BarkClad introduces new SmartBark bark siding varieties
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 19, 2014
CONTACT: Lydia Carrington, (828) 231-1793 or lydia@brucemont.com
CANTON, NC – BarkClad, a leader in the bark siding industry, has released two new varieties of its eco-friendly SmartBark engineered bark siding.
Now available in Sourwood and Walnut finishes, SmartBark provides the distinct look of natural bark with the added benefit of being maintenance free. The newest varieties join BarkClad’s original engineered bark siding, which mimics Poplar, released earlier this year.
With a 25-year limited warranty, all SmartBark products are an affordable and sustainable solution for homeowners who want the rustic look of natural bark.
“We’re giving builders, architects and homeowners some great new siding options with our Sourwood and Walnut engineered barks,” said Danny Heatherly, Owner of BarkClad. “It’s exciting to be adding to our line a growing variety of barks, some of which are no longer naturally available.”
Versatile and easy to install, SmartBark comes in a variety of shake sizes and colors and can be used on exterior and interior surfaces, as full or partial house siding, on porches, decks, and facades, or as accents inside the home. It is made of a special poly-blend that is resistant to weather and rot.
The estimated cost of installed SmartBark is approximately $2 per square foot less than natural bark siding. And with an R-value of 4.7 per inch, the engineered siding contributes to homeowners’ annual energy savings.
SmartBark is the newest product for BarkClad, a bark and building supply company founded in 1999 in the western North Carolina mountains by second-generation timber farmer Danny Heatherly. For more than 15 years, BarkClad has been providing the highest-quality natural bark products in the U.S. and Canada and exceptional customer service. BarkClad is an FSC-certified company and member of the Western North Carolina Green Building Council.
For more information on SmartBark and the other BarkClad products, visit www.barkclad.com.
Photo Credit: BarkClad
Photo Caption: BarkClad has released two new varieties of its eco-friendly SmartBark engineered bark siding. SmartBark provides a distinct look of natural bark with the added benefit of being maintenance free. The newest varieties join BarkClad’s original engineered bark siding, which mimics Poplar, released earlier this year.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 17, 2014
CONTACT: Lydia Carrington, (828) 231-1793 or lydia@brucemont.com
BarkClad is strategic provider of bark siding for MossCreek rustic home designs
CANTON, NC – BarkClad, a leader in the bark siding industry, announced today that it is the strategic provider of bark building materials for MossCreek, a custom designer of rustic American-style homes.
Through this new relationship, BarkClad will offer its signature Natural Poplar Bark and new SmartBark engineered bark siding for use in MossCreek home design projects. The new strategy formalizes the longstanding relationship of the two companies and emphasizes their commitment to the highest quality in home design.
“MossCreek knows rustic home design and building better than anyone,” said Danny Heatherly, Owner of BarkClad. “We are proud to be the strategic supplier and part of the MossCreek tradition.”
Founded in 1999 in the mountains of western North Carolina, BarkClad has built a reputation nationwide and in Canada on providing the highest-quality natural bark products and exceptional customer service. Every BarkClad product, including all natural products and the innovative SmartBark engineered bark siding, is stamped with the BarkClad seal of approval guaranteeing the highest quality in the industry. BarkClad is an FSC-certified company and member of the Western North Carolina Green Building Council.
MossCreek is a leader in the American log and timber frame homes industry, specializing in ready-to-purchase home plans and custom design. MossCreek homes can be found in exclusive communities and estate locations throughout the U.S.
“BarkClad has always been a welcome product on MossCreek homes,” said Allen Halcomb, president of MossCreek. “We are excited that our two independent companies will be working together to promote the use of bark products on more homes throughout America.”
Visit www.barkclad.com for more information on BarkClad and its natural and engineered bark products.
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Photo Credit: BarkClad
Photo Caption: BarkClad, a leader in the bark siding industry, is now the strategic provider of bark building materials for MossCreek, a custom designer of rustic American-style homes. Through this new relationship, BarkClad will offer its signature Natural Poplar Bark and new SmartBark engineered bark siding for use in MossCreek home design projects. Visit www.barkclad.com for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2014
CONTACT: Lydia Carrington, (828) 231-1793 or lydia@brucemont.com
BarkClad Natural Siding rooted in tradition
Trusted industry leader produces durable and distinct poplar bark siding
CANTON, NC – It’s the busiest time of the year for BarkClad, a bark siding and building-supply company based in the southern Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina.
During a few short weeks every summer, the BarkClad team heads into the woods for the bark of the Southern Tulip Poplar, a hearty and abundant tree whose characteristic to grow straight and tall makes it an ideal source for natural cladding. Working with loggers who are cutting poplar timber for the furniture and plywood industries, BarkClad harvests its bark only from already-felled trees, saving what otherwise would go to waste to create a beautiful natural siding product.
It’s a painstaking process, and not much different than the technique used by mountain residents centuries ago.
“We only harvest bark 60 days out of the entire year, so we have to move quickly. The rest of the year, that tree will not release its bark correctly and we won’t be able to get a good shake,” said Danny Heatherly, a second-generation timber farmer who founded BarkClad in 1999. “The result – a distinctive, durable and long-lasting natural siding – is definitely worth the effort.”
BarkClad has built a reputation nationwide on providing the highest-quality natural bark siding and building products and exceptional customer service. Their distinctive bark is found on the exteriors and interiors of fine rustic homes and lodges, lake cabins, seaside cottages, and natural commercial properties across North America. BarkClad products are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, a designation that ensures the bark has come only from well-managed forests.
BarkClad’s natural bark is hand-peeled and cut at the tree harvest site, then carefully carried, not pulled or dragged, to a pallet where it is stacked flat for drying. This “hands-on” process minimizes damage and maintains the bark’s natural integrity.
Back at the mill, the bark is placed in a kiln where it is dried slowly at a constant heat, a process that also destroys any insects, eggs, larvae, and fungi that may be present. Once drying is complete, the bark is cut to specification and ready to ship.
“Every piece of our bark siding is touched seven distinct times before it ever even reaches the customer,” said Heatherly. “Our bark is truly a handcrafted product. That’s something we’re very proud of.”
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 heights of 18, 24 and 36 inches. Custom sizes are available on request.
Scott Westendorf, president of Chinquapin Builders in Cashiers, NC, has been using BarkClad products for more than seven years.
“We use a lot of the natural bark siding on homes we do,” said Westendorf, who specializes in high-end custom-built homes. “Our clients like the beauty of natural wood and BarkClad’s poplar bark has a look that is of the highest quality.”
Building on its commitment to preserving the environment, BarkClad recently introduced an engineered bark siding product that is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to the natural siding. SmartBark is manufactured from a polymer blend in a patented process that produces the same rich and rustic look of traditional poplar bark siding.
Please visit www.barkclad.com for more information on BarkClad and its natural and engineered bark products.
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Benefits of BarkClad Natural Bark
Made of 100-percent USA Tulip Poplar bark
Harvested by hand
Long lasting and durable
Every piece is unique in color and texture
Available in three grades for exterior and interior use
Strict sustainability guidelines
Certified by Forest Stewardship Council
Member of Western North Carolina Green Building Council
Trusted industry leader
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PHOTO CREDIT: BarkClad
PHOTO CAPTION: BarkClad Natural Poplar Bark Siding is found on the exteriors and interiors of fine rustic homes and lodges, lake cabins, seaside cottages, and natural commercial properties across North America. Based in the southern Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina, the company has built a reputation nationwide on providing the highest-quality natural bark siding and building products and exceptional customer service.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2014
CONTACT: Lydia Carrington, (828) 231-1793 or lydia@brucemont.com
BarkClad introduces SmartBark engineered bark siding
Trusted industry leader develops sustainable alternative to natural bark
CANTON, NC – BarkClad, a leader in the bark siding industry, introduces SmartBark, the world’s first engineered bark siding.
Designed to mimic the rich beauty of traditional poplar bark siding, SmartBark provides the distinct look of the natural product with the added benefit of being maintenance free. With a 30-year limited warranty, it is a smart and affordable solution for homeowners who want the rustic look of natural bark.
“We’ve been working for the past several years to perfect a sustainable alternative to natural bark siding, and SmartBark is the exciting result,” said Danny Heatherly, Owner of BarkClad. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring to the marketplace this ingenious new product that builds on our company’s long tradition of excellence.”
Manufactured of a polymer blend in an innovative patented process, SmartBark has the texture and look of natural siding, but is resistant to weather and rot, and does not require the maintenance for pests and moisture like natural bark.
Versatile and easy to install, SmartBark panels are 16-by-18-inches and can be used on exterior and interior surfaces, as full or partial house siding, on porches, decks and facades, or as accents inside the home. The siding is available in three natural colors – Weathered Brown, Medium Brown and Silverback Gray – or can be painted using any latex finish.
The cost of installed SmartBark is approximately 20 percent less than natural bark. And with an R-value of 4.7 per inch, the engineered siding contributes to homeowners’ annual energy savings.
“SmartBark is authentic and affordable. It’s easy to install and virtually maintenance free,” Summers said. “For builders, developers or homeowners who like the look of natural bark siding, but would prefer to use a sustainable product, there’s no other choice.”
SmartBark is the newest product for BarkClad, a bark and building supply company founded in 1999 in the western North Carolina mountains by second-generation timber farmer Danny Heatherly. For more than 19 years, BarkClad has been providing the highest-quality natural bark products in the U.S. and Canada and exceptional customer service. BarkClad is an FSC-certified company.
For more information on SmartBark and the other BarkClad products, visit www.barkclad.com.
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SmartBark benefits over natural bark
- 25-year warranty
- Easier to install
- Lower installation cost
- R-value of 4.7 per inch
- Fire resistant
- Does not rot, mold, crack or curl
- Does not darken, bleach, shrink or expand
- Does not require bug treatment or attract woodpeckers
- Paintable and washable
- Low maintenance
- Patented VaporLock moisture barrier
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2014
CONTACT: Lydia Carrington, (828) 231-1793 or lydia@brucemont.com
SmartBark: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Is SmartBark less expensive than natural bark siding?
The cost of installed SmartBark is on average $2 per square foot less than that of natural bark siding. The VaporLock design of SmartBark reduces installation requirements therefore reducing installation costs.
Is SmartBark easier to install than natural bark siding?
Yes, SmartBark installs quickly and easily because it is lighter in weight and more uniform than natural products.
What maintenance does SmartBark require?
SmartBark is virtually maintenance-free.
How long has SmartBark been used as an exterior cladding?
BarkClad has been exhaustively testing the SmartBark product in all types of environments for more than seven years with excellent results.
Does SmartBark have insulating properties?
When installed correctly, SmartBark has an R-value of 4.7 per inch.
Is SmartBark flame resistant?
Yes, SmartBark has low flame spread
Is SmartBark available in different sizes?
Currently, SmartBark with VaporLock is available in 16-by-18-inch panels only. FlatBack SmartBark is available in random widths and nearly unlimited lengths.
Is SmartBark available in different colors?
Yes, SmartBark is available in three colors — poplar gray, chestnut, and earthtone
Is SmartBark paintable?
Yes, SmartBark can be painted using any Exterior grade paint-
What fastener is used to install SmartBark?
Panels should be installed with exterior deck screws that most closely match the SmartBark color.
What surfaces can SmartBark be affixed to?
SmartBark is best installed on a substrate of plywood or particleboard, wrapped with approved house wrap.
Is every piece of SmartBark identical?
No. Just like natural bark siding, SmartBark comes in mixed colors, textures and widths.
Can SmartBark be installed inside?
Yes, SmartBark can be used on the interior of a home, on full or partial walls or as accents.
For more information on SmartBark and the other BarkClad products, visit www.barkclad.com
Click below to download high resolution images of the photos listed above:
SmartBark Close Up
SmartBark Install
Photo Credit: BarkClad
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About the BarkClad Company
BarkClad is a trusted leader in the bark siding and building supply industry. Founded in 1999 in the mountains of western North Carolina, BarkClad has built a reputation nationwide and in Canada on providing the highest-quality natural bark products and exceptional customer service. Every BarkClad product, including all natural products and the innovative SmartBark engineered bark siding, is stamped with the BarkClad seal of approval guaranteeing the highest quality in the industry. BarkClad is an FSC-certified company.
Danny Heatherly, Owner
Danny Heatherly is a second-generation timber farmer, with more than two decades of experience procuring and harvesting hardwoods in the Southern Appalachian mountains. He founded BarkClad in 1999 to concentrate on developing natural bark products, including the company’s signature hand-peeled and kiln-dried poplar siding. His latest product, SmartBark, is an innovative and affordable solution for homeowners and builders seeking a more sustainable approach to a centuries-old homebuilding technique.
Click below to download high resolution images of the photos listed above:
About the Company
Danny Heatherly
Up The Right Tree. Entrepreneur grows bark siding business in Asheville area.
by Dale Neal
Asheville-Citizen Times, July 26, 2014
BETHEL – Danny Heatherly knows the secrets of trees after a lifetime cutting timber in the woods.
Take the tulip poplar, one of the most common species in the Blue Ridge mountains, which makes a steady supply for furniture and plywood makers. “There are two months out of the year when you can take the clothes right off that tree,” Heatherly said. “Try to peel a poplar the rest of the year, and you get nothing. There’s not a tool you can use to separate the bark from the wood.”
The Haywood County native has found a fancy use for that bark, once thrown away as waste product or at best ground into mulch. He launched BarkClad in 1999.
Now his company employs up to 20 people in season, typically June and July, peeling, cutting and kiln-drying up to 140,000 square feet of tulip poplar bark. Sold year round, those natural shingles are dressing up exclusive homes in all 50 states.
Heatherly is particular about buying bark from the many timbermen who pull into his mill yard in Bethel each summer. He checks to make sure all the wood coming through BarkClad carries certification from the Forest Stewardship Council.
“I don’t buy bark from anyone I don’t know. Some of these guys are stealing the wood from the government or their grandmother. It only makes sense if we are sustainably harvesting the forests,” Heatherly said.
The bark is carefully peeled by hand and carried out from the logging site, rather than dragged to protect the fragile product. His workers stack the bark for drying up to seven days in massive kiln rooms at his mill. The process removes the excess moisture along with any insects, larvae and fungi.
Once dried, cut and properly installed on a house, shingles will last 30 years at least with minimal upkeep. There’s no need to spray or treat the wood with any chemicals. And Heatherly says the shingles will hold up well in the worst storm. “You’d have to take two claw hammers to remove it.”
Many homeowners like the unique colors and textures of each shingle, even those cut from the same tree. The south side of a poplar will show more silver colors, while around on the north and shady side, the bark grows darker with more moss and lichens.
Bark saved his business back in the Great Recession when housing markets and construction business collapsed nationwide.
While he had a hard time selling timber, the demand for the bark shingles remained strong during the downturn. “I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said.
But Heatherly isn’t content to rest on just old business. He might just be the only business owner in all of rural Bethel with his own patent.
While the natural bark shingle appeals to high-end homeowners and builders, he wanted to put a product in the hands of do-it-yourselfers, who may want easier installation.
He first knocked at the door of Western Carolina University’s Center for Rapid Product Realization around five years ago.
Using new scanning equipment, Monty Graham and his graduate students were able to reverse-engineer what a tulip poplar tree takes seasons to grow into massive digital files Heatherly could use in creating a mold.
The center regularly gets requests from area businesses, said Graham, who fields a call or so a week from a company or innovator needing help with a prototype.
“We’re here to provide engineering support to industry and entrepreneurs like Danny.”
Last year, BarkClad launched the SmartBark shingle with a patented interlocking system on the back.
Using the technology, Heatherly can also replicate the look of bark from other trees such as cherry and American chestnut, which can’t be sustainable harvested from the wild.
The synthetic shingle is made in NC, making BarkClad among a select number of North Carolina companies with all locally grown and manufactured products.
“Everything happens in North Carolina and that’s rare. I’m very proud of that,” said Danny Heatherly.
“It’s such a cool product with a story. We could count on cash flow from the first day. We use the profits from the natural back to fund the SmartBark.”
“I needed somebody smart to run the day to day for me,” Heatherly said. “Brian is taking the company to the next level, while I make sure he has plenty of shingles to sell.”
The company has tripled its revenues in the past year and Heatherly could see doubling sales in the coming year.
Their products are already winning national attention. Moss Creek, one of the world’s leading timber frame architects based in Knoxville, just signed BarkClad as a vendor last week.
Bethel will become a bigger player, providing bark shingles to high-end homes nationwide.
“This Old House,” the national remodeling TV series and website, recently named BarkClad’s SmartBark as one of the top 100 products of 2014. “We‘re getting a lot of great response,” Heatherly said.
Heatherly would like to grow the bark business into a $5 million to $10 million company in the next few years.
“We want to see how far we can take it,” Heatherly said.
To read more about BarkClad’s products, partners and process, visit https://www.barkclad.com.