“The Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby”
Saturday, July 7, 2007, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Topic: Exterior Siding

Scott will take your calls at 314.436.7900 or toll-free at 1.800.925.1120.

Siding is the exterior envelope of your house. It must perform as protection from sun, wind, rain and moisture outside while coping with moisture emanating from the interior. The design, location and weather patterns around your home should guide what type of siding to use, but it’s the installation of the siding that is the most crucial factor. The most expensive, maintenance-free material is rendered useless if not put up properly.

Malfunctioning siding is often related to the location and exterior design of a home, roof flashing systems, vents, drainage, wall insulation, windows and doors. Many components make up the exterior envelope of your home, and all must work properly in tandem. Siding is merely the most visible of the components.

EXTERIOR SIDING CHOICES

Stone & Cultured Stone Siding

Slabs of rock are beautiful and nearly impervious to weather but extremely expensive. 1” thick stone facing and pre-cast stone veneers that look and feel like real stone are the more affordable options.

With both versions of stones, ensuring that water properly drains from the structure will prevent spalling. Do not let vines grow on the walls as they weaken the mortar and hold moisture against the wall.

Brick & Brick Veneer Siding

Clay brick comes in a wide variety of earthy colors. It is expensive because it can last for centuries. Brick veneers can look authentic and are durable, although they have nowhere near the longevity of real brick.

The only maintenance brick requires is to the mortar between the bricks, which will typically need to be re-tuckpointed every 25 years. But this is only an estimate, as the weather conditions and quality of construction play a large part of when new tuckpointing is required.

Cedar Shingles

Cedar is a natural wood, and certain varieties are naturally resistant to insects and rot. It can be left in its natural state for the weathering effect, painted or stained.

Untreated cedar can crack or “cup” on the hot side of the house, while the cool side can have mold, moss and fungus issues.

Wood Clapboard Siding

Solid woods like pine, spruce, redwood, cypress and Douglas fir remain the first choice for traditional quality. With periodic maintenance, wood siding will outlast vinyl, as evidenced from so many wood clapboard houses built centuries ago still looking beautiful to this day. Unlike other siding materials, it can be repaired and partially replaced.

Wood from young trees can cause shrinks warps and splits. Improper installation over a vapor barrier and/or insulation can inhibit wood siding’s need to “breathe,” which results in paint and deterioration problems.

Engineered Wood Siding

Also known as oriented strand board (OSB), this is a composite material made with wood products and other materials. They come in panels that are easy and inexpensive to install, often molded to mimic the look of traditional wood clapboard. It does not look exactly like real wood, but the appearance is more natural than vinyl.

This type of siding is installed with “hidden fasteners” rather than “face nailed.” This prevents water penetrating the core of the veneer material, and failure to follow manufacturing instructions results is damaged siding. Partial replacement of damaged pieces is very difficult.

Fiber Cement Siding

An extremely durable material that is fireproof, termite-proof and can have the appearance of wood, stucco or masonry. Cuts and installs like wood siding, and can be painted in the color of your choice. It’s higher priced, but 50-year manufactures warranties makes it a safe, low maintenance investment.

Cement fiber siding is typically not a do-it-yourself project, and should be installed by certified professionals with fiber cement siding experience. Manufacturer’s instructions must be exactly followed for the warranty to apply. It will need to be repainted every 7 – 15 years, depending on the conditions around your home.

Stucco Siding

A natural, traditional material used since the days of the Italian Renaissance, stucco is hard, solid and moisture resistant when maintained properly. There is a wide variety of synthetic stucco that can look authentic, but do not have the same durability.

Traditional stucco preserves best in drier climates, and can turn fragile if proper maintenance is ignored. Synthetic stucco must be installed properly or it can cause severe water damage to the walls behind it, especially in wet or humid climates.

Vinyl Siding

Made from PVC, it won’t rot or flake, and is usually less expensive to buy and install than other siding materials. A large variety of colors and textures are available to fit any home design. A spray washing once or twice a year is the extent of surface maintenance.

It can crack, fade or grow dingy over time, and keep the BBQ pit away from it as it will melt. It’s now controversial because of environmental concerns. Because vinyl is cheaper and easier to install, unqualified installers overlooking required details are a common occurrence, which can result in serious water damage to the walls behind it.

Siding is the face your home shows to the outside world. It is a sizeable and visible investment, so make sure whatever siding material you choose is applied properly. We at Mosby Building Arts have decades of experience in properly installing all siding materials, so we know the importance of best practices. Click here to see a few examples of our exterior renovations, and call on us with all of your siding questions and needs.

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1. The Walls Hold A Surprise
2. KMOX – Check Gutters During the Rainy Season
3. KMOX – Water Damage
4. KMOX – January Home Maintenance Tips
5. All About Swimming Pools

Learn the Art of Living at CallMosby.com.

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