United States Department of Agriculture Engineering Forest Service Technology & Development Program

February 2000

7100 0071-2308-MTDC

Overview of Siding Materials for Forest Service Facilities Dick Karsky, Project Leader; and Jasen Neese, Mechanical Engineering Technician

any types of siding are available today. Some MM types of siding require less maintenance than others. This article briefly describes some of the more common types of siding and their relative costs.

Types of Siding Wood

Wood siding has traditionally been Figure 1 chosen by homeowners and 73% builders. When properly cared for, it can be very durable. Western timber harvests have been 4 11/16 x 6 5/8 curtailed in recent years, increasing the cost of solid wood 6 7/16 x 9 1/8 siding. Print to Outside Edge of Borders Lap—Lap siding is applied DO NOT PRINT Borders horizontally with the top board lapped over the board below (Figure 1). The board is usually beveled, with the bottom edge thicker than the top.

Redwood—Redwood is a durable siding if sealed, stained, or painted at regular intervals. Redwood also has notable natural decay resistance. Reduced timber harvests have increased the cost of redwood siding.

Cedar—When cedar is sealed, stained, or painted, it is as durable Figure 1—Painted horizontal wooden lap siding.

For additional Information contact: Dick Karsky, Project Leader; Missoula Technology & Development Center; 5785 Hwy. 10 West; Missoula, MT 59808-9361. Phone: (406) 329-3921; Fax: (406) 329-3719; IBM: dkarsky/wo,mtdc; E-mail: dkarsky/[email protected] as redwood. Wood siding generally applied vertically. The horizontal pest resistant. If metal siding is requires a new coating of sealer, seams where the panels meet are properly installed, it can outlast stain, or paint every 3 to 7 years to covered with a 1- by 4-inch wood other types of siding. Some remain durable. trim. A piece of metal flashing is communities require that metal bent to step behind the upper piece siding be grounded as a precaution Oriented Strand Board—Oriented and over the lower piece. The against electrical shock. strand board (OSB) siding is made panels can also be installed so that from wood strands that are oriented the upper piece overlaps the lower Steel—Steel siding (Figure 2) in layers under heat and pressure. one to prevent water penetration. resists dents better than aluminum. The top layer is resin impregnated Plywood siding and trim are most Steel siding is more common than or protected with a sheet of resin- durable when they are protected by aluminum where severe weather impregnated paper. Some OSB a heavy-bodied stain or paint. To can cause damage, such as the sidings have factory-applied remain flat and attractive, the hailstorms that are common in the topcoat or primer. The siding can panels need to be fastened properly Midwest. Corrosion may occur if be painted or stained as desired. using corrosion-resistant nails. the finish is scratched to the bare metal. Damaged spots must be Hardboard—The wood fibers in painted promptly. hardboard are oriented at random Metal and bonded with resin under heat Aluminum—Aluminum siding is and pressure. The result is a Metal siding is made from durable and eliminates the need to dense, tough material that is less aluminum or steel sheet and is paint for many years—20 years or stable than plywood. Resins protect usually formed to look like wood longer, depending on climate and the top of each piece and a primer siding. It has a factory-applied installation. Although the siding’s or topcoat is factory applied. This coating. The surface may be color will fade or dull with time, product depends more on proper smooth or textured. Metal siding is newer coatings are more durable installation and moisture control low maintenance, requiring nothing than those of a few years ago. than does solid wood. Any more that periodic cleaning. It is Aluminum siding is soft and can be uncoated areas must be painted. noncorrosive, rot resistant, and damaged by hailstones or careless Avoid panels or boards that have been chipped or cracked, or that are damaged during installation. Hardboard is sometimes called “Masonite,” a trade name.

Both OSB and hardboard sidings are among the least-expensive siding options. They perform best Figure 2 when water vapor in a building is controlled through venting and 67% vapor barriers. They resist weather best when painted. These materials 4 11/16 x 4 3/16 are unforgiving of sloppy installation and will not withstand 7 x 6 1/4 exposure to wet conditions. All horizontal and vertical joints should be weather tight. Print to Outside Edge of Borders DO NOT PRINT Borders Plywood—Plywood siding is inexpensive and easy to install. The veneers in exerior plywood are held together with waterproof glue. Panels usually come in 4- by 8- feet, 4- by 9-foot, or 4- by 10-foot sheets. The better grades have fewer patches replacing knots in Figure 2—MTDC’s garage uses vertically arranged steel siding. the face veneer. Plywood siding is

2 Figure 3 72%

7 1/8 x 4 9/16 10 x 6 3/8

Print to Outside Edge of Borders DO NOT PRINT Borders

Figure 3—An older residence with brick siding.

placement of ladders. The siding can become wavy or buckle during heat if it is not properly installed.

Masonry

Brick—Brick (Figure 3) is one of the more durable exteriors and requires little maintenance. It never needs painting or staining. It won’t Figure 4 rot or burn and can result in 59% reduced fire insurance premiums. Brick is energy efficient. Its mass keeps the building cooler in 4 11/16 x 3 13/16 summer and warmer in winter. Brick is a good noise isolator. 8 x 6 1/2

Stucco (EIFS)—Most construction Print to Outside Edge of Borders that uses stucco or synthetic DO NOT PRINT Borders stucco (EIFS, Exterior Insulation and Finish System) backs an exterior stucco surface with a cement board substrate. Stucco Figure 4—Stucco siding provides effective protection against the elements. (Figure 4) has most of the same

3 advantages of a brick exterior. It as apparent as with metal siding. It can become brittle and crack in does require painting periodically. Plastic siding is durable and resists cold weather if it is struck hard. Because the material lends itself to dents better than metal siding. The Where hail is common, vinyl may an unlimited variety of shapes and installed price is slightly less than not be the best choice. It can curves, unique architectural forms for metal siding. Plastic siding shatter and be severely damaged are possible. comes in two types, vinyl and by hail. If vinyl siding is not polypropylene. Plastic siding is properly installed, it will rattle in Fiber-Reinforced Cement—This usually installed with insulation gusty winds. Textured siding may siding usually comes in panels. It backing board. The backing board be harder to clean than smooth can have the appearance of wood gives it added rigidity and strength siding. Vinyl siding comes in many and the durability of concrete. It is and increases energy efficiency. styles and shapes: clapboard, noncombustible, resists moisture beaded, D4 profile (two 4-inch-wide and wind, is immune to damaging Vinyl—Vinyl is the most widely horizontal clapboards per single ultraviolet rays and salt spray, is used plastic siding. It can be made panel), D5 profile (two 5-inch-wide lightweight, and is pest resistant. It smooth or textured to look like horizontal clapboards per single is dimensionally stable, tough, and rough-sawn wood siding. panel), Dutchlap, shiplap, and a T3 flexible. Fiber-reinforced panels Polypropylene is only available profile (three 3-inch-wide horizontal have good structural properties and molded to resemble cedar shingles. clapboards per panel). resist impact. Both types of siding are durable, retain their color, and have Table 1 shows the relative costs, Plastic—Plastic siding (Figure 5) improved in quality over the years. maintenance requirements, and is molded with color throughout. Plastic siding can buckle in hot typical warranties for different Scratches on the surface are not weather if it is installed improperly. types of siding.

Figure 5 75%

7 1/8 x 4 9/16 9 1/2 x 6 1/16

Print to Outside Edge of Borders DO NOT PRINT Borders

Figure 5—Vinyl siding comes in a variety of textures, colors, and sizes.

4 Table 1—Siding system costs, maintenance requirements, and typical warranties.

Estimated Cost of Materials and Labor Type of Siding (per square foot) Maintenance Warranty

Brick (4-inch Veneer) $9.20 to $10.35 Very low Lifetime. Synthetic Stucco $9.00 Medium 10 years (EIFS) Paint every limited. 5 to 7 years Vinyl Siding $1.58 to $2.20 Low Material’s ($0.58 to $0.70 + lifetime $1.00 to $1.50 labor) or 25 years. Cedar Siding $2.60 to $3.85 High 25 years ($1.10 + $1.50 to Stain or paint limited. $2.75 labor) every 3 to 7 years Steel Siding $2.45 to $3.95 Low Material’s ($1.20 +$1.25 to lifetime or $2.75 labor) 25 to 50 years. Finish 15 years. Aluminum Siding $2.45 to $3.95 Low Material’s ($1.20 + $1.25 to lifetime or $2.75 labor) 25 to 50 years. Finish 15 years Hardboard Siding $2.15 to $3.95 Medium Materials, ($0.90 to $1.20 + Paint every 5 to 25-years $1.25 to $2.75 labor) 7 years limited. Finish 15 years. Plywood Siding $1.97 High Materials, ($0.72 + Paint every 5 years $1.25 labor) 3 to 7 years limited. Vertical Steel Sheets $1.75 Low Materials, ($0.50 + $1.25 labor) limited.

Additional Weyerhaeuser Corporation An index of building material Resources Web site: http:// manufacturers. www.weyerhaeuser.com/bmd/ Internet Sites products Architectural Engineering Information on current siding and Construction Certainteed Corporation building products. Web site: http:// Web site: http:// www.aecinfo.com/bpl/div07/ www.certainteed.com Sweets Group 7400.html Good information on siding Web site: http:// Information on siding products. products or system types. www.sweets.com/index

5 References Brick Institute of America agricultural engineering from the 11490, Commerce Park Drive University of Minnesota. Dick is a Wood Frame House Construction, Reston, VA 22091 registered Professional Engineer Craftsman Book Company Phone: (703) 620-0010 (PE). He worked in industry before 6058 Corte del Cedro Web site: http://www.bia.org coming to the Missoula Technology PO Box 6500 and Development Center in 1977. Carlsbad, CA 92018. U.S. Gypsum Company 125 S. Franklin Street Additional single copies of this Super Siding, Popular Mechanics Chicago, IL 60606 document may be ordered from: Magazine, 1996. Phone: (800) 621-9622 USDA Forest Service Missoula Technology and Western Wood Products Development Center Association 5785 Hwy. 10 West Yeon Building, 522 SW Fifth Ave Missoula, MT 59808-9361 Organizations Portland, OR 97204 Phone: (406) 329-3978 Phone: (503) 224-3930 Fax: (406) 329-3719 Web site: http://wwpa.org Architectural Sheet Metal Manual IBM: pubs/wo,mtdc Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning E-mail: pubs/[email protected] Certainteed Contractors National Association 750 E. Swedesford Road (SMACNA) For additional technical Valley Forge, PA 19482 4201 Lafayette Center Drive information, contact Dick Karsky Phone: (800) 233-8990 Chantilly, VA 20152-1209 at the address above. Vinyl Siding Institute Phone: (406) 329-3921 American Architectural 335 Lexington Avenue Fax: (406) 329-3719 Manufacturers Association New York, NY 10017 IBM: dkarsky/wo,mtdc 1540 E. Dundee Road, Suite 310 Phone: (212) 351-5400 E-mail: dkarsky/ Palatine, IL 60067 [email protected] Phone: (847) 202-1350 About the Author… An electronic copy of this American Hardboard Association document is available on the 1210 W. Northwest Highway Dick Karsky has a bachelor’s Forest Service’s FSWeb Intranet Palatine, IL 60067 degree in agricultural engineering at: Phone: (708) 934-8800 from North Dakota State University http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us and a master’s degree in

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