By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
The plywood siding on my home is badly deteriorated. Now that I can finally afford to replace it, I have six questions. What kind of new siding is best? How should it be installed? What problems can develop if it is not installed correctly? How long can we expect the new siding to last? Is it true that rain gutters can protect the siding? And how often should the rain gutters be cleaned out?
--Diana
Dear Diana,
Replacing the siding on a home is a major undertaking and a considerable expense, but it is becoming more common as a means of renovating the exterior surfaces of older, badly weathered homes.
The current material of choice is cement siding, commonly known as HardyPlank (a proprietary name given by the company that developed the product). This is a traditional-looking lap siding, designed to have the appearance of wood planks, but consisting of fiber-reinforced cement. It is preferred for its strength and durability and can be installed without removing the existing plywood siding. If properly installed by a qualified professional, it should last as long as the building.
HardyPlank should be installed over an approved-type moisture-resistant membrane to keep the interior wall cavities dry. Any punctures or tears in the membrane should be repaired before the siding is applied. Errors in this aspect of the installation can allow moisture penetration and resultant dry rot and mold infection.
Rain gutters at the roof eaves can keep water runoff from splashing onto the siding, thereby preventing stains, damage to the finish, and increased likelihood of water intrusion. Gutters should be cleaned as often as leaves accumulate in them. Frequency depends upon how many and what kind of overhanging trees you have. If the gutters are not cleaned, they become clogged, and water overflows from them when it rains. If leaves remain for long periods, they can cause rust damage to the gutters and downspouts.
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