| Compressed Wood Siding Information & Maintenance Tips: |
Siding, manufactured from oriented strand board and other wood composites, have the advantage of being manufactured from
relatively low cost wood and young trees, thus saving money and attempting at a more benign impact on the environment. Such
siding products became more attractive as traditional wood siding decreased in quality and/or increases in cost. Unfortunately, most
of the experience with such siding products have been poor. Many of these products have experienced moisture related problems.
Louisiana Pacific Corporation came out with Inner-Seal Siding (LP Siding). Masonite developed Omni-Wood, and a number of other
companies launched other similar products. Of all of these products, LP is the best known. LP has been involved in a highly
publicized legal action and has agreed to pay for some siding damage. Louisiana Pacific is still manufacturing compressed wood
siding. The legal action targeted the specific Inner-Seal type.
The key issues relating to the longevity of LP and other manufactured wood siding products seem to be as follows:
One of the problems with this type of siding is the requirement that the nail heads should not break the surface of the siding. This
requirement is intended to prevent water entry into the core of the material. Failure to follow these instructions has contributed to
many of the damaged siding installations. If the surface is broken, water can enter causing swelling of the siding, which allows even
more moisture to enter. Edges around windows/doors and bottom edges also prone to damage due to water entry.
If the siding is damaged, before doing anything else, it is very important to find out what if any help is available from the siding
manufacturer. Following all of the manufacturers maintenance guidelines may be required in order to keep any warranty in force. If
the siding shows some swelling or thin fissures at the bottom edge, it may be possible to reduce further damage by priming the
siding with "Permenizer Plus" or a similar primer and then repainting. The primer and paint may be applied with a spray gun, but the
bottom edge and grooves must be brushed.
Siding Maintenance Tips:
Some of the pre 1996 versions of the LP and similar siding products failed soon after installation. Later versions have lasted longer.
The most common conditions which seem to warrant some "preventative" maintenance are limited swelling/nail pops and thin
cracks along the bottom edge of the siding.
The following tips should promote longevity of the siding:
This type of maintenance work is unlikely to solve all of the problems with this type of siding or help with severely deteriorated
material but it should prolong the life of the product.
How long can the damaged siding be made to last? Will this maintenance work help? Nobody yet knows, and no one will know until
the siding fails completely. But if I had some slightly damaged LP siding on my home, I would invest in this type of maintenance work.
Note: The Information contained within this website is for informational purposes only. I always recommend that a qualified expert be
employed to fully evaluate the siding.
Click HERE to see Louisiana Pacific maintenance tips.
relatively low cost wood and young trees, thus saving money and attempting at a more benign impact on the environment. Such
siding products became more attractive as traditional wood siding decreased in quality and/or increases in cost. Unfortunately, most
of the experience with such siding products have been poor. Many of these products have experienced moisture related problems.
Louisiana Pacific Corporation came out with Inner-Seal Siding (LP Siding). Masonite developed Omni-Wood, and a number of other
companies launched other similar products. Of all of these products, LP is the best known. LP has been involved in a highly
publicized legal action and has agreed to pay for some siding damage. Louisiana Pacific is still manufacturing compressed wood
siding. The legal action targeted the specific Inner-Seal type.
The key issues relating to the longevity of LP and other manufactured wood siding products seem to be as follows:
- The formulation of the materials and the manufacturing process (processes have been improved).
- The quality of the installation with careful attention to manufacturers installation and maintenance instructions.
- Low interior moisture levels, good venting systems, wide roof overhangs and the proper control of vegetation next to the
house.
One of the problems with this type of siding is the requirement that the nail heads should not break the surface of the siding. This
requirement is intended to prevent water entry into the core of the material. Failure to follow these instructions has contributed to
many of the damaged siding installations. If the surface is broken, water can enter causing swelling of the siding, which allows even
more moisture to enter. Edges around windows/doors and bottom edges also prone to damage due to water entry.
If the siding is damaged, before doing anything else, it is very important to find out what if any help is available from the siding
manufacturer. Following all of the manufacturers maintenance guidelines may be required in order to keep any warranty in force. If
the siding shows some swelling or thin fissures at the bottom edge, it may be possible to reduce further damage by priming the
siding with "Permenizer Plus" or a similar primer and then repainting. The primer and paint may be applied with a spray gun, but the
bottom edge and grooves must be brushed.
Siding Maintenance Tips:
Some of the pre 1996 versions of the LP and similar siding products failed soon after installation. Later versions have lasted longer.
The most common conditions which seem to warrant some "preventative" maintenance are limited swelling/nail pops and thin
cracks along the bottom edge of the siding.
The following tips should promote longevity of the siding:
- Application of quality caulk of any dimpled nail heads and other holes etc.
- Keep the siding well painted with a quality paint. Note: brushing the primer and paint into the bottom edge and grooves of the
siding is a critical element of this work. - Keeping vegetation, soil, roof drainage and sprinkler water off the siding.
This type of maintenance work is unlikely to solve all of the problems with this type of siding or help with severely deteriorated
material but it should prolong the life of the product.
How long can the damaged siding be made to last? Will this maintenance work help? Nobody yet knows, and no one will know until
the siding fails completely. But if I had some slightly damaged LP siding on my home, I would invest in this type of maintenance work.
Note: The Information contained within this website is for informational purposes only. I always recommend that a qualified expert be
employed to fully evaluate the siding.
Click HERE to see Louisiana Pacific maintenance tips.
| Brady Home Inspection Eureka, CA |
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