At IBS 2026 in Orlando, Jordan Smith of Smith House Company out of Austin, Texas visits the Nakamoto Forestry booth to showcase one of his favorite siding products in the world—vertical grain, old-growth Japanese cedar grown and harvested over an 80-year cycle. Rooted in a philosophy of designing with nature and allowing materials to age gracefully, the company carefully manages its forests to produce tight vertical grain boards, pairs them with hand-wrought iron fasteners that patina and strengthen over time, and embraces craftsmanship down to the smallest detail. While the premium product represents generations of forestry and meticulous installation, Jordan also highlights a more accessible Japanese cedar option for his upcoming project, explaining finish choices, maintenance expectations, and how thoughtful design can create siding meant to last 100 to 200 years when installed properly.

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