South Cental WI, 53951. Zone 6a. Currently have:
– OSB sheeting
– typar housewrap
– 1″ polyiso foam, taped.
– vinyl windows installed on top of foam, flanges taped to foam

Our roof is neat standing seam in burnished slate (dark grey/brownish color). Brown facias, soffits and gutters.

Plan on adding another 1″ of polyiso foam, taped, which will result in window frames being about 1/2″ proud of foam, then picture framing windows with either 2×6, 4×6 or 4×6 split (1-3/4″ thick) cedar, depending on thickness of siding (trying to achieve picture framing being proud of siding) and doing 1×4 strapping butted to picture framing. Cedar picture framing would be stained clear or matched with steel trim (brown) or with steel roof (slate)

Considering that 1×4 strapping will be screwed 24″ OC to each stud (16″ OC), which type of siding would you advise? I was originally decided on cedar lap, but would consider all options except of vinyl and metal siding. Definitely like the looks of shake detail. Wife hates looks of LP while I am finding issues with pretty much every type listed below.

Currently looking at:
– Certainteed Weatherboards 8-1/4″ Perfection Shingles (7″ exposure, 8′ long, 7/16″ thick boards) in one of their stained finishes (fiber cement).
– LP Smartside Cedar Shakes 11-3/4″ (10″ exposure, 4′ long, 10mm thick boards) in one of their dual tone finishes (OSB based).
– Cedar beveled, rustic channel or TG siding in something like 3/4″ to 1″ thick, 8″ wide. Would consider pre-stained only.

In particular, I am not sure if past issues with Certainteed fiber cement have been resolved, what’s the durability of finish, etc.

LP looks quite fake (don’t want any solid color finishes) and DiamondKote finish is so shiny, then 3/8″ gaps all over that need caulking is a ridiculous idea. No idea how caulking dependable product has such a big following.

And finally, I would be more than happy to let the cedar age naturally, but heard horror stories and seen some horrid pictures of blotchy and black spots, rotting, etc. Factory stain seems like the only way to go. It would be red cedar to be specific.

Other than these, I was really disappointed with Nichiha Shake and Certainteed Shake Panel pricing (close to $10 per sqf !!!). Above options are around $2-$3 / sqf.

Any pros/cons to options listed above, especially considering it’s going to be over 1×4 furring/strapping? Puncture or stability issues? Installation pitfalls? Any other ideas?

Thanks!