The right siding can do a lot to enhance a home, but one of the most desirable benefits is the look it can bring to an exterior. In fact, siding has one of the greatest impacts on your home’s facade.
Wood is rich in texture and classic, which makes it a desirable siding option for many homeowners. However, while it is beautiful, a lot can go wrong with this material.
Let’s break down what can go wrong with wood siding and if there’s a better option for your home.
The Downsides of Wood as a Siding
Before you make the decision to replace your current wood siding with more wood siding, let’s take a look at what problems might arise over its lifespan.
1. Susceptibility to Moisture Damage
Wood is porous. Just like when it’s alive, it soaks up any moisture it comes in contact with, which of course will make it extremely susceptible to damage and rot if not properly treated. Once wood siding begins to rot, the problem can spread quickly, causing significant damage to your home.
2. Pest Attraction
Wood is susceptible to damage from pests. But even worse than that, it often attracts the pests themselves. Termites, carpenter bees, woodpeckers, carpenter ants, and more are all attracted to wood, either as a food source or a place of shelter. And the softness of wood makes it susceptible to boring and other damage.
3. Warping and Cracking
If moisture is able to penetrate wood boards, it can warp or even crack the siding. Temperature swings cause the moisture in the wood to expand and contract, shifting and breaking the wood and overall weakening the structure.
4. Excessive Upkeep
Because of wood’s susceptibility to moisture, pests, and weathering from the elements, it requires a significant amount of maintenance to keep it looking and performing at its best. Depending on the look you desire, wood must be stained or painted for proper protection, and this process will easily need to be repeated every couple of years or more.
Wood also needs proper cleaning and caulking and tends to require varying amounts of repairs and replacements throughout its lifetime.
5. Environmental Problems (with painting and staining)
While wood itself does not necessarily present an environmental issue (as a renewable resource), the problem arises with certain paints and stains used to seal the siding. Paints containing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) can release them into the air when being painted onto your home.
6. Material Inconsistencies
With so many wood options (cedar, pine, redwood, etc.), it takes a great deal of research and time to choose exactly what will work for your home, budget, and climate. If the wood you select does not fit your climate or is not treated properly for your region, you’ll see varying degrees of deterioration over the years, giving your siding an inconsistent look.
7. Touch-up Paint/Stain Inconsistencies
When wood siding has to be repaired or portions need to be replaced (which happens more frequently than other siding materials), you’ll need to paint or stain that wood to match the existing siding. The problem occurs as paints and stains fade over time. UV rays, weather, and age all fade coloring, and using fresh paint and stain of the same color doesn’t always mean a perfect match.
Get Better Siding With James Hardie
As the number one fiber cement siding option on the market, Hardie Board® comes with all the greatest benefits of fiber cement and more. The durability of the silica sand and Portland cement combination produces siding panels that:
- Resist damage from/ won’t attract bugs (like termites and carpenter ants)
- Isn’t susceptible to other pests like woodpeckers
- Resists moisture damage
- Won’t rot or warp
- Is Engineered for Climate®
- Resists warping from expansions and contractions with temperature swings
And to top it off, James Hardie backs its siding products with a 30-year limited warranty.
Hardie Board is also available with ColorPlus® technology (a factory, baked-on paint coat) that is UV-resistant, fade-resistant, and backed by a 15-year limited warranty to maintain your color’s integrity. If ever portions of the siding do need to be replaced (which rarely ever occurs with Hardie Board), the color match will be seamless.
You can gain all the incredible durability and protective benefits of this material while still achieving the beautiful aesthetic of wood siding. With many style options to choose from, Hardie Board has a variety of choices that mimic the look of real wood siding, utilizing realistic grooves and grains to give the perfect look.
Choose a Siding that Will Last Decades
You don’t have to compromise on the look of your siding. If you love traditional wood siding, you can achieve that style and gain unmatched benefits of durability and protection with James Hardie. Your home deserves the best, and you deserve to have a material that will save you time and money with fewer repairs and less maintenance.
Learn more about James Hardie siding and the style options available from Lakeside Renovation & Design!
