[Bugman1400]

A condo Association I know has buildings that have the beaded masonite siding. Many of the buildings that get hammered by the sun have their siding fail every few years. It is the typical scenario where the paint fails followed by the masonite siding shortly thereafter. I know hardie beaded lap siding is more expensive to install and more expensive in materials. My question is about the longevity and reliability in direct sun. Anybody have any experience with how long and how well hardie siding lasts? What about the lap siding that already comes pre-colored?

 

[Windows on Wash]

Its basically fireproof (i.e. the substrate) so you are good there, but the paint finish is not indestructible here.

You will need to check the finish warranties directly with Hardie and I would look at LP as a comparison too.

Be sure the reason for the finish failure is sun and not moisture related. Flashing and water management detailing is even more critical on solid lap sidings.

 

[Bugman1400]

Thanks for the reply! How does LP compare to Hardie for $/sqft for material and longevity?

 

[Windows on Wash]

Price...you will need to quote it and see.

As far as Longevity and product engineering, I personally like it better but some guys had a rough start with it. I think it is far superior in my opinion though.

 

[Gary in WA]

Hardie is fine in direct sun, unaffected. Most has a ? year warranty, check locally. Care needs to taken with bumping (as a softball) it will crack on impact. The paint won't chip, only fade due to UV exposure and possible caulking, though not due to inferior product. My spin trimmer doesn't faze it, only removes paint if frequent. If it does get wet, it dries pretty fast. With a coat or two of quality paint, there should be minimal moisture to worry about solar drive with sun after a rain--- read on for the correct WRB to use.

Pretty pointless to compare a cement siding with an engineered siding, IMO. Apples to oranges. LP started with a bad idea (compress sawmill wood chips with glue for a siding and major case lawsuits) and added more glue and chemicals to stop the rot/fungus because it is still very susceptible to water/moisture. It is a replacement (pressed wood chips and glue) for the hardboard (pressed sawdust and glue) siding; http://www.capitolcitylumber.com/exterior-products/exterior-sidings/hardboard-lap-beaded-siding

It breaks the paint edge on the bottom laps (edge away from house the farthest), is heavy (not as much as Hardie), and gives a lot of slivers... IMHO. Hardboard lap also doesn't take moisture well, as you noticed on the condos, if you look closer, be sure the sheathing is well nailed and you prime all exposed edges, especially after a field cut on any siding;http://www.energyoutwest.org/eow_library/__past_confs/EOW_2008_Presentations/Tsongas_Damage.pdf

Depending on location warrants the permanence of the WRB; http://web.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/staff/papers/210.pdf

Be sure the product is Hardie and you store/install it correctly; http://inspectapedia.com/exterior/Fiber_Cement_Siding_Gaps.php


Fiber cement siding; "Fiber-cement, oneof the newest entries into the field, holds great promise in
that the material can be fashioned to resemble almost any
exterior cladding, holds paint well, and is essentially im-
pervious to decay, insects, UV radiation, and fire. It is also
very dimensionally stable and resists shrinking and
swelling, cupping, warping, and splitting. Warranties run
from 30 to 50 years depending on the manufacturer and
specific configuration. It is cost-competitive with vinyl
and hardboard siding and significantly less expensive than
premium wood sidings." from pp. 19, read pp. 13-19 also; http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/61/04716483/0471648361-66.pdf

Gary

 

[Windows on Wash]

LP Smartside has been in service for just at 20 years not without a warranty claim to my knowledge.

Besides being lighter, more rigid, cutting with wood working tools, and more realistic looking....it doesn't produce cancer/asbestos causing dust when you work with it.