\t\t\t\tYour Homes Cladding System. Plywood is a structural panel. Plywood siding is popular because it is less expensive to install than solid wood siding. It is readily available and easily installed. Plywood siding adds to the strength of a house’s structure. Most plywood siding requires an exterior wood finish. Rough-surface plywood is ideal for paint and stain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hardboard is a popular type of fiberboard that is made from wood fibers designed with a specific density. It is compressed into a dense, wood fiberboard. Synthetic adhesives provide bonding between the fibers. Hardboard has a uniform composition and appearance. There are no grains, knots or natural deficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Particleboard is available as overlaid particleboard siding and as waferboard.
\nOverlaid particleboard siding has a particleboard core, overlaid on both sides, with a resin-impregnated fiber sheet. It has a smooth surface. Waferboard is particleboard with large wood flakes left exposed. It does not absorb paint or stain well and should not be used as exterior siding. Waferboard is typically used for sheathing under the siding. Waferboard is made of wafers that are not oriented the way OSB is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paint and stain are considered to be necessary by most people who want to extend the life of their wood siding. Paint and stain can give the house a desirable appearance and protection against weathering. On an inspection, you may find that wood siding has paint or stain that is in poor condition. The siding on the south side will usually weather and deteriorate before the other sides of the house because of its exposure to the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look for cracking, peeling, checking and blistering paint conditions. Poor paint conditions could be the result of many things, including moisture problems. Peeling paint is often caused by poor preparation of the surface prior to painting. Cracking may be caused by old age, and the expansion and contraction of the wood. Blistering could be caused by moisture. Try to note the general condition of the paint surface of the siding as a whole, and then move in closer and report any smaller areas that are significantly deteriorated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the moisture content of wood is above 20%, and the external temperatures are between 40 F and 115 F, wood rot may be found. If you find rot, look for the source of the moisture. The source can be from a roof leak, gutter leak, openings or gaps in joints, condensation, air movement, wood installed close to grade or in contact with soil, inadequate drying, or other conditions. Oftentimes, the source of water penetration into a wall comes from the poor building practices around the windows and doors or wall attachments, such as light fixtures. Wood siding is susceptible to rot at the ends of the boards. Cut boards should be sealed or painted in order to resist wood rot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n