Click To Enlarge – Faux Stacked Stone Siding Texas Home Exteriors Houston The Woodlands TX

Faux Stacked Stone Siding from Ply Gem installed by Texas Home Exteriors in Houston Texas.
So you’re considering new siding for the exterior of your home.  Have you considered whether you will be doing a complete siding replacement and/or adding faux stone accents that will completely update the look of your Houston Texas area home?  

By adding Ply Gem Stone accents you can make your home more aesthetically appealing adding great curb appeal, a different look that stands out from the rest.  Well, whether you want to increase your home’s value, replace rotted siding or you just looking for fresh look, this post offers some helpful insight about this great exterior product.

First off, I find that many folks who decide to replace their siding often duplicate the same or similar pattern currently on their homes. Consider updating the look of your home by changing up the siding pattern by adding accents such as Faux Stacked Stone Siding will adds curb appeal as well as bringing the homes exterior to a more up-to-date look. You will find this will really pay off when it comes time to sell your home not to mention your neighbors and friends will certainly take notice.

Durable and Warm

Click To Enlarge – Faux Stacked Stone

Faux Stacked Stone (natural stone, cultured stone, stone veneer or manufactured stone) also gives any home exterior a warm and earthy feel that says, “welcome home”.  Stone Siding is also the most durable home exterior siding product on the market.

Low Maintenance

Faux stacked stone does not need painting, will not dent or chip and needs no upkeep at all. To be honest, Faux Stacked Stone Siding will outlast all of us continuing to look good for our children and even our grandchildren. It will surely withstand the test of time for all to appreciate and enjoy.

How is it Installed?

Faux Stacked Stone is a veneer siding product, meaning that it is a layer of exterior product that is installed to finish out an exterior wall and protect the home from exteriors elements such as wind, moisture, rain, ice snow. For instance, here in Houston Texas faux stacked stone keeps the rain and moisture from penetrating into the walls, protecting our homes from the climate conditions of TX.

Measure the area:

Click To Enlarge – Faux Stacked Stone Siding Texas Home Exteriors Houston The Woodlands TX

The faux stone installer will measure the linear feet of any corners as well as the square footage of each wall for flat stones. To arrive at the total square footage of flat stones needed, he will subtract the square footage of any openings like windows, as well as the linear footage of the corners. To compensate for normal job site waste, he will order at least 10% more than the final square footage. He will also determine how much premix mortar or mortar and masonry sand are needed for the project.

Preparation of the Siding Area:

Preparing the walls is key to a quality application, and a weather-resistant barrier is a requirement for both interior and exterior applications. This consists of two layers of either a Weather-Resistive Barrier like Dupont Tyvek HomeWrap or felt (15 lb), metal wire lath and a scratch coat of pre-mix mortar like Quikrete or type S or N mortar. When these are installed, the scratch coat needs to be left to dry for for at least a good 24-48 hours.

Installation of the Stone:
Non Panels

Click To Enlarge – Faux Stone Home in Tomball Texas

Once the walls are prepared, it’s time to apply the stone. Your installer will lay out stones from multiple boxes to ensure the broadest range of stones for variety and a lower repeat rate unless this has already been organized by the manufacturer. The

corner stones are usually applied first, alternating long and short sides. Next, the flat stones are applied on the wall, working them into the corners.

Stones are applied by adding mortar to the back and wiggling them onto the dry scratch coat to ensure a seal. To fit stones into the space, your installer will size them as necessary using anything from a wet saw to a chisel or back of a hammer.

Grouting the joints
NA For Panels:

To finish the look, after the stones are on the wall, your installer will go back around and add a mortar joint grout in between the stones for non-dry stack applications. For a standard joint, as you would see with a fieldstone style, for instance, the installer uses a grout bag to add mortar in the space between stones. When the mortar is thumbprint dry, a pointing tool is used to smooth out the spaces. Drystack applications are designed to show no visible mortar joint between stones.

Correct installation will ensure that their will be no problems down the road. Great companies like us here at Texas Home Exteriors will strictly perform correct practices for installations to meet guidelines set by the manufacturer for warranty. With the addition of Faux Stacked Stone Siding you will enjoy the fresh, war look as well as compliments from your friends and certainly be the envy of any neighborhood! Wouldn’t it be great to be the first in your neighborhood to get this great look on your home? When you call our office at Texas Home Exteriors we will most certainly help you to achieve the look and feel that you desire for the exterior of your southeast Houston Texas home.

 Free Estimate From

[contact-form-7]

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.