Barn Doors

Barn Doors……..Still Popular!
Barn door hardware might be the biggest trend in building and remodeling we have seen in a while.
Farmers throughout the Midwest are puzzled because the brilliant-yet-practical use of a barn door hardware
is not news to them. It’s simple and utilitarian. It opens the barn doors….it closes the barn doors. Yawn…
So, why are we still infatuated with barn door hardware? Because ANY door can be hung on barn door
hardware. A curvy, carved, stained wood door…a painted white, leaded glass door…a flush birch, clear
coated door…and, (that’s right) ….even a rustic BARN door. The options are quite honestly, endless. All that
limits the style of a barn door is the finish of the hardware and how wide the opening is, i.e. how many
doors you’ll need to cover it!
In addition, a barn door can be an ideal solution when a pocket door won’t work. Let’s imagine a tricky
transition between hallway and laundry room. A pocket door won’t work simply due to HVAC, plumbing or
electrical in the wall and a door swinging into the hallway or into the laundry creates a foot traffic issue. A
barn door would quietly hide that laundry room and the pile of dirty clothes in it, quietly and beautifully!
Thank You!
Pam Robideau

Employee Spotlight: Lee McDowall

I grew up in Becker, MN and graduated from Becker High School. I married my high school sweetheart, Tiffany, in 2014. We have two children, Sierra (2) and Owen (5 months). I enjoy spending time outdoors biking and camping with my family.

I started in the construction business by building pole sheds. In February 2017, my family and I moved back to Becker and I started working at Country Lumber. I started as a delivery driver and have recently been promoted to yard foreman.

*Lee McDowall was part of the Country Lumber team until 2021 when he went back into building and remodeling.

Shiplap Siding

“Shiplap is a type of wooden board used commonly as exterior siding in the construction of residences, barns, sheds, and outbuildings. It is either rough-sawn 1″ or milled 3/4″ pine or similarly inexpensive wood between 3″ and 10″ wide with a 3/8″ – 1/2″ rabbet on opposite sides of each edge.”

Shiplap is one of the most commonly requested materials we quote for people here at Country Lumber.  With the Gaines (see what I did there?) it is making in the industry, we are seeing the popularity rise and the implementation grow to different applications, profiles, and species.

It is one of the most versatile products on the market today.   Used on fireplaces, accent walls, complete rooms, wainscot and ceilings.     The wooden panels are easy to install, create a good seal for water management and are popular both for modern and rustic appearances.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for shiplap products…

Size- Shiplap is available in numerous dimensions.   Always verify the depth and reveal of the product you are researching.  Not all shiplap is the same.  Most common are the 8” or the 6” depths.   These have a board width but depending on the overlap may only be 5” reveal or 7” reveal or even less.  Take this into consideration when figuring your square footage required to complete your project.

Profile- Shiplap can be rough or smooth. Also the gap between boards could be tight fitting or a small space between the panels often referred to as a “nickel gap”.

Color- Shiplap is commonly painted or stained depending on your design.   With paint the entire color wheel is your option.  With stain certain products may not achieve the desired look depending on the species selected.  Your shiplap will be what you make of it- It couldn’t be easier to make your project inviting, and a perfectly customizable accent!

If you have ideas, questions or would like to get some samples. Please swing in to see us! Happy to help with you Shiplap project!

Employee Spotlight: Kevin Rasset (Kegger)

I have worked at Country Lumber since April of 2005.  I drive our boom truck.  Deliveries can take me all over the state, but generally I’m in the twin cities metro area.

I’ve been married to Rose for 35 years, we have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.  My favorite things to do outside of work are 4 wheeling, motorcycling and cooking.  I own a 1966 Dodge Coronet that’s driven in the summer.

 

Kegger’s wife Rose keeps our lunchroom filled sweet treats all year long.

Employee Spotlight: Rick Olson

I have been with Country Lumber since the beginning, 1983. I helped with the building in 1983 and opening the doors in 1984. I am currently the yard foreman. I was born and raised in Becker and currently live on the family farm. I have been married to Bonnie for 26 years, have 2 children (Kari and Cory), 7 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Bonnie and I still farm our family land. Over the years I have seen lots of changes here at Country Lumber and in the industry. Country Lumber has been a great employer and Shooter has been a good friend all these years.

*After 35 years at Country Lumber, Rick retired in 2018

Siding Options for your home

 

LP SmartSide

If you have been through a hailstorm, you may have wondered if there is a better siding product out there. LP SmartSide may be a good option for you. LP SmartSide is a treated engineered wood siding made up of either wood strands for a wood grain surface or wood fibers for a smooth surface. That along with a mixture of waxes, zinc borate, a paper overlay, and some resins gives it their SmartGuard protection. This process gives LP SmartSide a 5/50 year warranty. Materials and labor are covered for the first 5 years and the material has a 50 year prorated warranty. LP SmartSide is offered in a full line of lap sidings, panel sidings, trim boards, shakes, and soffit panels, with many sizes offered. It comes either factory prefinished or with a primed finish that can be customized in the field.

The convenient 16’ lengths make for less seams and light weight along with a full line of accessories make it easy to install.

If you like the idea of a solid, durable, and resilient siding for your home or project, come into the Country Lumber showroom to see and touch it.

Thanks

Employee Spotlight: Randy Wirz

I have been with Country Lumber, in Sales and Estimating since 2009. I have been in the lumber business for approx. 25 years in truss design, production, and sales. I graduated from St. Francis high school, then attended Northwest Technical Institute for Architectural Drafting and Design. My background is in carpentry and drafting and I still enjoy building things and helping people out with their projects.

I have been married to Nikki for 23 years and we have a 14 year old daughter Zoey. We are a busy family and live in Nowthen, Mn. which is where I grew up, with our 2 Labrador Retrievers.

In my spare time I enjoy all kinds of hunting, fishing, and spending time at the family cabin.

Give me a call if I can help you out with a project.

Forever Barnwood

“New meets old”

When you hear the term “Barnwood”, you think of beautiful aged wood used for many different projects around your home. However, the traditional barnwood that is reclaimed to use in building projects comes with its down sides. Timely process to remove from barns and prepare for its end use makes it a quite costly solution, may contain hazards such as lead from the paint used years ago, formaldehyde, arsenic (from pesticides used years ago around the farm), amongst other natural things over many years of being exposed such as dirt, oil, mold, also hidden nails can be an issue when cutting on the jobsite. Read more

Employee Spotlight: Brock Welker

Growing up in Coon Rapids, MN seems like every kid wants to be a big league baseball player.  Shortly after realizing this was not in the cards for me I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I spent my first two years traveling the world with the majority in the far east regions as an Air Defense Controller.  I ended up in 29 Palms California as Senior crew chief of over 1000 square mile of live fire training area helping to prepare men and women from all branches of the military for conflicts in the more desert regions of the middle east and Afghanistan.  While rewarding and proud to serve I knew it wasn’t my calling.

After returning home, I quickly became involved in the building materials industry. With a strong family background, I joined the Country Lumber team in 2005 shortly after relocating to the area and newly married.  Ten years plus of working as Yard personnel, Driver, Dispatcher, prepared me for a new adventure in sales.  My current position here is rewarding as I help contractors and homeowners bring their projects to life by supplying them with the materials, planning and advice to get what they need when they need it. Read more

Aluminum AFCO Railings

“Carefree” is the goal of outdoor living space.  Aluminum AFCO-Rail can help you meet your “carefree” goal with a virtually maintenance-free product that comes with a limited lifetime structural warranty.

The robust Aluminum AFCO-Rail system is made of extruded aluminum that will never rust and exceeds IBC and IRC requirements to provide the structure you need.  With seven durable, AAMA-2604 power coat paint finishes available for all its unique series, Aluminum AFCO-Rail can give your space the style you want. Read more