Refreshing a Facade with Siding and Cladding

Assessing Your Existing Facade: Beyond the Surface

Before selecting new siding or cladding, conduct a detailed inspection of your current facade. Look for signs of water intrusion, rot, insect damage, or structural issues. Pay close attention to areas around windows, doors, and rooflines, as these are common points of failure.

Any existing damage should be repaired before new materials are applied. This might involve replacing deteriorated sheathing, addressing flashing deficiencies, or improving drainage. A sound underlying structure is crucial for the performance and appearance of your new facade. Consider consulting with a qualified builder or inspector for a professional assessment.

Material Selection: Balancing Aesthetics and Performance

Lumber Plus offers a range of siding and cladding options, each with distinct characteristics suitable for different project requirements. Your choice will influence not only the visual appeal but also the long-term maintenance and durability of your facade.

Thermally modified wood, such as Scandinavian thermally modified wood or thermally modified Ash, offers enhanced stability and resistance to decay, making it suitable for exterior applications. These materials often present a clean grain, contributing to contemporary facades. Ayous cladding, for example, is a lightweight option within this category. Maximo Accoya is another modified wood option known for its stability and durability, distinct from thermally modified wood.

Brazilian hardwoods like Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Angelim, Jatoba, and Tigerwood provide bold grain patterns and natural resistance, often chosen for their strength and visual impact. Norx composite cladding offers a consistent appearance and minimal maintenance, available in various finishes like London Black or Navona Black.

Consider the local climate, sun exposure, and desired maintenance level when making your selection. For example, a coastal elevation might benefit from materials with proven stability and resistance to environmental factors, while a sun-exposed facade might require materials that resist UV degradation.

Profile and Layout: Shaping Your Facade's Character

The profile of your chosen siding or cladding material, along with its installation layout, significantly impacts the final aesthetic. Different profiles create varying shadow lines and textures, influencing how light interacts with your facade.

Lumber Plus offers in-house milling for custom profiles and dimensions, allowing for unique design possibilities. Whether you envision a vertical, horizontal, or mixed layout, consider how the chosen profile will complement the architectural style of your home.

For example, a traditional lap siding profile creates distinct horizontal lines, while a tongue-and-groove or shiplap profile can offer a more seamless appearance. The choice of profile also affects installation methods and detailing around openings and corners.

Worked Example: Updating a 10-foot by 20-foot Wall with Norx Composite

Consider a hypothetical project to refresh a single exterior wall, measuring 10 feet high by 20 feet wide (200 square feet), using Norx composite cladding in a horizontal application. For this example, we'll assume a Norx plank profile that is 6 inches wide (0.5 feet) and available in 12-foot lengths.

To cover the 10-foot height, you would need 10 feet / 0.5 feet/plank = 20 planks stacked vertically. Each horizontal course will require two pieces: one 12-foot length and one 8-foot length (20 feet - 12 feet). Since the planks are only sold in 12-foot lengths, an 8-foot section would come from a cut 12-foot plank, leaving a 4-foot offcut.

For each 10-foot course, you would need one 12-foot plank and one cut 12-foot plank to yield an 8-foot section. Therefore, for each horizontal course, you purchase two 12-foot planks. With 20 courses needed for the 10-foot height, the total number of 12-foot planks required would be 20 courses * 2 planks/course = 40 planks. This calculation assumes minimal waste and careful planning for cuts and transitions.

Planning for Installation and Long-Term Care

Proper installation is critical for the performance and aesthetic of your new facade. This includes ensuring adequate ventilation, drainage, and appropriate fastening methods for the chosen material and wall assembly. For many siding and cladding applications, a rainscreen assembly is recommended to manage moisture effectively.

Different materials have varying maintenance requirements. Thermally modified wood and Brazilian hardwoods may benefit from periodic cleaning and, if desired, re-oiling to maintain their original color, though they can also be allowed to weather naturally to a silver-gray patina. Composite cladding typically requires less maintenance, often just periodic cleaning with soap and water.

Always refer to the manufacturer's specific installation guidelines and maintenance recommendations for your chosen product to ensure its longevity and to uphold any applicable performance expectations.

Before you order

• Have I thoroughly inspected the existing facade for damage or structural issues?
• Are all necessary repairs to the underlying wall assembly planned before new installation?
• Which siding or cladding material best suits my aesthetic goals and performance needs (e.g., thermally modified wood, Maximo Accoya, Brazilian hardwood, Norx composite)?
• What profile and layout (e.g., horizontal, vertical) will achieve the desired visual effect?
• Have I considered the long-term maintenance requirements for my chosen material?
• Is a rainscreen assembly appropriate for my project, and how will it be detailed?
• Have I accurately measured the area and accounted for waste and cuts in my material quantity estimate?

Confirm installation details, approved uses and warranty terms in the current instructions for the exact product and profile. Your installer should verify the substrate, structure and applicable project requirements.

Questions to help you decide

Keep planning your project