of Floor Framing, Floor/Wall/Roof Sheathing
5/8” T&G Spruce PlywoodTongue and groove plywood is used for floor sheathing.
Uses: Floor Sheathing
Summerwood is committed to sustainability: we source all our materials from companies that engage in environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.
Exterior finishes perform both aesthetic and functional roles: they help define the overall look of the building while providing an extra layer of protection for the structural elements underneath.
Interior finishes (think walls, floors, ceiling) offer yet another opportunity for you to customize your Summerwood design. Consider a simple upgrade from spruce framing to cedar for a warm, rustic effect, or choose to clad your interior walls and ceiling with pine T&G or cedar shiplap.
Visit our Siding Choices for more information on exterior and interior finish options.
Black / White TrimSave the hassle of painting with our pre-painted premium trim available in both black and white. Made of premium pine wood and pre-stained in a controlled environment, this trim is a very attractive maintenance-free option.
Uses: Trim, Column/Post Wraps, Windows/Garage Doors
Clear Western Red CedarFor a strikingly modern look, consider clear cedar (few to no knots) for your exterior finish.
Uses: Trim, Roof/Ceiling Boards, Column/Post Wraps, Window/Door Casings
VersatexVersatex (white) is a maintenance free PVC material that comes in two finishes, smooth and textured.
Uses: Trim, Column/Post Wraps, Window/Door Casings
¾” Pine T&GPine tongue and groove is an optional floor finish. Our ¾” T&G v-joint profile can be incorporated as a wall and/or ceiling finish.
Uses: Floor Finish, Wall or Ceiling Finish
Every Summerwood building combines the highest quality materials with expert craftsmanship and meticulous design.
Asphalt ShinglesAsphalt shingles are inexpensive but durable and easy to apply. They’re available in a variety of colors and textures. Black & brown 3-tab asphalt shingles are included with Summerwood’s installation packages.
Uses: Roof Finish
EPDM Roofing MembraneEPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) roofing membrane is a very durable, watertight finish, most commonly used for Summerwood buildings with flat roofs. Black EPDM is included with Summerwood’s installation packages.
Uses: Roof finish
Cedar ShinglesDurable and timeless, cedar shingles add natural dimension, warmth, and color to your building’s exterior. Our western red cedar shingles are premium grade,* 18” long, 7/16” thick at the butt end, and applied with 5 ½” exposure. (* No. 2 Perfection shingles have limited knots past the minimum 11-inch clear portion.)
Uses: Roof finish, Siding
Summerwood’s selection of doors and windows includes a wide range of choices to fit any style, size, or budget. Choose from cedar, vinyl, or metal.
Adding insulation allows you to use your Summerwood building all year long (in some cases, it may also be required to obtain a building permit). There are a number of methods for insulating your building to provide enjoyment year-round.
Talk to one of our design specialists to discuss your options.
The Enhanced Siding Package includes a layer of sheathing (OSB or plywood) and building wrap (a breathable, water-resistant air barrier) between the siding and the wall framing to give the structure shear strength and act as an additional plane of protection against moisture. If you plan on insulating your Summerwood building, start by adding our enhanced siding package.
Our standard hinges, door handles, latches, window openers and other types of hardware are all durable, non-corrosive, and exterior grade. Explore options for upgrading your door and window hardware to customize your design.
We’ve taken the time to research and select the appropriate fasteners for each and every building and application. Generally, brass screws and galvanized nails are used to prevent corrosion, disintegration and rust formation. Colour-matched galvanized nails are used to fasten Canexel siding, and stainless steel nails are used to fasten all cedar siding to prevent staining.
