Best Ventilation – Intake

LP SmartSide Siding (Soffit Panels) Boast 10 SQ Inches Per Lineal Foot Of Ventilation. This will allow the home to be cooler by increasing the intake of cooler air into any Texas attic space.

As you can see in looking at this Houston home that Texas Home Exteriors installed LP SmartSide Siding on, the lanced soffit panels with continuous intake vents.

This amount of increased ventilation 10 SQ Inches (LP SmartSide Siding Soffit) VS. 5 SQ Inches (Fiber Cement Hardie Soffit) will help fresh air to enter the attic space offering more ventilation and efficiency.

One of the reasons that I am writing this article is because many homeowners are not aware of what the EPA says about home ventilation issues are on fresh air and the differences are between LP Smart Soffit and Hardie Soffit.

If we did not live in the hot and humid area of Southeast Texas this would not be an issue. But we do so maximum ventilation is needed and the LP SmartSoffit offers double of James HardieSoffit.

Fiber Cement / Hardiesoffit 5 SQ Inches Per Lineal Foot of Ventilation.

Increased Fresh Air Flow LP SmartSoffit over Hardie Soffit

This increased fresh air flow will allow any TX home to have a fresh air intake of cooler air. This in turn will allow the AC Unit that is often located in our Texas attics to run much more efficiently and use less electricity month after month.

As we all know, the less that we use our utilities such as the AC unit that is often in the attic to cool our Texas homes, the lower your utility bills will be.

It is important for your Houston Texas home to have proper attic ventilation to help keep your roof and home cool.

Proper Roofing Ventilation – Exit

If the roof is not vented to let all of the hot air will not escape, and exit is most certainly needed. Energy Star recommends proper attic ventilation that will extend the life of your roof and helps to keep the surface of roof cooler in turn reducing utility bills during our long hot southeast Texas summer months! When installed correctly and by using best roofing practices, your GAF roofing shingles will keep the water out of your home, keep your roofing shingles cooler and your home will be cooler and more energy efficient.

Soffit Vent (intake) Ridge Vent (exhaust) Flow Diagram

The red arrows in the diagram on the right show how the cooler air is drawn in by the soffit vent and the hot air is pushed out through the Ridge Vent (roof ridge vent) on the ridge / peak of the roof.

This type of Texas vented roof system coupled with proper intake will keep your attic cooler in the hot TX summer months saving you money on your utility bills (AC bills).

This you will enjoy month after month, year after year for homes in the Houston TX metro area. As we all know, this is a good thing for sure!

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It was around 1999 in Houston TX when Houstonians started hearing about a siding product called Fiber Cement/Hardie Siding on the am home improvement radio station 750 Ktrh.  As many will attest, Vinyl Siding was king and the most requested siding product in the Texas market (and across the USA).

Current Results says Houston Texas  average yearly precipitation we receive nearly 4′ (48″) of precipitation every year and due to this and a great many of the homes here built using wood or masonite siding, homeowners ended up with siding often failing. This failure was due to the lack of painting and upkeep required for these types of siding products. Many Houston homeowners were looking at replacing the rotting wood or masonite siding on their homes and at the time, vinyl siding was the option most commonly selected.  This was until some of the local radio home improvement guys started getting paid to pitch a new siding product called, “Fiber Cement Siding“.  At this time, not much was known about the fiber cement product other than it was a cement-based siding product and would need paint application.

Move Over Vinyl . . . Fiber Cement/Hardie Siding Takes The Lead

The advertising campaigns and pitching paid off as this new siding product was pitched and heard more and more on the radio with boasts of what a better a product it was compared to vinyl siding. Homeowners in the metro Houston area started taking notice, local contractors were starting to pitch this new Fiber Cement Siding product and homeowners started jumping on the HardiPlank made by James Hardie Building Products band wagon as the greatest new product on the market. My company, Texas Home Exteriors was selling and installing Hardie Siding as well.

Fiber Cement HardiePlank Siding

Contractors in this part of the country are known for taking the path of  least resistance, so when homeowners started asking for this new siding product, the home exteriors companies and siding contractors alike started pitching (selling) the fiber cement siding product to homeowners throughout southeast Texas like crazy.

Fiber Cement Hardie Jumps From 5% Market Share to 90%

Within the period of about 5-6 years, I personally watched as the Fiber Cement Siding market went from being a mere 5% in 1999 to a jump of nearly 90% by 2005. To survive in the Houston TX siding market as a siding contractor, any company installing siding would or should have been offering the Fiber Cement product by this time.

The City of Houston TX – Texas Home Exteriors

Needless to say, many contractors did NOT like pitching a product to homeowners that needed painting and upkeep especially following an easy upkeep product like vinyl.

However, if you were to survive in the Houston Texas metro market buying into fiber cement, you would need to participate if you wanted to stay in the business of siding installation!

When Repainting Becomes a Reality

In this day and age many homeowners do not want the continued maintenance of repainting their home or changing out their roof every 10-15 years for that matter, like we have found is needed here in the south. Let’s face it, we are all busy and who wants to have to deal with this, the time, the money, the liability?

Homeowners in the Houston metro area (as well as across the country), now with the realization that the siding they just had installed and painted a few years ago needs to be repainted again and again and/or repaired.

This meant, getting bids, hiring a contractor, dealing with the HOA, getting colors approved (again), the mess, cost and dealing with the contractor telling you…”that is old paint on your brick” or . . . “it is peeling again because of the old paint was not removed or installed properly”. Yep, we have heard one or more of these scenarios and no fun!

The Issue of VOCs and Paint

Volatile organic compound VOCs are regulated by law, especially indoors, where concentrations are the highest. Harmful VOCs typically are not acutely toxic, but have compounding long-term health effects. Because the concentrations are usually low and the symptoms slow to develop, research into VOCs and their effects is difficult for workers installing products on your Houston Texas home exterior. There’s also the issue of silica dust cause when the fiber cement is cut and its harmful effect on the workers. 

Peeling Paint Long After The Siding Crews Are Gone

This is an issue that many do not think about until the crews are long gone and the reality of peeling paint has settled in. This is the time when homeowners consider if they are just going to simply paint over that old paint again, or what to do next . . .

Paint Peeling Off Of Fiber Cement Hardie Siding

Paint Peeling Off Of Fiber Cement hardie Siding

Finding yourself with questions like, “really, to only to have it peel off again?”; “How do I get every square inch of that old paint off of my home?” amongst many other concerns racing through the thought process.  If you don’t believe me that the paint might peel from your new fiber cement than take a look at these photos because it does and possibly could.  The images above show the reality of how paint can peel off from fiber cement siding just a few years after installation and painting of the siding product.

The results of this can vary depending on which paint was applied as well as how the surface was treated or prepped. Fiber cement siding is made up of a combination of Portland cement, ground sand, cellulose fiber and select additives which holds paint exceptionally well. The siding is available either unprimed or as pre-primed panels.

Improperly treated, cement-based products can become mildew magnets. A high quality exterior acrylic masonry primer, such as Sherwin-Williams Loxon Masonry Primer, will fortify the siding’s mildew and efflorescence resistance as well as caulk at the butt joints and applying the finish coat or coats. However many contractors to do not take the time to do what is needed to prevent the paint from peeling.

Foundation Problems – Notorious In Houston TX

Another issue with fiber cement siding is that it does not flex and move with the home. Anyone in Houston TX will tell you that sooner or later, either you or someone that you know, will deal with foundation problems.

With a moving home and siding product that is too rigged, a homeowner is asking for trouble. This can lead to problems like cracks that allow for water to leak into and behind the siding and trim causing, mold, mildew and eventually, rot.

Here you can clearly see how this fiber cement trim and siding has cracked and separated. I personally took this photo at a west Houston Texas home.

The photo on the right clearly shows the results of a home that has apparently had some movement.  There is no wonder that rigid siding and trim, like fiber cement, carries only a 15 year trim and 30 year siding warranty. With no movement flexibility in the fiber cement siding, your home can end up with cracks like the ones in the image on the right.

Not All Fiber Cement Hardie Jobs Have Issues

When a homeowner is considering siding products, it is important to be aware of some of the POSSIBLE problems associated with the products they are considering. Do your research and learn about the possible problems associated with siding products whether you are considering fiber cement siding or any other siding product.

What About Vinyl Siding Option for Houston Texas?

Vinyl Siding has it’s own set of problems, however; these are minimal and vinyl siding has been on the market for a good many years. This product is easy to install, low-maintenance, a great price and great option for Houston Texas homeowners.

Vinyl Siding Sales Up 15% 2014 1st Quarter in Houston Texas

Most of the siding supply houses in Houston TX are reporting that Vinyl Siding sales are up 10 to 15% over 2013 espechley KayCan a manufacturer of Vinyl Siding. As homeowners become more educated and are researching products on the internet, they know more about the products and reported problems and are able to make more informed and smarter choices. It seems many homeowners are finding that the old saying is true . . . “Vinyl is Final”

KAYCAN OCEAN PARK ULTRA VINYL “LAP SIDING”
What Does Vinyl Siding Offer Over Fiber Cement Hardie Siding?

• Lower Cost To Install
• Never Paint Again
• Energy Efficient
• Energy Star Rated
• Extra Insulation
• Quieter Home
• Lifetime Warranty
• By Far, The Best Return On Your Dollar!

Additional Benefits Include:
1. Heavy thickness for exceptional impact resistance.
2. Beautiful appearance – rough cedar wood-grain.
3. Double-thick nail hem windload resistance of up
to 213 mph.
4. Self-aligning locking system for quick, easy installation = straighter walls.
5. Double-sized insulated panels means up to 45% less noise and significantly reduced air
infiltration for a quieter, more energy efficient home.
6. Larger panel profile adds rigidity and dramatic shadow line.
7. Duratron UV technology for superior weatherability and color retention.
8. KayCan Ocean Park ULTRA siding’s premium color is consistent all the way through.

KAYCAN MONTEBELLO VINYL “LOG SIDING”

Rustic Charm ​KayCan Montebello Vinyl Log Siding will give you the rustic look and distinctive warmth of log siding with added durability and resistance.
• Montebello log siding wall system has all
the distinctive warmth, rustic style and beauty of
log siding with the strength and durability of vinyl.
​ • ​Montebello’s low gloss natural
wood grain appearance has been built to last as the
siding won’t dent, crack or split.
• Montebello resists mold, rot and mildew and
incorporates ​Perform Guard patented foam additive
for insect and termite resistance.

Montebello is the low maintenance alternative to real wood  requiring no painting, no staining and no wood preservatives means more time to enjoy your home and the things that you enjoy doing the most. 

1. Heavy gauge siding adds comfort to your home.​
2. Precisely contoured foam underlayment adds
rigidity and superior impact resistance.​
3. LineLoc panel locking system locks panels
together for greater rigidity on the wall.​
4. Ultra-Vinyl UV vinyl technology guarantees
superior weatherability and color retention.

​I hope you found this information helpful as you consider home exterior siding choices. Both Fiber Cement and Vinyl Siding are great home exterior products. The choice is yours to make, I am happy to provide information and facts about products and to answer any additional questions you might have, share your thoughts and questions in the comments below and I will respond timely.

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James Hardie fiber cement Siding is resistant to fires from a side wall entrance perspective.

Best Siding For Fire Resistance

James Hardie Siding (HardiePlank siding) made from fiber cement is a great option for the Houston Texas metro area for a fire resistance siding to use on the outside of your home. Concrete Center shows that Fiber cement is fire resistant due to the fact that it is a siding product that is concrete based and has incredible resistance to igniting. The fiber cement siding manufactured by James Hardie is recommended across the country for any are prone to fire and homeowners that want extreme fire resistance to the side walls of their home.

Berkeley College Siding Study

The University of California Berkeley College Berkeley Fire Center has done an incredible study on fires and the resistance of a siding product to fire delay or stop fire completely from entering a siding wall of any structure. As we, Texas Home Exteriors, are out in the field bidding siding jobs for TX homeowners, we are often asked the question: “what siding option do you recommend as the best fire resistant siding?”

I find myself instantly answering with the same response for some time now that is, “James Hardie, HardiePlank Siding” is the best for Fire Resistance.   Fiber cement siding, like Hardie, has great resistance to fire due to the cement like properties of the siding products.

Southeast Texas Metro Area

As many Houstonians know, here it southeast Texas it can get stifling hot in the summer months and can even linger around for what seems like months with no end. We also experience times of drought to the point that our Texas lakes water levels drop due to what the US Geological Survey calls water cycle evaporation. This affects the local usage for drinking and irrigation. Sometimes this can present a problem for many homes close to any wooded area of Texas lakes because they are often built entirely of siding, containing very little brick putting the homes at higher risk of fire damage.  The siding on what I call “Texas lake homes” often consist of wood and many of these were built on a budget as second homes away from the city.

Texas A & M and the City of Houston

The City Of Houston Texas Fire Department HFD as well as all others across our country supports and recommends the use of fiber cement siding to hinder fire invasion into a home’s exterior. Texas A & M Forest Service is a statewide leadership and professional assistance for the state’s forest, tree, and related natural resources trees and flammability issue. The Texas Interagency Coordination Center live fire activity feed is there so that anyone that have an internet connection can see where active fires are in Texas.

Loblolly Pine Trees are common in East Texas which presents the possibility of rapidly moving fire dangers and the height of these trees make it nearly impossible to extinguish the flames.  Here is the Link to review the fire rating of James Hardie wall assemblies.   No building material guarantees a fireproof home, but there are some preventative measures Texas homeowners can take to better prepare for the possibility of fires, like installing a non-combustible home exterior siding product like James Hardie Siding (Hardie Plank) that are more resistant to fire.

Trees and Flammability Issues

Here in southeast Texas we have the tall and beautiful  what Wikipedia calls LobLolly Pinus Taeda trees that grow up to 93-110 feet or more in height. Fire danger is a great threat to Texas homeowners in our area thus some insurance companies will allow further discounts for homes with fire resistant siding like HardiPlank siding installed in place of existing wood siding. Check with your local Texas insurance company and explain to them that you plan to replace your wood siding and inform them of which Hardie fire resistant siding you intend on installing. I have heard in the past how local TX homeowners have received reductions on their insurance as a direct result of installing fiber cement siding from James Hardie in Houston.

Hardie Siding Will Not Burn

You can clearly see in the image above, the fire resistance of fiber cement siding by James Hardie Siding (HardiePlank, Hardy Board). Hardie Siding provides a resistant barrier on the exterior of your home from a side wall entrance perspective.

HardiePlank siding will not burn or catch fire, as you can be seen in the photo, a lit torch aimed at the fiber cement siding manufactured by James Hardie Products.

The Hardie Siding will NOT easily burn and clearly protects the flammable wood studs behind your Houston TX home. This provides a great peace of mind for any homeowner in the Houston southeast metro area of Texas or anywhere in the country that may be at risk of experiencing a wildfire.

James Hardie warranties their siding for a full 30 years. This provides many years of increased fire safety for any homeowner whose home is close to surrounding large trees and would like this extra protection for their home and loved ones.

I hope that you have found this post informative and will pass it along or share it with those you believe may benefit from this fire resistant siding information. If you have a home or are building a home and are not considering brick, consider fiber cement fire resistant Hardie Siding and if you are in the Houston metro area, call me personally at Texas Home Exteriors 281-919-6999. Be sure to follow our blog to see future posts about home exteriors and more.

Free Hardie Siding Estimate

With my many years of construction background and building homes, I, along with many other home builders and remodelers, know the value of building a strong home. Here in the southeast Houston Texas metro area we have a good amount of strong winds and with Houston being so close to the coast, we are even more vulnerable to hurricanes.

Wind Racking Force on Homes

There are two forces a homeowner or anyone living in wind-prone areas of the USA should be aware and informed about. The first being “uplift force” and the other is “racking force” created from shear wind blowing directly at the home or structure.

The US Department of Agriculture

The Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) is the national research laboratory of the United States Forest Service.  The FPL is part of USDA) US Department of Agriculture) and they conduct extensive testing and research on timber and building studies. They have published a study where plywood (or osb) was added to the outside walls of the studs of a structure. The FPL (Forest Products Laboratory) study noted that they documented at least a 300% gain in stiffness and success in stopping any racking force from excessive wind force.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a science-based federal agency within the Department of Commerce with regulatory, operational, and information service responsibilities and having a presence in every state of the country and territories. The NOAA has also conducted a study on ground level based shear wind or wind shear and noted the forces and pressure.  When the NOAA was asked, “what is wind shear”?, they answered, “a change in horizontal wind speed and/or direction with height. Also known as a microburst, wind shears are a short-lived, ground-based, small-scale event and associated with thunderstorms”. Yep, that would be one aspect of weather experienced here in Texas!

Racking Force due to Wind Shear

The reason we are discussing Racking Force to a home due to Shear Wind in this siding post is because it is an important concern many homeowners should be aware of and considering when evaluating their home for high winds.

Right around the year 1999 here in Houston Texas many homeowners were being pitched and marketed to move away from vinyl siding and installing, in its place, fiber cement siding.  The installation of this fiber cement (like HardiePlank) siding product often meant removing the old wood siding, stripping off the OSB or  plywood sheathing down to the studs and installing the new fiber cement product. In the photo below, you can clearly see how builders across the country will often build diagonal, “let-in”, bracing (per the green arrows in the photo) into a home to help combat the racking force caused by shear wind.

Single Wall Construction – Non Wind Areas

Single wall construction is the method of installing the siding directly to the studs without any sheathing like OSB or plywood being attached first. Single wall construction with fiber cement siding is perfectly fine for non-wind/non-coastal areas of the country (as can be seen displayed in the photo below). However; for high wind areas, more than diagonal “let-in” bracing is needed as per Texas Department of Insurance TDI TDI Wind department hence, double wall construction with OSB or plywood sheathing is required to be installed before siding for added strength.

Let In bracing “diagonal bracing” a home helps combat the racking force caused by shear winds in Houston TX

Double Wall Construction & Let-In Bracing
– Wind Prone Areas

The best practice of using the diagonal bracing will help stop any home from racking (tilting) when strong winds are blowing against the home. Builders will often install OSB or plywood over the outside of the walls by nailing them to the exposed studs as can be seen on the left side of the diagram below (labeled “Wind Areas/ Houston Double Wall Construction”). Once the OSB or plywood is installed, the builders will then install the siding over this plywood layer. By having this base layer, consisting of some type of OSB plywood, a product like  LP Oriented Strand Board (OSB) or sheathing, attached to the the studs of any outside wall, will give the home increased strength and shear wind resistance to combat racking force. This method is called “double wall construction“.

Fiber Cement Hardie is Not Alone for Single Wall Construction

Wind or movement of the home can cause cracking of the fiber cement siding

Coming from my many years of experience from using and my knowledge of fiber cement, I have found the product to have very little material structural strength and it can break quite easily. The product offers little structural support (if any) to the outside of a home and it can, in fact, be a liability. Don’t believe me, but try taking a hammer and moderately hitting the Fiber Cement siding to demonstrate for yourself how easily it breaks and crumbles to the ground.

I was in shock back in 1999, in Houston Texas ,as I observed (even participated in) siding contractors removing lap wood siding and T-111 vertical siding, later realizing this ultimately affected the structural value which had been an asset to the home. This product was then replaced with the installation of fiber cement without installing any OSB or plywood under it offering nearly no structural value to the home and taking away the stability it was providing.

The image on the right is of a home I had received a call on which was a “call back” from a homeowner on an installation by another siding contractor. The contractor had removed the old wood siding and had not install any OSB or plywood under the newly installed Fiber Cement.

As you can see, the result was that the home moved causing cracking of the fiber cement product and allowing water intrusion along with other problems for the homeowner.

This Houston TX homeowner will continue to have movement problems until all of the fiber cement siding has been removed and some sort of structural grade of sheathing is installed like OSB or plywood to help prevent the movement.

Keep in mind that this homeowner paid over 14k for a siding job that was done incorrectly and the contractor did not do them any favors. In Texas, homeowners often experience movement in their homes, this is yet another reason to install OSB or plywood sheathing prior to the fiber cement siding. Using this method of installing double wall construction will add more stability to Houston TX homes.

The best way to build strength into the exterior of the walls is with double wall construction.

How to Install for Double Wall Construction

The diagram on the right displays how to correctly install the layers (sheathing like OSB or plywood – double wall construction) prior to installing the fiber cement siding. This process of installation will help increase any home’s structural value for both shear force, racking force wind and any settling movement by providing increased strength to the exterior walls of the home.

Keep in mind the importance of this layer and understand id is a much better re-siding approach for homeowners especially when removing old structural grade siding and installing fiber cement siding in its place to provide stability.

LP SmartSide Siding Best for Single Wall Construction

Double wall construction is the best way to build strength onto any outside wall for homes in coastal areas that are being sided with fiber cement siding products. Another options is LP SmartSide which is wood based and is a product that provides lot of, what wood works calls, structural value, something the fiber cement siding product does not provide.

One might want to keep in mind, that by not choosing to side your home with single wall construction, a propelled airborne object could quite easily penetrate right through the fiber cement siding, the insulation and sheet-rock, entering your home living space.

When building a home (or if you are re-siding your home and it has no OSB or plywood under the siding and was constructed using single wall construction), I recommend using the LP SmartSide Siding due to its proven brute strength. When you  make this choice, you will rest assured that the SmartSide siding product is a great asset adding integrity to your home’s exterior walls helping to keep those that you love safer inside your home.

Additionally, with the SmartSide siding product, it is NOT necessary to install OSB or plywood sheathing under the the LP SmartSide product, it is NOT needed! Racking force from shear wind becomes much less of an issue due to the increased strength of the exterior walls with the LP SmartSide Siding which actually takes the place of OSB (or plywood) providing great structural value and it looks great too.

The must-see video below explains clearly what this means for your home. Fiber cement siding, is a great siding option. And please insist, if you are having the fiber cement product installed, that your siding contractor install double wall construction with OSB or plywood first for the what Wikipedia calls structural integrity of the building.

The moral of the story is:
Fiber Cement Siding Installed on Single Wall Construction = a Liability.
LP SmartSide Siding Installed on Single Wall Construction = an Asset.

Featured Video: Demonstration of LP SmartSide vs Fiber Cement Durability

Free Estimate Hardie or SmartSide

I get asked this question often working Texas Home Exteriors, “Greg, which is better, Fiber Cement/HardiePlank Siding or LP SmartSide Siding for my Houston TX home?” I have had many homeowners and builders alike asking me this question.

I respond with information based on my research and opinion having much experience in installing the two building products, as well as discussion with other home exterior professional contractors. Both fiber cement (HardiePlank) and LP SmartSide siding are outstanding siding products, however there are some differences you should be aware of.

The information in this siding article is based on many years of my experience in the Houston Texas metro area, and as the owner of Texas Home Exteriors. In this post I will cite information from some of the most credible resources I know of on the internet presenting their accumulative input including Google Books (James Hardie), Wikipedia (James Hardie) and Wikipedia LP (Louisiana Pacific SmartSide). These are sites and resources that you can and SHOULD check as well to learn more and research what people just like you and me are saying around the country and the world.

Below I present for you the good, the bad and the ugly so as a Houston Southeast Texas homeowner, you can make an informed and intelligent decision. I encourage you to click on the links as well and doing some of your own research. After reading this Hardie vs. SmartSide Siding article, please take a moment to voice your opinion or share additional information below the estimate form.

Here are our findings

Both Fiber Cement (Hardie) and LP SmartSide Siding are outstanding and high quality building products. They both exhibit excellent qualities in their performance and longevity as excellent siding product choices for your home’s exterior. Keep in mind that each has great qualities as well as some not-so-great qualities. I will point this out based on my many years of experience in home exteriors here in the Houston southeast Texas area in using both products, (fiber cement – LP SmartSide Siding) as well as research I have done on the products and their overall performance.

Supporting evidence via GOOGLE search 

When being asked about one siding product vs another, one might share their opinion from their experience, of course this is OK. However, I will also provide examples of what other home exterior professionals are saying from around the country.

Fiber_Cement_Siding_Defects – Inspectapedia …. read more

Problems with Fiber Cement Siding installations – Structuretech1 Forums….. read more

Fiber Cement Problems – Inspectors Journals Forums….. read more

Smart Side Siding JLC Online Forums…. read more

LP SmartSide Siding vs Fiber Cement – Hot Spot Outdoors Forum….(read more)

Fiber Cement/HardiePlank- 15 Trim 30 Yr Siding Warranty

Click – 30 YR Warranty

As you can see from exploring the links above, there have been some issues reported from around the country. Fiber cement has become more and more popular since the late 1990s in re-siding as well as in new construction throughout North America.

The reported issues range from cracking and flaking paint to installation problems as well as other issues with the fiber cement siding product. The siding most often used siding product in America is fiber cement. Many of the problems with this product have stemmed from the improper installation of the fiber cement product. However, there are also some issues to be aware of that actually stem from fiber cement product failure itself.

 LP SmartSide Siding – 50 Year Trim 50 Year Siding Warranty

Click – 50 YR Warranty

LP SmartSide has also been around since 1997, I have done extensive research via the internet and have not found nearly as many, or for that matter, any issues reported with this product at all, no reported problems, even LP SmartSide reports there have been no claims on product failure of the the LP SmartSide Engineered Wood Siding Products in the past 14 years it has been being installed on homes.

In all fairness, I will share that there was an issue I came across regarding Louisiana Pacific (LP) and their OLD Product, called “LP Inner Seal“ which has since been discontinued. This was a pre-1997 SmartSide product that failed, recalled and any claims paid responsively and quickly- very impressive on the part of Louisiana Pacific. In my opinion, this product should not have been used on homes in areas of the country that receive a lot of precipitation, thus the failures. (Note, that the “Inner-Seal” siding did very well in other areas of the country that are more arid and the product continues to stand up well in those climates to this day).

Louisiana Pacific SmartSide Wikipedia info

LP SmartSide:  (LP) “Two years after the first suit, LP had settled all related disputes. LP re-engineered the product, now marketed as LP®SmartSide® and since 1997 has sold approximately 3 billion square feet of SmartSide siding with no warranty claims for fungal decay.” This was reported on Wikipedia in 2014 of this product that has been around since 1997.

Fiber Cement (Hardie) Wikipedia info

Fiber Cement: per Wikipedia, “Fiber cement siding (or “fibre cement cladding” in the UK and Australasia) is a building material used to cover the exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic applications. Fiber cement is a composite material Fiber cement is a composite made of sand, cement and cellulose fibers. Read more about Fiber Cement by clicking on the link at the top of this article which will take you to Wiki and Build Direct FAQs.

The Silica Dust Issue – New York Times 

Both the Fiber Cement (aka as hardiplank and hardieplank) and LP SmartSide siding products will produce dust plumes when cutting the product. LP SmartSide siding is wood based and makes less dust as opposed to the Fiber Cement that contains Silica. Having said that, the Silica is a much finer dust and gets airborne and tends to make billowing clouds of fine dust that can be dangerous for workers to install if respirators are not used. Here is a recent article from the New York Times about silica dust exposure that you should be aware of on this issue.

Crumble a Plank Anyone?

Click Image- Read The Rest Of The Story

You have to see this to believe what is happening. After Hardie Siding (fiber cement) has been up for a while, homeowners have been reporting on how that their lawnmowers wheels had bumped the lower run of the siding and broken off edges with some mild unintended impacts.

If you click on that (broken off edges) link above, you will clearly see photos of what homeowners across the country are reporting as well as the phone calls that we are receiving on the issue here at our Texas Home Exteriors office.

You will also see how SmartSide Siding is much more resistant to the same impact of objects such as lawnmowers, baseballs and the everyday accidental impacts that most homeowners experience.

Benefits Fiber Cement/HardiePlank Siding Products

Fiber Cement has the upper hand by far in the category of Fire Resistance so if you are looking for a siding product that specifically is more Resistant to fires, Fiber Cement is the better choice. Fiber cement is one of the most resistant materials there is for your exterior.  If installed properly, it is also insect-proof, because it offers no food source to insects.  It is fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, and is not prone to warping or cracking, thanks to the cellulose fibers which boost its dimensional stability.  And, manufacturers offer a variety of pre-painted colors to choose from.

Disadvantages of Fiber Cement Siding Products

Fiber Cement is much heavier than other siding types and requires two or more workers to install a single plank increasing labor costs. Fiber cement siding can also be difficult to work with, as workers cut the material it creates silica dust plumes that can be harmful if breathed in.

Benefits of LP SmartSide Siding – What the crews are saying about installation

• Length – With Longer planks” 16’ foot vs 12’ allowing workers to cover more with one plank and less joints to finish.
• Lighter – The product is 39% lighter on average, the material does not break when being carried or moved. 
• Damage – Hammer marks do not show up as easily due to its increased impact resistance.
• Cutting – No special saw blades or equipment is needed (no need for $100 special blades, regular carbide wood saw blades work just fine).
• Nailing – No nail gun pressure issues or need to lower presser due to overdriven nails. 
• Dust- Much less dust than the fiber cement product, silica plume issues gone.
• Strength – Installation of this product increases wall strength and structure so walls remain straight for the lifetime of the product.
• Installers prefer working with the product due to the reasons listed above. As a matter of fact, once an installer uses this product they do not want to go back to using the fiber cement.

Disadvantages of LP SmartSide Siding

SmartSide siding is constructed of wood based fibers, leaving it vulnerable to fire from combustion and or through the melting of the resin add-ons when exposed to high heat. If fire resistance is a concern I would consider the James Hardie (hardiplank) siding over the LP SmartSide siding. You should take a moment to read this article about James Hardie Siding and it’s superior resistance to fire.

Louisiana Pacific and NASDAQ Stock Jump

Just as recent as May 18th of 2015 the stock for Louisiana Pacific (LP) LPX has seen a 52 week all time high is stock increase due to consumer interest and sales increase in the LP SmartSide Siding Product. This has been exciting news for some time as contractors are liking having a choice to present to homeowners besides fiber cement.

Conclusion

Well there you have it, the good, the bad and the ugly. Both the Hardiplank and LP SmartSide Siding products will serve your home will and keep your love ones protected from the weather for many years to come.

While there are differences and benefits to both siding products, we have noticed a shift in homeowners moving towards the LP Smart Siding due to the many benefits vs fiber cement (Hardie). What you have read above is from an article I wrote. You can find more information on our website Texas Home Exteriors – Houston TX about home siding options and you can also learn more about silica dust and it’s affects.

We hope that you have found this informative article most helpful in making a siding choice for your home exterior. Both the fiber cement (Hardie siding) and the LP SmartSide siding are great products with some differences. Should you have any questions my email address you can email us at: [email protected] or if you would like a Free Estimate from Texas Home Exteriors call, 281.919.6999 anytime.

PS – I look forward to hearing from you in the comments section below.

Missing roof kick-out flashing

Roofing Shingle Components

I cannot stress enough to homeowners the importance of kick-out flashing and how often it is overlooked.  Kick-out flashing is a small piece of metal flashing that diverts the water away from an intersection where a side wall and roof line meet.

It literally kicks the water out and stops it from traveling under and behind the siding. Kick-Out Flashing is at the end of any sidewall flashing and serves as an end to properly kick the water away from traveling behind siding. This missing kick-out flashing is very common problem with vinyl siding due to the lack of cooperating manufactured components.  

Missing Kick-out Flashing

The photo to the right showcases missing kick-out flashing on the roof where it meets a sidewall. Note how there is no flashing where the roofing shingles end at the fascia and meet the sidewall.  The lack of flashing allows mold to grow due to water getting behind and the wood or vinyl siding. This is a common problem here in Houston and southeast Texas.

Corrected Kick-out Flashing

Kick-out flashing installation

First, the rotted wood as seen in the photo has to be cut out and replaced.

After the rotted wood is replaced, the kick-out flashing needs to be installed under the roofing shingles, behind the siding and then end in front of the siding to expel and drain all water properly.

Here in Houston Texas we receive nearly 4′ (48″) of rain per year! This correctly installed Kick-Out flashing will ensure that no water gets behind the siding and roofing shingles to cause mold and rot issues.

Instead that water, should be kicked out from going behind the roofing and siding.

Kick-out Flashing Example  

Completed Roofing kick-out flashing job

This is a Stucco Siding job with correctly installed kick-out flashing.

This photo showcases how to stop water from entering under the roofing shingles and or siding long after the crews are gone.

As with any roofing shingle replacement job done by a reputable contractor, the correct components are the key. When a roof is being replaced, often a company will not replace some essential components/flashings to save money.

If you are receiving roofing replacements bids or estimates, look for a list of components such as, pipe jacks, valley flashings, drip edge, sidewall flashings and ridge vents.

All of these should be replaced when changing your roof to insure no leakage for many years to come. That way when it is raining hard in the middle of the evening you can rest assure that any leaks will be non existent!

I truly hope that you have found this article most helpful and informative when it comes to proper re-roofing installation techniques. Texas Home Exteriors.

Fig 9 – HardiePlank siding cracked from improper nailing & shrinkage

Hardie Siding Products Nailing Issues

In all my years in home improvement, I have witnessed what works as well as what does not perform well.  I cannot begin to tell you how many HardiePlank (James Hardie) Siding jobs I have come across with face nails and just after a few years are showing cracks in the surface due to the improper nailing procedure that was used. James Hardie is the manufacture and here is the instructions for Hardie Siding Installation for reference.

In our extreme Southeast Texas summer heat and humidity, there will be some expansion and contraction in the James Hardie siding product.

If the HardiePlank Siding is face nailed at the vertical edges (the ends of the plank), this is what could happen (Figure 9 at the right). When HardiePlank is face nailed, it should always be nailed in the main run areas away from vertical edges so cracking does not occur. 

Two Methods of Nailing (fastening) 

Fig 10 – Proper Face Nailing Technique (click to enlarge)

Face Nailing Method

If face nailing should be needed, it should be kept at a minimal distance and away from each end of the plank if possible.  If face nailing should ever be required, for instance, let’s say if a plank is not lying flat, it should be nailed at least ¾” away from either edge (see Figure 10).

Blind Nailing Method

90% of the blind nailing should occur at the top of the lower panel of the siding that is being installed (see Figure 11).

By nailing this way, the nails will also be covered and hidden by the next panel that is installed above it which is more visually appealing.

Fig 11 – Blind nailing procedure diagram (click to enlarge) 

This will ensure that there is no chance of breakage due to expansion and contraction after the HardiePlank crews are long gone.

Voiding The Warranty 

There is also the issue that James Hardie the manufacture of the siding product will void the warranty should the siding be nailed improperly. That is why it is so important to install the product to what the manufacturer specifies and recommends.

It is not uncommon for siding products to be installed incorrectly to varying degrees. Nailing is one of the most important aspects.   

Suggested Galvanized Fasteners  (nails) For Coastal Applications

Fasteners must be corrosion resistant, galvanized fiber cement HardiPlank nails, or stainless steel. Electro-galvanized are acceptable but may exhibit premature corrosion.
Hardie recommends the use of quality, hot dipped galvanized nails.

Stainless Steel fasteners (nails) 

Hardie Siding Installation Job

Stainless steel fasteners are recommended when installing James Hardie products near the ocean, large bodies of water, or in very humid climates. The beauty of properly installing HardiePlank siding will result in no cracking from the installation.

This in turn will provide a HardiePlank exterior siding job that will last for many years to come. This is the kind of siding job that you can expect from Texas Home Exteriors serving the greater southeast Houston east Texas metro area.

We hope that you have enjoyed this post on how to correctly nailing Hardie Siding article. We have 1% Texas EZ Pay 100% Financing with no money down no prepayment penalties  and instant approval! Keep your money in the bank and use ours for your Hardie Siding Project. Thank you for all of us at Texas Home Exteriors! Call or Text for FREE Estimate with NO Pressure 281.919.6999.

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