Civic Warmth & Modern Precision: Polson Public Library Remodel

Clear Vertical Grain Douglas Fir and Tex Gap Siding Transform a Montana Community Hub

Public libraries serve as vital civic anchors, requiring materials that withstand high foot traffic while creating an inviting atmosphere for learning. Built over 30 years ago, the North Lake County Public Library District facility in Polson, Montana, underwent an extensive remodel led by general contractor Martel Construction to update aging infrastructure, resolve ADA accessibility challenges at the main entrance, and transform the space into a bright, welcoming “Third Place” for the local community.

To realize this architectural vision, Martel Construction partnered with Montana Timber Products to supply a premium prefinished wood package. Utilizing Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) Douglas Fir prefinished in our AquaFir™ Light Brown finish, the remodel demonstrates how strategic timber selection transforms public infrastructure into a modern, accessible community sanctuary.

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name: North Lake County Public Library Remodel

Location: Polson, Montana

General Contractor: Martel Construction

PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS

Total Volume: 1,487 Board Feet

Species & Grade: Douglas Fir | Clear Vertical Grain (CVG)

Product Line & Color: AquaFir™ Light Brown, Smooth Texture

Application	Size	Profile
Vertical Exterior Siding	1″ x 6″ RL	Tex Gap
Exterior Entry Soffits	1″ x 6″ RL	Tongue & Groove (T&G)
Interior Ceilings	1″ x 6″ RL	Tongue & Groove (T&G)

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

The Power of Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) Douglas Fir Siding and Paneling

While knotty timber fits rustic cabin aesthetics, commercial civic spaces often demand tight, uniform lines. Therefore, the design team specified Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) Douglas Fir.

Consequently, CVG wood features parallel, knot-free grain patterns that run straight along every board. This smooth, uniform surface allows our AquaFir™ Light Brown finish to absorb evenly, highlighting the wood’s natural warmth without introducing visual clutter. Furthermore, CVG Douglas Fir provides superior dimensional stability, ensuring boards resist expanding or shrinking in seasonal Montana weather.

Tex Gap Profile & Blind Nailing Mechanics

Exposed face fasteners can create potential points for water intrusion on exterior siding and disrupt clean panel runs. To eliminate face-nailing, Martel Construction installed our nominal 1x6nominal Tex Gap profile for the exterior vertical siding.

• Hidden Fastening Lip: The Tex Gap profile features an extended tongue lip engineered specifically for blind nailing. Installers drive stainless steel fasteners directly through the hidden lip, which the overlapping edge of the adjacent board fully covers.
• Integrated Shadow Reveal: Fabricated step-offs along the board edges form uniform ¼”  shadow reveals between vertical courses without requiring manual spacing jigs during installation.

Board-for-Board Wall-to-Ceiling Alignment (Waterfall Detail)

The interior threshold features a trimless, 90-degree plane change where the vertical wall siding intersects the horizontal ceiling panels.

Instead of covering the junction with corner trim or crown molding, installers executed a continuous board-for-board alignment:

• Continuous Joint Lines: Each vertical 1×6” Tex Gap wall board aligns directly with an overhead 1×6” T&G ceiling board.
• Parallel Shadow Reveals: The ¼” reveals extend continuously up the wall plane and across the ceiling, creating an unbroken grid line through the entry threshold.
• Exterior-to-Interior Run: This layout extends through the glazed entry assembly, carrying the same board spacing from the exterior soffit directly into the main reception hall ceiling and across the enlarged lake-view atrium reading nooks.

Factory Prefinishing for Commercial High-Traffic Durability

On-site finishing in active public construction zones introduces dust contamination and uneven coating thickness. To ensure long-term durability in a high-traffic public facility, all lumber arrived prefinished from the factory.

Each board received two face coats and one back coat of low-VOC Seal-Once Waterproofer. Factory back-coating seals the timber against moisture absorption behind the wall cavity, while the low-VOC waterproofer meets indoor air quality standards for commercial public facilities.

GALLERY

THE RESULT

A Modern Landmark for Polson, Montana

Ultimately, the North Lake County Public Library remodel proves that thoughtful material selection elevates public infrastructure into a community landmark. By combining Clear Vertical Grain Douglas Fir, precise Tex Gap profile engineering, and prefinished AquaFir™ finishes, Montana Timber Products and Martel Construction delivered a building built for enduring public service.

At Montana Timber Products, we partner with architects, municipalities, and commercial builders to supply custom, prefinished timber packages for high-impact projects. Contact your regional sales representative today to explore profile options or request project samples.