When deciding to re-side your home, it can be difficult to get a handle on all the terms. It’s exciting once you start researching siding options for appearance and inspiration, but understanding the substrate specifics can be daunting. It’s important to learn the key differences before jumping into a decision.
A good place to start is understanding the difference between composite siding vs. engineered wood siding, as composite siding is one of the most popular options around. Traditionally, composite siding is made up of fibrous wood pieces as a base that is bonded with additional materials. However, there are also composite siding options that do not use wood as the base (for example using cement instead). There are many different composite siding options to choose from, with one of those being engineered wood siding.
Specifically, LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding is an engineered wood siding that features proprietary technology for protection against hail, wind, moisture, fungal decay and termites. LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is made of Aspen, a light wood that includes minimal extractives or tannins that could stain and bleed through, which helps improve appearance. During the manufacturing process, the product is cut and sliced into strands.
“The strand size is important,” said Matt Vrazel, the Process and Product Development Manager at LP Building Solutions. “If the strand is too small, it compromises strength. If the strand is too large, it creates too many variations in density.”
LP SmartSide siding is made up of wood strands about the size of a business card that are coated with a moisture-resistant overlay and compressed to create superior strength. It is treated with zinc borate that a) is proven to resist termites and fungal decay, b) manufactured to resist moisture and c) provides extreme durability to stand up to impact.
If your contractor uses the term “composite siding,” be sure to ask for further clarification. Since you now know that composite siding is a broad category with many options under its vast umbrella, you are well on your way to being a pro when selecting one that you will be happy with for the years to come.
The end of the year is just around the corner, which means so are New Year’s resolutions. According to recent research, approximately 60% of us make New Year’s resolutions, but only 8% stick to them. Whether you’re planning to tackle popular resolutions like exercising more, learning a new hobby or something else entirely, one thing remains constant—it is important to create a dedicated space in your home where you can focus on your new goals.
Continue ReadingWorking with contractors can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially when you’re not familiar with their technical lingo. Like many professions, contractors use building terms and phrases that may be common for them but are often foreign to the homeowners they work with.
When it comes to a remodeling project, one of the first concerns homeowners have is paint color. With a plethora of color options and everchanging color trends, picking the right color to accentuate your home’s exterior can be quite a daunting task. Because picking the right paint colors can be the difference between good and great, we’re taking a deep dive into the color trends of today.
Once the autumn leaves have fallen and the nights begin to grow longer, it’s the annual signal that it’s time to start decorating for the holidays. And while many homeowners divert their attention to interior holiday décor, giving your home’s exterior a festive punch will ensure it’s a showstopper the moment friends and family pull into the driveaway. Need some outdoor holiday decorating ideas? We compiled the top 2019 exterior decorating trends that will be all the rage this holiday season.