All over Tallahassee and the rest of the country there are homes that are clad in a lap siding that to many, would look like wood but it’s really a composite siding. This material is very different from traditional wood siding, although it may contain wood products in some way, shape, or form. Composite siding, not to be confused with hardiboard siding (a brand name for a fiber cement product), is comprised of wood chips, flakes, or fibers pressed together. This produces a material that wants to naturally absorb water and as moisture is retained it begins to swell, breaking the bonds between the fibers and losing structural integrity. While there were different manufacturers and styles, they all share a common problem: Moisture. There have been countless class action suits associated with this product. With proper installation and ongoing maintenance the moisture absorption rate can be kept at a safe level and the siding will continue to perform as it was intended to. However, when either or both of these are neglected, the countdown to product failure starts and cannot be reversed, only slowed at best. This is why it’s important to choose a qualified and experienced home inspector.
Below are things any homeowner with this type of cladding should be aware of:
- Use high quality paint and sealants and repaint before it NEEDS to be repainted.
- Keep all vegetation away from the house at least 12” off exterior siding so that the siding does not have excess moisture trapped against it.
- Make sure that all sprinklers are pointed away from it and do not directly spray.
- Be on the lookout for cracked paint, missing sealant, holes, discoloration, swelling around siding edges, any kind of organic growth, as all may be signs of moisture intrusion.
- NEVER pressure wash the siding as high pressure spraying can easily damage the material
- Never delay any needed repairs or corrections to keep your siding performing as well as it can.
Below are a couple pictures of this type of siding showing the telltale signs of the beginning and middle stages of deterioration and a video showing full failure.
You can see in the middle of this picture where the bottom edge has begun to swell.
You can see the effects of moisture causing discoloration and swelling at edges and butt joints well as at the fasteners.
Swelling at butt joints and blistering in the field, swelling around the nail heads.
Improperly sealed nail heads have absorbed moisture causing localized swelling.
Below is a quick video of what happens when happens when composite siding has failed.
