To revive an old thread... I am talking to an architect about building a half timbered house, possibly with SIP infill. The ply facings of the SIPS would be grooved into the beams, with a gasket material applied to the inside of the grooves to prevent excessive air infiltration. One of my considerations is wood species. I think cedar would be totally ideal, but not within budget. My local options that I was considering would be white pine or white oak. White oak would have rot resistance but high shrinkage. White pine the opposite. What does everyone think?