Hello from a fellow Puget Sounder! Hubby and I are currently researching the building of our dream home up on Whidbey Island (our property looks out over Saratoga Passage) and we have visions of a shingle sided cottage. Like you, we're hoping for low maintenance, and our research so far seems to indicate that if you pick the right shingles and if they are applied properly, they should easily last 30 to 50 years with little or no maintenance required. (We built a very nice arbor and fence 20 years ago with Alaskan yellow cedar; the wood has held up very well, despite lots of shade and rain, with no rot and without the need for stain or paint - we just allowed it to age to a nice silvery gray.) Check out this link for an interesting article discussing the benefits of wood shingles, as well as the alternatives, such as Hardie plank. http://mainehomedesign.com/rotating-features/404-cant-decide-on-siding.html Best of luck on your new home!

A similar product to Azek at about 40% less cost is KOMA trimboards. I used this prodcut recently and couldn't tell the difference from Azek. You can check their site for dealer locations -www.KOMAtrimboards.com You mentioned that you'd have to paint. No so with the Koma or Azek. They come white. As for poplar, like any other wood, you want to keep the column wraps about 1/2" of the floor to prevent rotting from water. Cover that gap with trim. Take a look at vinyl beadboard for your soffits and overhang. You'll be glad you did years from now when you don't have to paint it. I've blended M/Free products, both vinyl and aluminum, and they actually work well together. Good luck on your project. The Porch Guy Here is a link that might be useful: My Album

You might consider the flooring against the kitchen cabinets more than worrying about the ceiling. After seeing the darker wood leaning on what is presumably cabinet material, the dark wood is wonderful in bringing out the grain. Yes, I had dark wood floors for seven years and did not find them difficult in the least, but we have no children or animals. Put in a sweep vac pan and use a microfiber cloth mop to dust. Second choice is to look at what Annie offered. Some nice, easy to clean choices there. edited to add: Medium wood floor might give it that more wood, wood, wood...feeling. This post was edited by voila on Sat, May 31, 14 at 15:28

OK so when it comes to stains, I want an environmental sound product that is safe for the kids to play on. Should I look for a redwood stain that is water based? Any brands you recommend? As this post has been going on I found the best type of wood to use. Recycled. I found a guy that was getting rid of his play structure that is about eight to ten years old. It is made of redwood. It is strong...I hung on it myself and at 200lbs it is more than strong enough for little kids. So I will sand this down and refinish it. So what kind of stain should I use? thanks is advance. jack