What is Press Board Siding?

Pressboard siding, also known as synthetic wood siding or hardboard siding (not to be confused with HardiePlank siding), is made up mostly of wood fibers, flakes, or chips that are glued and resined together. From the 1980s through the mid-1990s, this style of siding was immensely popular as a low-cost alternative to other existing house sidings.

A class-action lawsuit settlement against some of the industry’s largest manufacturers in 1994 brought pressboard siding to national attention, stating that anyone who owned property built with the siding between January 1, 1980, and January 15, 1998 (dates vary by manufacturer) could be reimbursed for damages caused by the siding (if any). Almost all producers of hardboard siding materials stopped making them after the class action lawsuit.

But the problems related to it can be solved by replacing masonite siding.

PRESSBOARD SIDING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE PROBLEMS

Although pressboard siding absorbs water and swells slightly, this absorption rate may be kept to a safe level with careful installation and continuing maintenance. The main issue arises from incorrect installation. It will cost you in replacing masonite siding. Buckling, rotting, softening, scorching, extreme swelling, mildew, and insect infestation can all occur if hardboard siding is built incorrectly. Water seeps in through inadequately caulked seams, depressed nail holes, and cut edges close to the ground. Sidings that have been exposed to water will develop bulges, swellings, mildew, and eventually rot. Water can easily leak through due to the direct application of pressboard siding to stone surfaces.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE PRESSBOARD SIDING IN YOUR HOME

To begin with, having pressboard siding on your home does not necessarily indicate that you have a problem. The first thing you should do is evaluate the state of your siding and after that by replacing masonite siding.

NO DAMAGE WAS NOTICEABLE. Consider yourself lucky if your hardboard siding shows no indications of damage, but make sure to follow the care and maintenance instructions stated below to keep that luck going strong since undetected damage is possible with these types of pressboard siding products.

DAMAGE IS SLIGHT. If your pressboard siding appears to be in fair condition but has a few signs of water penetration (slight discoloration, rusted nails, etc. ),9the deterioration process can occasionally be slowed by applying paint and/or caulk on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the damage to hardboard siding has already been done after it has absorbed water, so this is not a long-term remedy. The damaged hardboard siding will cause problems in the future if it is not replaced. In this condition replacing masonite siding is the solution.

REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED IN CASE OF DAMAGE. Any rotten or bloated pressboard siding should be replaced as soon as possible. That water is not only causing damage to your siding, but it may also be ruining the structure of your home. Repairing a few boards has become tough since pressboard siding goods are no longer accessible. If you replace hardboard parts with acceptable replacement goods (fiber cement siding or vinyl siding), you will notice a difference in thickness (hardboard is thicker) and style/texture between the two siding items.

Replacing the entire wall will improve the overall appearance of your home and allow you to evaluate the sheathing for moisture damage or potential mold in other spots. Contact a licensed contractor to ensure that you are using a long-lasting replacement siding product and that the installation is done correctly.

How to Tell if Your House has Pressboard

In order to properly care for your home siding, you need to know the type of material and the manufacturer. The quickest approach to locate these criteria is to search for an unfinished section of siding in your garage or attic.

Manufacturers’ markings may be obscured by tar paper applied to the rear of the siding. To see the manufacturer’s name or an AHA (American Hardboard Association) code, pull the tar paper away. If you find the AHA code, the next step is to search online using the AHA code to find the siding maker, siding material type, and manufacturing location.

What is Good about Press Board Siding

Hardboard siding is a greatly enhanced version of Masonite, which was the first hardboard siding product. In truth, Masonite stopped producing siding products about 20 years ago, however builders and merchants still refer to newer hardboard siding products with the Masonite name.

Despite the bad reputation that hardboard still has, it has some redeeming characteristics. It may be painted practically any color, and the composite and surfaced plank board versions resist fractures and other surface problems that traditional wood suffers from.

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Hardboard lap siding is also the simplest to install on older homes with replacing Masonite siding or clapboard siding that requires minor repairs.