In a market crowded with cedar, composites, and thermally modified options, Black Locust is carving out its place as one of the most durable and sustainable hardwood siding choices available. Known for its natural resistance to rot, insects, and decay, this 100% domestic species offers architects and builders a powerful alternative to tropical hardwoods and chemically treated softwoods—without compromising on aesthetics or longevity.
Whether used in sleek modern façades or warm natural cladding, Black Locust siding is as beautiful as it is resilient. Offered in a range of clean, versatile profiles—including V-Groove, Shiplap, and Beveled—it adapts seamlessly to a wide variety of exterior styles. And unlike many materials that require constant upkeep, Black Locust can weather gracefully to a silver-gray patina with virtually no maintenance, making it especially appealing for contemporary builds and coastal applications alike.
This article takes a closer look at how Black Locust siding performs in the real world—from technical specs and installation guidance to finish options and project case studies. If you're designing or building with longevity, performance, and natural elegance in mind, this is the siding solution you should know.
Siding Profiles Explained: V-Groove, Shiplap & Beveled
When it comes to choosing wood siding, the profile you select has a major impact on both the visual style and performance of your exterior cladding. Black Locust is available in three of the most time-tested and design-flexible profiles: V-Groove, Shiplap, and Beveled. Each offers a distinct look and installation method, making it easy to tailor your siding system to suit both architectural goals and building performance.
V-Groove siding is milled with a slight chamfer or “V” at the joint between boards, creating a crisp, shadow-lined effect that works beautifully on both vertical and horizontal installations. It’s a favorite for clean, modern façades or interior accent walls where subtle texture adds dimension without overwhelming the design.
Shiplap siding, by contrast, features a rabbeted edge that allows boards to overlap each other for a flush, uniform finish. This profile has surged in popularity for its contemporary-meets-rustic appeal, and it provides excellent weather protection due to the snug fit between boards. For those unfamiliar with the differences, Fine Homebuilding’s guide to choosing siding offers a helpful overview of how these and other profiles stack up in the field.
Beveled siding—also known as clapboard—is milled so that each board tapers from thick to thin, creating a traditional lapped effect when installed horizontally. This style is commonly used in classic American architecture and coastal homes, where the layered look offers timeless appeal along with effective rain shedding.
No matter the profile, all Black Locust siding is crafted with square ends and smooth surfaces, ready to be installed as-is or adapted into a rainscreen system. With dimensional stability, clean lines, and high visual impact, these profiles give designers and builders the flexibility to meet a wide range of aesthetic and performance goals.
Product Specs & Millwork Quality
At the heart of Black Locust siding’s performance is the quality of its milling. Each board is precision-planed for a smooth finish and tight fit, offering a premium appearance that aligns with high-end architectural expectations. Unlike many mass-produced softwood options, Black Locust siding is milled to custom-grade standards—allowing builders, architects, and clients to achieve a level of detail and consistency that elevates the entire façade.
Black Locust siding is available in nominal 1x6 and 1x4 profiles, which finish at ¾" x 5¼" and ¾" x 3¼", respectively. These dimensions provide flexibility in layout and rhythm, depending on the profile selected. Boards are square-ended for clean alignment and tight seams, with no end-matching, ensuring control and precision during installation.
Standard lengths range from 3 to 8 feet in random lengths, but fixed lengths in 6', 8', 10', and 12' are also available upon request. This combination of options makes it easy to reduce jobsite waste while adapting to specific design patterns or wall layouts.
All siding is run smooth through the planer, giving it a refined, consistent face that accepts fasteners cleanly and lies flat against furring or sheathing systems. For those planning installations over a rainscreen, the straightness and stability of Black Locust make it a reliable material to work with across a wide range of substrates and climate zones.
Siding is carefully wrapped and shipped via LTL freight to job sites across the country, protected from moisture and surface damage during transit. This ensures that even high-end residential or commercial projects with long lead times receive materials in excellent condition—ready to install upon delivery.
While Black Locust can accept stains or paints, it's worth noting that doing so introduces long-term maintenance responsibilities. One of the key advantages of this species is that it performs exceptionally well without any finish at all, allowing the wood to weather naturally and evenly. By choosing Black Locust, clients gain not only a high-performance cladding material but also the peace of mind that comes with low maintenance and lasting good looks.
For those estimating material quantities, check out this helpful square foot to linear foot calculator to streamline your takeoffs and ordering process.
Why Choose Black Locust?
When it comes to exterior siding, few materials combine strength, sustainability, and beauty like Black Locust. Often compared to tropical hardwoods like Ipe or Batu, Black Locust delivers comparable performance with a major advantage: it's grown, harvested, and milled entirely in the United States. That means no long-haul imports, no rainforest deforestation, and no need for chemical treatment—just naturally durable wood that stands up to the elements.
What sets Black Locust apart is its extraordinary rot and insect resistance, achieved without additives or preservatives. Its dense cellular structure and high silica content create a natural barrier against decay, making it one of the most long-lasting siding species available. In real-world applications, properly installed Black Locust siding can last 30 to 40 years—and even longer in moderate climates. That puts it on par with Ipe, but without the supply chain volatility or ecological concerns.
Compared to softwoods like cedar or thermally modified products such as Accoya, Black Locust requires no chemical modification, heat treatment, or artificial stabilizers to perform outdoors. It’s 100% wood, 100% natural. And where cedar will require frequent re-sealing and is increasingly prone to early decay, Black Locust holds its line—aging gracefully over time, even in harsh environments.
From a design perspective, Black Locust also offers a level of authenticity and visual richness that composites and modified woods struggle to match. Its grain is tight and consistent, with golden honey tones that slowly transition to a silvery gray if left unfinished. For architects seeking warmth and texture without the maintenance burden, it’s a standout choice.
As interest in regional materials and sustainable design continues to grow, Black Locust positions itself as a siding material that speaks to both performance and values. It's durable, it’s local, and it’s time-tested—not just a design trend, but a material with integrity.
For a deeper look at how Black Locust compares to Ipe, check out our in-depth breakdown:
👉 Black Locust Deck Tiles vs. Ipe: Explore the Benefits
Where It Performs Best
Black Locust siding isn’t just a high-performance material on paper—it shines in the real world across a wide range of applications. From modern urban homes to coastal retreats and high-traffic public spaces, it consistently delivers on aesthetics, durability, and long-term value.
In residential architecture, Black Locust siding offers a perfect balance of natural beauty and minimal upkeep. Architects designing modern homes love the clean, linear grain and the way it plays with light over time—especially when installed in smooth V-Groove or Shiplap profiles. The wood’s ability to weather naturally means homeowners can enjoy the evolving character of the siding without the burden of repainting or resealing every few years.
In coastal environments, where salt air, high humidity, and wind-driven rain test even the toughest building materials, Black Locust excels. Its natural resistance to rot and insect attack makes it especially suited for waterfront homes, boardwalk-adjacent buildings, or beachfront resorts where longevity matters and maintenance access is limited.
In commercial and public buildings, Black Locust siding brings a tactile, inviting warmth to exterior walls while standing up to high exposure and constant use. Whether used on educational campuses, civic buildings, or hospitality spaces, it communicates an attention to material quality and environmental consideration—especially when paired with rainscreen systems for added envelope performance.
Because of its adaptability across profiles and project types, Black Locust has been successfully installed in everything from LEED-focused urban developments to rural cabins and museum entryways. It’s not limited to a specific aesthetic—it’s a material that supports a designer’s vision while performing under real-world conditions.
The result is a siding material that feels equally at home in high-concept residential architecture and mission-critical commercial applications. Wherever durability, sustainability, and natural elegance are priorities, Black Locust proves its value.
Installation Insights: What Builders Need to Know
Black Locust siding is designed not just for longevity, but for workability. Contractors and installers will find it straightforward to handle on site—especially when compared to tropical hardwoods, which often require pre-drilling and specialty tools due to their extreme density. While Black Locust is a hardwood, it can be cut and fastened with standard woodworking tools, making it accessible for a wide range of crews.
Boards are milled square-end and surfaced smooth, which means fewer surprises when stacking, aligning, and fastening. Whether you’re working with V-Groove, Shiplap, or Beveled profiles, installation follows traditional best practices for wood siding. Most builders install it over vertical furring strips or as part of a rainscreen system, allowing for airflow behind the boards and enhanced moisture management—especially critical in coastal or high-humidity zones.
Fastening methods vary slightly by profile and aesthetic intent. In general, Black Locust can be face-screwed using stainless steel fasteners or attached with hidden clip systems when the profile allows. Regardless of method, pre-drilling is recommended in colder climates or for extremely dry material to avoid splitting near ends or edges.
It’s worth noting that Black Locust doesn’t need any sealants or finishing to perform. This simplifies installation dramatically—no waiting for curing, no on-site staining, and no risk of chemical incompatibility. If clients do opt for a UV-resistant oil to retain the wood’s golden hue, that finishing step should be completed post-installation and with the understanding that it becomes a maintenance item.
Packaging is optimized for jobsite efficiency. Boards arrive lumber-wrapped and shipped via LTL freight, clearly labeled and ready to stage. Whether the job is a tight urban infill or a sprawling coastal home, builders can expect to receive clean, consistent boards that require minimal adjustment and allow for fast, clean installation.
For contractors who’ve worked with cedar, Accoya, or Ipe, Black Locust provides a best-of-both-worlds experience—natural beauty and toughness without the hassle of constant upkeep or extreme brittleness.
Maintenance & Natural Weathering
One of the most compelling advantages of Black Locust siding is its ability to perform over time with little to no maintenance. Unlike softwoods that require frequent resealing or exotic hardwoods that demand oiling to maintain appearance, Black Locust is built for long-term exposure. Its natural resistance to decay, fungi, and insects means there’s no need for chemical treatments—just proper installation and an understanding of how it will weather.
Over time, Black Locust siding develops a natural silver-gray patina, similar to teak or cedar but more uniform due to its density and fine grain. This color shift typically begins within the first year of exposure and gradually deepens into a refined, driftwood-like tone. It’s a look that many architects and homeowners prefer, especially for modern and coastal designs where materials are celebrated in their raw form.
For clients who wish to maintain the original golden-brown hue, a penetrating UV-resistant wood oil can be applied after installation. However, this becomes a maintenance commitment, requiring reapplication every 12–18 months depending on climate and sun exposure. Once the finish wears, it must be reapplied or allowed to weather naturally—there is no in-between.
What makes Black Locust especially appealing to property owners is the freedom to choose: you can install it and let it age naturally with no upkeep, or finish it for color retention, knowing the wood’s core performance is unaffected either way.
No special cleaning routines are required. A simple rinse or occasional wash with a soft brush and water is typically all that’s needed to remove dust, pollen, or surface buildup. For commercial or public projects where aesthetics are closely maintained, this low-effort upkeep is a significant cost saver over time.
Ultimately, Black Locust is one of the rare siding materials that combines hands-off maintenance with a sophisticated, evolving appearance—making it an ideal solution for clients who want timeless design without constant attention.
Case Studies: Black Locust Siding in Action
Across the country, Black Locust siding has been specified in projects that prioritize sustainability, durability, and design excellence. From cultural institutions to university campuses, these installations highlight how our siding performs under real-world conditions—and why more architects are choosing it for their most demanding and high-visibility projects.
1. David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center – Pocantico, NY
Completed in 2021, the David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center uses Black Locust siding to create a seamless dialogue between built and natural environments. Located in Pocantico, New York, the center reflects a commitment to sustainability while delivering a refined, modern exterior. Our siding was chosen not only for its weather resistance but for its ability to visually integrate with the surrounding landscape, emphasizing both material integrity and ecological design.
2. Chatham University Eden Hall Campus – Pittsburgh, PA
A national model in sustainable campus planning, Chatham University's Eden Hall Campus—designed by Mithun and completed in 2016—showcases Black Locust as a key exterior cladding element. The project focused on closed-loop design principles, making Black Locust an ideal fit thanks to its domestic sourcing, long lifespan, and zero-chemical durability. The siding supports both the campus's environmental goals and its forward-thinking architectural identity.
3. WCU STEM Building / Apodaca Science Building – Cullowhee, NC
Western Carolina University’s Apodaca Science Building is a next-generation STEM facility that merges performance-driven design with material resilience. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, the building features Black Locust siding as part of a high-performance exterior envelope. Chosen for its long-term durability, minimal maintenance, and refined appearance, our siding helps the facility meet both functional and aesthetic benchmarks for modern education infrastructure.
These projects demonstrate the broad applicability of Black Locust siding—from academic campuses to arts institutions—showing that beauty, sustainability, and performance don’t have to be traded off. They can coexist.
A Smarter Siding Choice
Black Locust siding brings together everything today’s architects, builders, and property owners are looking for: natural durability, timeless beauty, and long-term performance with minimal maintenance. Whether you're designing a modern residence, specifying materials for a high-performance academic building, or sourcing for a coastal retreat, Black Locust delivers the strength and stability of tropical hardwoods—without the ecological cost or chemical treatment.
Offered in versatile profiles like V-Groove, Shiplap, and Beveled, our siding adapts to a wide range of design goals while standing up to the harshest conditions. It installs cleanly, weathers gracefully, and performs for decades. Backed by real-world case studies and specified by leading firms nationwide, it’s more than a sustainable option—it’s a better one.
If you’re ready to elevate your exterior design with a material that balances aesthetics, integrity, and ease of use, Black Locust siding is ready to meet the moment.
👉 Explore the full product range:
www.blacklocustlumber.com/product-range/black-locust-siding
📦 Ready to get a feel for the material?
Order a sample here and experience the difference Black Locust makes.
For more on best practices, comparisons, and siding system insights, check out this helpful Fine Homebuilding guide to siding types, or use this square foot to linear foot calculator for estimating materials on your next project.
