Siding and Cladding for Facade Renovations in Lansing, MI

Assessing Your Existing Facade: The First Step

Before any new material is chosen, a comprehensive inspection of your current facade is paramount. Look for signs of water intrusion, rot, insect damage, or structural weaknesses. Pay close attention to areas around windows, doors, and rooflines, as these are common points of failure. Documenting these conditions with photos and notes will inform your material selection and any necessary repair work.

Consider the existing wall assembly: Is it a framed wall with sheathing, masonry, or another construction type? Understanding the substrate is crucial for determining appropriate fastening methods, ventilation requirements, and the overall compatibility of new siding or cladding. This initial assessment helps prevent unforeseen challenges during installation and ensures the new facade performs as intended.

Material Options: Thermally Modified Wood

Thermally modified wood offers a natural aesthetic with enhanced stability, making it a suitable choice for facade renovations. The modification process uses heat to alter the wood's cellular structure, improving its resistance to decay and dimensional changes from moisture.

Options like Scandinavian thermally modified wood, Ayous, Ash, or Clear Radiata provide distinct grain patterns and color variations. These materials can be installed as part of a rainscreen system, which is beneficial for managing moisture, especially in climates with significant temperature fluctuations. While thermally modified wood can be left to weather naturally to a silver-gray patina, it can also be finished to maintain its original color. Consider the long-term appearance and maintenance commitment when selecting.

Explore our selection of <a href="/thermally-modified-wood">thermally modified wood</a> for more details.

Material Options: Maximo Accoya

Maximo Accoya is an acetylated wood product known for its durability and stability. Acetylation is a non-toxic process that enhances the wood's performance, making it highly resistant to rot and dimensional changes. This makes it a strong candidate for facade renovations where longevity and low maintenance are priorities.

Accoya's consistent quality allows for precise milling into various siding and cladding profiles. It can be finished with paints or stains, or left natural to develop a weathered appearance. Its stability means fewer concerns about expansion and contraction, which is particularly advantageous for maintaining tight, clean lines on a facade.

Learn more about <a href="/products/maximo-accoya">Maximo Accoya</a> and its applications.

Material Options: Brazilian Hardwoods

Brazilian hardwoods such as Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Angelim, and Jatoba offer exceptional density and natural resistance to decay and insects. These woods provide a rich, deep aesthetic and are known for their inherent strength, making them suitable for impactful facade designs.

Each species presents a unique color and grain. Ipe is renowned for its strength, while Cumaru offers golden tones. Garapa is a structural workhorse, and Jatoba provides dramatic figure. These materials require specific fastening techniques due to their density and are often chosen for their bold character and long-term performance.

Consider the density and weight of Brazilian hardwoods during installation planning, especially for larger facade areas. Regular maintenance is typically recommended to preserve their original color.

Material Options: Norx Composite Cladding

Norx composite cladding provides an alternative to natural wood, offering consistent appearance and reduced maintenance. Manufactured from a blend of materials, Norx products are engineered for durability and resistance to common issues like rot, insects, and splitting.

Norx composite cladding is available in various profiles and colors, allowing for a contemporary or traditional aesthetic without the need for periodic staining or painting. Its uniform dimensions can simplify installation, and it is often chosen for projects where a consistent finish and minimal upkeep are desired. When considering composite cladding, review specific product documentation for installation guidelines and recommended cleaning practices.

Explore the <a href="/brands/norx">Norx brand</a> for available composite cladding options.

Worked Example: Renovating a 20-Foot x 10-Foot Wall Section

Let's consider renovating a specific section of a Lansing facade: a single wall measuring 20 feet wide by 10 feet high, totaling 200 square feet. This section has two windows, each 3 feet wide by 4 feet high, and one door, 3 feet wide by 7 feet high. The total area of openings is (2 * 3 * 4) + (1 * 3 * 7) = 24 + 21 = 45 square feet. The net area to be covered is 200 - 45 = 155 square feet.

For this example, we'll use a thermally modified Ayous cladding, assuming a board profile that covers 5.5 inches (approximately 0.458 feet) horizontally. The boards are typically available in various lengths, such as 8, 10, 12, and 16 feet. To minimize waste, it's often best to order longer boards and cut them to fit, accounting for window and door openings and potential offcuts.

To cover 155 square feet with boards that are 0.458 feet wide, you would need 155 / 0.458 = 338.43 linear feet. Considering a 15% waste factor for cuts, errors, and material handling, you would need approximately 338.43 * 1.15 = 389.1 linear feet. If you primarily use 12-foot boards, this translates to roughly 389.1 / 12 = 32.42 boards. Therefore, you would order 33 individual 12-foot boards. This estimation provides a starting point; actual quantities may vary based on specific layout, cut plans, and installation preferences.

Remember to account for starter strips, trim pieces around openings, and any corner details separately, as these are not included in the main cladding calculation.

Before you order

• Have you thoroughly inspected the existing facade for damage, moisture, and structural integrity?
• Is the existing wall assembly compatible with your chosen siding/cladding material and fastening system?
• Have you accounted for local weather conditions (e.g., freeze-thaw cycles, humidity) in your material selection?
• Do the chosen materials meet your aesthetic goals for color, texture, and profile?
• Have you considered the long-term maintenance requirements of the material?
• Is a rainscreen assembly appropriate for your project, and have you planned for proper ventilation and drainage?
• Have you calculated the net area to be covered, factoring in all openings and a waste percentage?
• Have you planned for starter strips, trim pieces, and corner details?
• Have you consulted with a contractor or experienced installer regarding the chosen materials and installation methods?

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.

This is a planning guide for projects in Lansing, MI. Ask our team to confirm availability, delivery to your ZIP code and which branch can support your order.

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