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.
If you’re choosing new siding to go with your brick, selecting the best siding color combinations can be a challenge. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the many colors and textures available. To help you achieve stunning siding brick combinations, we’ll take you through the process starting with step one: selecting the best siding material for your home.
Continue ReadingWe’re halfway through 2020, and what better time to see how the exterior trends forecasted earlier this year are holding up? In this blog we’ll examine top siding trends and trending exterior house colors, and catch up with well-known designer Liz Marie Galvan on her insights around the home trends that are on the rise and here to stay.
Summer is almost here. And while more time in the sun brings heightened attention to UV protection and safety in high temperatures, homeowners should also think about the potential effects summer may have on different types of siding. If you’ve ever wondered what the best siding is for hot climates, we’re here to shine a light on hot weather siding myths and learn what is the right siding for warm weather.
Tudor-style architecture looks like it was created from the pages of a romantic storybook, intertwining medieval charm with a quaint English country manor. While the design is reminiscent of the English Tudor period of 1485–1603, the style didn’t appear in the U.S. until the late 19th century.