We’ve come a long way from the thatch roofs, dirt walls and
glassless windows of early American civilization. Protection from the elements
was subpar, at best, back then. Among the many things to evolve in the
construction of a home is siding – even now we’re seeing new options for
optimal protection from the outdoors.
If you’re looking to have HA Construction build a home,
replace your siding, or you just want a history lesson on what siding options
are still available, then read on.
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| wood siding |
Wood – the Forever Friend
As one might deduce, the next step from dirt in protecting
one’s home from the elements was wood, and it’s still used today. In fact, most
all other siding options available try to emulate the look of wood because it
has the most aesthetic appeal – it adds character to a home, which is often
lost if the wood siding has to be replaced due to years of damage and poor
maintenance.
Speaking of maintenance, if you’re considering wood as a
siding option for the beauty of it, you’ll want to remember that a lot of work
goes into keeping it in tip-top shape. Think about how much you have to do in
order to keep your deck looking great – wood siding is the same way. There’s
annual painting/staining needs, as well as caulking. It’s certainly something
you must go all in for if you plan to use it.
Wood siding is moderately priced, with the least expensive
option being a plywood version. There are several styles available, including
horizontal clapboard with overlapping joints and vertical plank board. The look
is, of course, enhanced by your choice of paint or stain color.
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| asbestos siding |
Asbestos – It’s Got a Bad Rap
Around the 1920s, manufacturers started mixing asbestos with
cement to form a siding that had fire-retardant properties and was quite
resistant to the elements. Asbestos siding saw its peak usage from the ‘20s to
the ‘40s. However, in the 1970s the use of asbestos in building materials was
banned because airborne or inhaled fibers caused health problems.
It’s hard to determine what manufacturing year for new home
construction saw the extinction of asbestos siding in use because there was no
official ban date. And, since asbestos is very durable, you’ll still find many
turn-of-the-century homes with asbestos siding in good condition if it was
cared for properly. Unless it’s in disrepair, there’s not much of a reason to
replace asbestos siding, since there are no health problems associated with it
as long as it remains undisturbed, and replacing asbestos siding is quite the
expensive ordeal. The Puget
Sound Clean Air Agency has a lot of helpful information for repairing and
removing asbestos siding, should you see the need.
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| damaged hardboard siding |
Hardboard – Better Known as Masonite
First things first, Masonite is a brand name (and the most
popular one, at that) for hardboard siding, which is a made of compressed wood
fiber, wax, resin and wood chips. Hardboard was introduced in the U.S. in the
1920s. Lap (board) and panel (sheet) options both provide a textured look to
resemble wood grain.
While hardboard is still available for use today, it
dwindled in popularity because of manufacturing issues over the years.
Hardboard is a reliable siding option if it is properly manufactured, properly
installed and properly maintained. However, in most cases, one of these
elements is lacking and the product is known to take on moisture in less than
optimal conditions. Moisture causes hardboard to swell, crack, break and
deteriorate in general.
If you’re looking for a economical feasible option that you
don’t mind caring for in order to keep it working for you, then just remember
that your hardboard siding will need:
·
An annual inspection for problem areas
·
Proper guttering and no contact with sprinklers
(i.e. keep the water away)
·
A six inch clearance from vegetation
·
Applications of paint, caulk, sealant and mildew
control products as needed
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| aluminum siding |
Aluminum/Steel – It’s Everywhere
At one time or another, most anything went through an
aluminum-stage, and siding is no exception (steel was also part of this craze).
This was the first alternative to any wood-based siding available and saw the
most use in the 1940s to 1970s. It comes in strips and fastens to external
walls with perforated holes at the top. The pieces interlock at the top and
bottom to seal out the weather.
This moderately priced option is durable and comes in a
variety of textures and colors. The paint, however, may fade or runoff, which
is why, for a hefty additional cost, you can get plastic or vinyl coating. If
you’re considering this option, keep in mind that aluminum siding dents easily
and, in the midst of a storm, can be very noisy.
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| vinyl siding |
Vinyl – Everyone’s Go-To Siding Product
Vinyl is currently the most popular among siding products
available. Hitting the market in the 1960s and ‘70s, vinyl quickly deteriorated
the aluminum siding market because aluminum became more expensive as energy
costs increased around the 1970s. Vinyl was the more economical alternative and
still remains so today in most cases.
The design and installation of vinyl siding is nearly
identical to that of aluminum, with the exception of the fact that the color of
vinyl siding is much more reliable (and there’s a broader range of color
options). The downside to vinyl is that it cracks upon impact in cold
temperatures and, if it’s not installed properly, it can warp and buckle.
Fortunately, it’s a low maintenance product and even cracks can be easily
repaired.
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| fiber-cement siding |
Fiber Cement & Fiberglass – The New Guys
There are two other siding options available that, while
growing in popularity, have yet to become household names. Fiber cement was
manufactured in Europe for over 100 years, but didn’t hit the U.S. market until
the 1980s. This product is hard to distinguish from wood siding because of the
wood grain design element. As an added bonus, it may look like wood but isn’t
subject to rot or insect damage. It’s a durable low-maintenance product made of
recycled materials, and it often comes with an extended warranty from the
manufacturer.
Fiberglass siding hit the market around 2006. It’s similar
to vinyl in design and installation. However, there is one benefit: plastic
(vinyl) expands when it’s exposed to heat, causing it to sag, but, because
glass doesn’t expand in hot conditions, using fiberglass siding eliminates this
problem. The color of fiberglass siding can fade, but it’s easily painted.
Whatever type of siding you choose, HA Construction can help
you. And, if you’re still uncertain, Andy will gladly chat with you about what
option would be best for your budget and your needs.
