Woodn't You Know Wednesday: Why You Should Consider Shiplap

Beautiful barn used for a wedding venue with shiplap interior walls.

Shiplap is a type of wooden board that has a groove cut into the top and bottom, which allows a snug fit (the joint that connects the boards) with a tight seal. Originally used to waterproof ships, its practical effectiveness against the elements proved useful on barns, sheds, and rustic buildings. Five years ago Joanna Gaines made these boards trendy, as shiplap was her go-to material for interior design in HGTV’s Fixer Upper.

At Steel Pines, we have most recently used shiplap in the construction of horse barn run-ins, cabin renovations and shed exteriors. Since the pandemic began, the price of plywood has skyrocketed. We are seeing customers turn to traditional shiplap to replace plywood for a more affordable and better looking building alternative for interiors and exteriors. 

Rough cut shiplap details in a horse barn run-in.

As a custom construction and sawmill company, we are able to complete your shiplap project from start to finish, or mill a custom order for you to DIY. Our rough cut boards are milled from local timbers, so choose Steel Pines and support a local, sustainable, and family-owned business! Call us today at 518-528-2266.

Entryway with shiplap walls.

Reclaimed barn wood shiplap exterior siding.