blueman wrote:
"dpb" writes:
blueman wrote:
I need to replace some exterior wood trim on our 150 year old
Italianate home.
....
What was used originally? ...

Not sure. I find it hard enough to identify new wood, let alone 100+
year old wood.

Take a piece to the lumberyard (not a box store) and ask. Would help
to find a relatively solid piece and cut it, of course. Inside the
weathered it will still show grain/color, etc., and shouldn't be hard
to identify. If it's a pine, it may even still have a slight residual
odor.

Is it hard, soft, in-between? Does it have knots, straight closed or
open grain, etc., etc. All are indications.

What part of the country are you in?
Massachusetts

Don't know what would have been the most likely by experience, but from
I know of the area, I'd say it mostly likely would have been white
pine. Excellent choice, now almost unobtainable here (W KS) except on
special order. There, probably still available at a "real" lumberyard,
no idea about what the box stores carry there...

What is the weather exposure of the pieces and any particular
pieces/areas?
Varies. But assume that it is exposed to the full force of winter.

In general, while it undoubtedly wasn't what was used before, cypress
is excellent, as is fir. Much white pine from years ago lasted a long
time w/ proper maintenance. More recently, other pines/"white woods"
are probably the most prevalent. For painting, cedar is not a good
choice.

So, is the standard pine 1-by-x that you find at a regular lumber yard any
good, or is it worthwhile to seek out (and pay for) cypress or fir? (I
know its prevalent... but is it any good)

Doug fir is excellent for weather and paints well. Is harder than
pine, but more "splintery". Here at least, much easier to obtain in
decent quality.

"Standard" 1x pine at the run-of-the-mill yards here will be pretty
sorry stuff -- full of knots, wane, split ends, etc. It would be #2 at
best and not (imo) at all suitable for trim work. #1 pine or clear
will be available from a good yard, undoubtedly, but I have no idea
what it would cost there -- probably less than here owing to proximity.

Depending on the locations and types, you might even consider the newer
non-wood replacements.

Would prefer not to given the "historic" nature of the house and my
own snobbery for wood

I'd go that way too, just thought I'd mention it as an alternative.
Given that unless $$ are really constrained, I'd try to go for the
white pine, but I'd surely want to either select boards or buy graded,
not just common stock unless you have far better yards available to
choose from than here -- which you may well, being in (I presume) a
fairly high population area.

OBTW, some may try to push finger-jointed clear trim -- stay away from
it for exterior use is my recommendation even though some will say it
is ok, I've never had any that didn't fail at the joints in fairly
short time...

HTH...