In the 1980s and mid-1990s, hardboard siding was a popular option. This siding is also known as pressboard, and it is made from a mix of glues, resins, and wood fibers. During the manufacturing process, heat and pressure are used to bind the materials together. If your home has this material, you might have questions about replacing it. With this guide, you will learn more about hardboards and find out why you should replace them.
Issues With Pressboard Siding
The popularity of hardboard started to wane after a national class-action lawsuit in 1994. This legal claim was settled against the largest manufacturer of hardboard siding products in the country. After the case, all manufacturers stopped selling this siding.
One of the biggest complaints with this siding is its ability to absorb water naturally. When water enters the siding, it starts to lose durability, and deterioration begins to set in the product. There are some common signs of water absorption, such as warping, buckling, rotting, softening, blistering, and swelling. Along with that, you might notice insect infestation and mold development.
Does Your Home Have Hardboard Siding?
Now that you know the issues with hardboard siding, you might be wondering if this product is on your home. Once you know the siding type, you can adequately care for it.
Look at an unfinished area of the siding in a garage or attic. Some markers will denote the manufacturer. These markers may be hidden by tar paper that is attached to the backside of the siding. You can always pull that tar paper away to identify the AHA (American Hardboard Association) code or manufacturer name. With the AHA code, you can search online to determine the siding material types, location of production, and the siding manufacturer.
Some of the most popular brands of pressboard include LP’s Inner-Seal or IP’s Masonite Omniwood. If you need to know the best-selling manufacturers, the most common names are Boise Cascade, Weyerhaeuser, Georgia Pacific, and Abitibi-Price.
What To Do If Your Home Has Hardboard Siding?
If you have a hardboard in your home, you need to determine its condition. You can inspect the siding by yourself, but you might want to call an experienced siding team to look at the materials. With a professional inspection, you can be assured that the material is in excellent condition on your house.
Once you have checked out the hardboard siding, you need to assess if there is any damage. For those homes with no apparent damage, you can keep using it as a siding option. However, you will want to check for any signs of blistering, rotting, softening, or warping. Make sure to inspect those areas near the ground or spots where the siding meets other parts of the building.
After that, take some time to inspect for any minor damage. These signs might be as simple as a discolored nail head. You can improve the look of your hardboard siding by caulking or painting over the nails. However, if there are any signs of deterioration, the siding will need to be replaced.
Any significant damage will mean a complete replacement of the siding. You need to replace these items to stop damage to your home’s structure. In some cases, deteriorating siding can lead to contamination of your home’s indoor air quality. Since the hardboard is no longer manufactured, you might find problems with trying to replace the boards.
Many homeowners are replacing the siding with more durable options, such as vinyl siding or fiber cement. When you add these materials to your home, you will notice a difference in thickness, style, color, and texture. Instead of replacing a few boards, you should opt to replace an entire wall or section of the home for a more uniform look to your house.
Ways To Maintain Hardboard Siding
If you have no signs of damage, you are one of the few lucky hardboard siding homeowners. In this case, you want to keep those hardboards in optimal shape. Here are some tips for maintaining the look of your hardboard siding.
Inspect Your Boards
You need to inspect the siding for loose nails, holes, and cracked paint in the spring and fall. Any of these signs of aging might signal that you will have problems with moisture and water seepage.
Move The Ground Away From The Siding
If the ground starts to slope towards the siding, then you have a chance that water will pool around your home. When there is excess water near the hardboard siding, it can start to deteriorate. Make sure to slope away any of the earth from the foundation or walls. With a bit of extra work, you can keep away mildew, rot, and mold.
Keep Nature At Bay
Since hardboard siding is known to absorb water, any new installation should be kept about 6 inches above the ground. You also want to keep plants, vines, and other vegetation away from your hardboard siding.
Provide Proper Water Drainage
If you want to maintain the health of your hardboard siding, then keep those downspouts and drain pipes about 6 feet away from any exterior wall. Throughout the year, make sure those water drainage spots stay free from blockages or obstructions.
Maintain Your Gutters
If there are any damaged or clogged gutters, make sure to get them fixed as soon as possible.
Keep Sprinklers Away
You never want to point your sprinklers near hardboard siding. When the siding is exposed to water, it can create problems for the siding.
Clean Your Hardboard Siding
While other types of siding can handle pressure washers, you want to keep them away from hardboard siding. At a high rate of speed, it can cause cracks and split the material.
Make Prompt Repairs
If there are any signs of damage, you need to make immediate repairs. Some of these issues can come in the form of missing caulk, rusted nails, or cracked paint.
We Can Replace That Old Hardboard Siding
If your hardboard siding is damaged or you want it replaced, make sure to call RGB Construction. We can find new siding options that will make your home stand out from the crowd. To schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 856-264-9093.
