Climate has always been a major consideration in homebuilding. But in today’s generation, self-expression through architectural design is hard to put off. Hence, quality and aesthetic beauty of the structure inevitably standout as every homeowner and home builder’s top two priorities.
One of the building finishing systems that live up to that standard is siding. Siding is an exterior covering or cladding that serves primarily as protection from harsh weather conditions, such as hail, high winds, rain, sleet, tornadoes and hurricanes. As an attractive construction material, consumers are assured of huge variations on colors, materials, texture and material.
Siding can be made of woods, metal, stucco, vinyl or fiber cement and it can be formed of vertical or horizontal board.
During the Colonial Era, wood siding was prominently preferred due to its very modest structure, as manifested in American Wooden Carpenter Gothic houses. Even more, wood siding can be made of redwood and cedar that are highly regarded for its natural weather-resistant.
But as the global climate starts to put into effect its havoc to mankind, call for strict conservation of natural resources has taken the frontline. As a result, synthetic wood siding in the forms of fiber cement and vinyl siding is introduced to the market.
Fiber cement siding is considered as the up-and-comer in the industry of siding due to its immense advantage over the traditionally preferred wood siding. Chief of which is its indistinguishable appearance from wood siding without hurting homeowners’ budget. It’s main ingredients--- cement, sand, and fiber wood speaks of durability that manufacturers provide a 50-year guaranty on fiber cement siding.
Fiber cement siding should be a satisfactory alternative to high maintenance wood and vinyl siding. In addition, its life expectancy has to be much lengthier since it is non-combustible, termite and water resistant.
One of the groups that belong to fiber cement family is Hardie Plank Siding. Also known as Hardie Plank, its distinguishable trademark is its strip lap products adorned with complementing trims, panels, and shingles.
Hardie Plank easily became a major attraction in the market today since it can imitate the beautiful look of wood siding without enduring the headache commonly attributed to high maintenance cost. It can stand worst weather condition and has to be the best choice of residents in coastal regions, including Seattle. Hardie Plank siding does not swell or rot easily after long exposure to raindrops and anything that nature can throw at it.
What only seems to be a shortcoming is its hazardous dust when cut into different sizes. Silica and cement are the major components in large amounts of fine particles that throws off during cutting, or sawing of Hardie Plank siding. These components may prove dangerous particularly to the respiratory system.
As a general precaution, scraping or sanding has to be done outdoor with the aid of respirators. Circular saw with a filter vacuum can also take the large portion of the dust.
Other materials used on siding are:
Had there been no leaking condos, it wouldn’t be revealed that sidings however durable manufacturers speak of the materials they produced are expected to leak. One of the telling signs that siding replacement is necessary when paint starts to peel. It can be solved by repainting the surface but wait there must be something more serious behind it. Probably it could be a symptom of moisture caused by leaking roofs or blown-in wall installation. If that is the case, repainting is not the ultimate solution to this problem. Thus, in siding replacements, diagnosis is the key in determining the culprit.
Another problem that arises to this issue is that siding is not covered in the capital reserve fund of many regions because of one obvious reason: it is not expected to manifest deterioration until it reaches 50-years of existence. But facts show that it does worsen in quality before it reaches its estimated life expectancy. Hence, homeowners suffer as they don’t know where to get financial funding to have it replaced.
In fact, Louisiana Pacific a manufacturer of Louisiana pacific siding had learned lesson the hard way when lawsuits were filed by consumers who were in the rage of the company’s failure to comply with consumers’ satisfaction.
Siding Estimate
Like other home building materials, sidings are charged by square foot. To determine the accurate estimates of building new homes or renovating home exterior the home has to be sketched in three-dimensional form. Then highlight the area where siding is to be located. Total amount of siding cost can be computed by adding up the areas of individual rectangles or by finding the perimeter of your home and multiply it to the height, from the ground to the roof.
Other installation costs are also included in the estimated cost, such as delivery fee, cutting and labor cost.
Siding is only the few home construction material that remains utterly appealing even in the passing of time. Whether you are into industrial, retro, or modern home design, siding can always live up to your expectation both in aesthetics and in life span.