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siding, for the side of a Barn .]] Siding is the outer covering or Cladding of a House meant to shed water and protect from the effects of weather. Additionally, the siding on a building is a key element in the aesthetic beauty of the structure--a feature that directly impacts the property value. Siding may be formed of horizontal boards or vertical boards (known as Weatherboarding in many countries), Shingle s, or sheet materials. In all four cases, avoiding wind and rain infiltration through the joints is a major challenge, met by overlapping, by covering or sealing the joint, or by creating an interlocking joint such as a tongue-and-groove or Rabbet . Since building materials expand and contract with changing temperature and humidity, it is not practical to make rigid joints between the siding elements. Siding may be made of wood, metal, plastic(vinyl), . WOOD SIDING Siding is often made out of Wood in overlapping horizontal rows or "courses", called Clapboard . In colonial times, Eastern White Pine was the most common material. Wood siding can also be made of unpainted weather-resistant woods such as Redwood . Jointed horizontal siding may be Shiplap ped. Vertical horizontal siding may have a cover over the joint: board and Batten , popular in American wooden Gothic Revival houses; or less commonly behind the joint--batten and board. Plywood sheet siding is sometimes used on inexpensive buildings, sometimes with grooves to imitate vertical Shiplap siding (T1-11). Wood Shingle s or irregular cedar " Shake " siding was used in early New England construction, and was revived in Shingle Style and Queen Anne Style architecture in the late 19th century. Today, wood siding is very versatile in style and can be used on a wide variety of homes in any color palette desired. Though installation and repair is relatively simple, modern wood siding requires more maintenance than other popular solutions, requiring Treatment every 4-6 years depending on the severity of the elements to which it is exposed. Ants and termites will harm wood siding, requiring extra treatment and maintenance that can significantly increase the cost in some pest-infested areas. Wood is a moderately renewable resource and is biodegradable. However, the paints and stains that are most often used to treat wood are not environmentally friendly and can be toxic. Wood siding can provide minimal insulation, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of a structure. PLASTIC SIDING Wood clapboard is often imitated using Vinyl Siding or UPVC Weatherboarding . It is usually produced in units twice as high as clapboard. Plastic imitations of wood shingle and wood shakes also exist. Vinyl or plastic siding has grown in popularity due to the generally low maintenance and low cost appeal it offers. Since plastic siding is a manufactured product, it may come in limited color choices. Historically vinyl sidings would fade, crack and buckle over time, requiring the siding to be replaced. However, newer vinyl options have improved and resist damage and wear better. Vinyl siding is sensitive to direct heat from grills, barbecues or other sources. Unlike wood, vinyl siding does not provide additional insulation for the building, unless an insulation material (e.g. foam) has been added to the product. Vinyl siding does not require the consumption of natural resources (such as trees or stones), but it is difficult to dispose of responsibly. It cannot be burned (due to toxic dioxin gases that would be released) and currently it is not recycled. METAL SIDING Metal siding comes in a variety of materials, styles and several colors--but it is most often associated with modern, industrial and retro buildings. Utilitarian buildings often use corrugated Galvanized Steel sheet siding or cladding, which often has a coloured vinyl finish. Corrugated Aluminium cladding is also common where a more durable finish is required. Formerly, imitation wood clapboard was made of aluminum: 'aluminum siding'. Aluminum siding is ideal for homes in coastal areas (with lots of moisture and salt) since aluminum reacts with air to form aluminum oxide, an extremely hard coating that seals the aluminum surface from further degradation (as compared to iron or steel that forms 'rust' which can weaken the structure of the material). Steel siding is excellent for regions with severe storms--especially if the area is prone to hail. Metal sidings are very energy intensive to manufacture and do not provide insulation for a structure. Additionally metal sidings are manufactured with non-renewable resources and often have to be shipped long distances. Despite these drawbacks, metal siding is durable, requires minimal maintenance, is fire resistant and can be very cost effective. MASONRY SIDING Masonry sidings are varied (brick, stone, stucco) and can accommodate a variety of styles--from formal to rustic. Though masonry can be painted or tinted to match many color palettes, it is most suited to neutral earth tones. Masonry has excellent durability (100+ years), and minimal maintenance is required. The primary drawback to masonry siding is cost, though some stucco options can be similar to wood siding costs. Precipitation can threaten the structure of buildings, so it is important that the siding will be able to withstand the weather conditions in the local region. For regions that receive a lot of rain, modern stucco mixtures, specifically EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems), have been known to suffer underlying wood rot problems with excessive moisture exposure. However, original stucco mixes (cement, lime, sand, and water) and many of the newest synthetic mixes are compatible with moist conditions. The environmental impact of masonry depends on the type of material used. In general, concrete and concrete based materials are intensive energy materials to produce. However, the long durability and minimal maintenance of masonry sidings mean that less energy is required over the life of the siding. COMPOSITE SIDING Various composite materials are also used for siding: Asphalt , Asbestos , Fiber Cement , Aluminum (ACM) ''etc.'' They may be in the form of shingles or boards, in which case they are sometimes called Clapboard . Composite sidings are available in many styles and can mimic the other siding options. Composite materials are ideal for achieving a certain style or 'look' that may not be suited to the local environment (e.g. corrugated aluminum siding in an area prone to severe storms; steel in coastal climates; wood siding in termite-infested regions). Costs of composites tend to be lower than wood or masonry options, but vary widely as do installation, maintenance and repair requirements. Not surprisingly, the durability and environmental impact of composite sidings depends on the specific materials used in the manufacturing process. |
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