STK Cedar 1x — Crestone finish, T&G profile
STK Cedar 2x — Elbert finish, Shiplap profile
STK Cedar Rough Face — Custom Brown/Beige finish
Cedar Smooth Face — Siding & Soffit, Custom Orange T&G
Cedar has been the defining exterior material of Colorado mountain architecture for generations. Its natural warmth, dimensional stability, and ability to hold a prefinished stain set it apart from every engineered alternative. When a client wants a home that looks like it belongs in the mountains, cedar is almost always the answer.
Rocky Mountain Finishes supplies prefinished cedar siding, soffit, and trim across our full mountain corridor. Here is what you need to know about the grades, profiles, and finishing options we carry.
Cedar is graded by knot content, grain orientation, and surface texture. The grade you choose affects price, appearance, and long-term performance. We carry three primary grades.
STK is the workhorse of mountain construction. It allows tight, sound knots throughout the board — knots that add natural character without compromising structural integrity. STK cedar is the most widely specified grade in the Colorado market and offers the best balance of cost and appearance for most projects.
CMG is also a clear grade — no knots — but cut parallel to the growth rings of the tree rather than perpendicular. This orientation allows mills to be more efficient with the lumber, which makes CMG a lower-priced clear grade option compared to CVG. For projects that need a clean, knot-free face without the full CVG price premium, CMG is worth considering.
CVG is the premium grade — no knots, vertical grain orientation, and a consistent, clean face. The vertical grain runs parallel to the face of the board, which means the wood expands and contracts more predictably with humidity changes. For high-end exteriors where a clean, refined look is the goal, CVG is the spec. Expect a meaningful price premium over STK.
We carry cedar in both 1x (3/4" nominal) and 2x (1-1/2" nominal) thickness. The 2x profile adds visual depth and shadow lines to the exterior, and holds up better in high-exposure applications. It is also a better choice for siding profiles where the board takes significant direct weather exposure, such as on south and west-facing elevations at elevation. Though this can be cost prohibitive.
Cedar is available in both smooth and rough-sawn face textures, as well as 1x and 2x wire brushing. Smooth cedar takes stain more evenly and presents a cleaner, more refined appearance. Rough-sawn cedar holds stain in the peaks and valleys of the texture, creating a richer, more rustic look that many mountain clients prefer. 1x and 2x wire brushed cedar allows the natural beauty of the material to really shine. The rougher texture allows the stain to deeply penetrate the opened soft grain, creating a beautiful variation that cannot be replicated. All four textures are available across STK, CMG and CVG grades.
STK Cedar Smooth face, Pyramid finish, T&G profile — installed on a Colorado mountain home.
All cedar we supply is available prefinished. Our color line is named after Colorado's 14ers, giving each finish a regional identity. Below is a sample of available colors across smooth and rough face grades. View the full catalog at Rocky Mountain Finishes Prefinished Siding Catalog.
STK Cedar Rough Siding, San Luis finish, T&G profile. Pine Smooth Soffit, San Luis finish.
STK Cedar Rough Siding, Elbert finish paired with CVG Doug Fir Smooth Siding — a two-material combination common on higher-end mountain builds.
Cedar used for both siding and soffit creates a cohesive, all-natural exterior envelope.
Rocky Mountain Finishes supplies prefinished STK and CVG cedar siding, soffit, and trim for Colorado mountain projects. Full color line, multiple profiles, and prefinished delivery to your jobsite.
Want to know more? Contact Luke Tyler.
