Siding Recommendations please.....

[AJP]

The construction on a new cottage has progressed to where we need to select siding... faces Lake Superior so wind and water penetration is a factor.

I don't particularly like the look of vinyl and had been leaning towards (eg the original plan) Hardie Board and my supplier has suggested that top end vinyl will run about $1.50 a sq ft vs $3.00 for something he calls MaxiPlank (says like Hardie Board) ...

When I went online I thought the MaxiPlank looked ok...BUT found various class action suits re early failure related to MaxiPlank. Would appear that the type of failure being experienced might apply to all of the "cement board" type siding..

I also looked at the foam backed vinyl which seems to address some of the concerns I had about vinyl eg flexing and cracking...

Trying to find a reasonable durable and low maintenance option. Unfortunately Brick is out of my price and stucco isn't my first choice given previous experience with it in water/freezing cycles...

Can anybody give me some guidance/advice.


thanks!

[Cookiemonster]

Material choice really depends on where the cottage is at.

Stucco is pretty much a zero maintenance material for warm to temperate climates,
Brick is the same for colder climates,
Vinyl should be the least expensive (material only). Labor is always negotiable.

I've installed and seen dozens of homes with Hardi-Plank & have yet to see or hear of any material failures.

[AJP]

Thanks Cookiemonster...

The Hardi-Plank was the original plan and I appreciate your endorsement!

Curious... would you happen to know what the score is with the MaxiPlank product problems?
If I end up with with Vinyl are there any to avoid? look for based on your experience..

[MOfj40]

x2 on the HardiPlank. If you use their paint and primer it's guaranteed for 50 years.

[firetruck41]

I had Hardiplank on the last house, it was great. I much prefer the look of wood or hardi-plank lap siding to vinyl, vinyl just never looks "real". The hardiplank takes paint well and holds up well. The paint on the houses across the street that had T-111 type wood siding needed a repaint after about 3 yrs, our hardiplank looked pretty much like new after ~6 years.

[Cookiemonster]

I'm not familiar with the Maxiplank so I really can't say as to quality & related issues.

Vinyl has come a ways from what it use to be, but the one downside is if your in a warmer climate there can be problems with proper sealing, due to exspansion & contraction at joints and seams.

I honestly wouldn't do vinyl nor do I recommend it, I'd go T-111 8" on center. With a ton of primer, stuff soaks up paint like a sponge. Life expectancy for T-111 is approx. 15-20yrs, with aleast 2 paint jobs (including the original).

I would recommend the Hardi-plank for several reasons. Takes the heat & cold very well. Impervious to insects, rot, and doesn't require alot of paint, or maintenance overall. Plus it is super easy to install, especially for a DIY'er. Vinyl is going to cost you labor for proper installation.

[MoJ]

Another vote for Hardie. We used the 8" pre-finished/painted horizontal and have been very happy with it.

In addition to the advantage listed above it also provides for nice fire retardant properties. I believe certain insurance companies will offer a discount if you're in a high risk fire area.

[bkfj40]

I thought most of the homes up there in the UP (eh!) were finished off with 15# felt paper

I would go with the hardiplank - it is hard to beat in a tough environment like that...


bk
- MTU grad

[AJP]

Thanks...

I thought most of the homes up there in the UP (eh!) were finished off with 15# felt paper

... well yeah eh.....I don't plan to cover every inch of the place eh... just nail enough sticks to keep the tarpaper from blowin off in de wind eh!

So's anyways .... Thanks for everyone's input - looks like Hardie is the preferred choice (I found several mentions of lawsuits against Maxi plank/panel so will steer clear of them) ... now I have to see what sort of price I can get ... as previously mentioned I was quoted $3/sq ft (for the Maxi stuff which is also a cement based product) . Since I am on the North side of the St Mary's river.. I might try shopping south of the line... if anyone has a recommended supplier for this stuff in the UP (Michigan) .. be very happy to hear about them.
thanks ...... EH!

[webelk6]

Originally Posted by AJP

The construction on a new cottage has progressed to where we need to select siding... faces Lake Superior so wind and water penetration is a factor.

I don't particularly like the look of vinyl and had been leaning towards (eg the original plan) Hardie Board and my supplier has suggested that top end vinyl will run about $1.50 a sq ft vs $3.00 for something he calls MaxiPlank (says like Hardie Board) ...

When I went online I thought the MaxiPlank looked ok...BUT found various class action suits re early failure related to MaxiPlank. Would appear that the type of failure being experienced might apply to all of the "cement board" type siding..

I also looked at the foam backed vinyl which seems to address some of the concerns I had about vinyl eg flexing and cracking...

Trying to find a reasonable durable and low maintenance option. Unfortunately Brick is out of my price and stucco isn't my first choice given previous experience with it in water/freezing cycles...

Can anybody give me some guidance/advice.


thanks!

How about pre stained cedar? I know it takes maintenance, but the magnificence of the look is unsurpassed.

And by the way this is my 500th post!:bo unce2:

[AJP]

And by the way this is my 500th post!:bo unce2:

Congratulations on 500!!
....Cedar would be nice... funny you should mention that ... the wood siding on my mothers house is over 45 yrs old and protected by oil based paint that has penetrated pretty deep - it has held up extremely well considering I've painted it only twice in the last 40 years.

Lumber prices are way down as well - at least what is being paid for it off the woodlot....in fact the 2x6's and 2x8's in this building came off of my lot cause the prices were so low was worth keeping it...

Maybe I ought to look into wood again...except I am pretty lazy about exterior maintenance!

thanks for the thought. Plan to do all the interior in pine and a little cedar for sure.

[webelk6]

Originally Posted by AJP

Congratulations on 500!!
....Cedar would be nice... funny you should mention that ... the wood siding on my mothers house is over 45 yrs old and protected by oil based paint that has penetrated pretty deep - it has held up extremely well considering I've painted it only twice in the last 40 years.

Lumber prices are way down as well - at least what is being paid for it off the woodlot....in fact the 2x6's and 2x8's in this building came off of my lot cause the prices were so low was worth keeping it...

Maybe I ought to look into wood again...except I am pretty lazy about exterior maintenance!

thanks for the thought. Plan to do all the interior in pine and a little cedar for sure.

IMHO you may want to weigh those costs. Cedar is a pain in the ass to maintain, however, old school homes are sided with it. If done right, You may get that kind of re coating time out of it as your Ma's house.

I do know if you go with the "natural" look as my house is, you will be doing it every 5 yrs. no matter what you use, so steer clear from that. If I didn't do what I do for a living , I would go with a man made material.

[AJP]

IMHO you may want to weigh those costs. Cedar is a pain in the ass to maintain, however, old school homes are sided with it. If done right, You may get that kind of re coating time out of it as your Ma's house.

I do know if you go with the "natural" look as my house is, you will be doing it every 5 yrs. no matter what you use, so steer clear from that. If I didn't do what I do for a living , I would go with a man made material

Thanks ... I was speaking with a gentleman in Michigan who does pre-coated red cedar ... various colours and natural. I understand from him that the natural is warrantied 5 years ... the full coat (painted) is warrantied 15 yrs .. although I don't know exactly what the warranty really means. Seems a shame to paint cedar but it seems to last real well that way. I used to do fences with creosote .. dark but holds up well, smelly..

My experience has been if you wash down old painted siding well with TSP (I have used mops, buckets and hoses) the next coat (when required) holds pretty well!

[Chevinater77]

I think the look of cedar will give many compliments to your home, I love cedar, however the hardi-plank looks great also and like everyone says will last a long time, plus you don't have to worry about bugs as it is a concrete fiber product (big plus) I am undecided between the two on the house i will be building, but might just spring for the Hardi- for the lack of time for maintenance on the cedar!

[orvis17]

I used this...very happy with it!
Rollex Aluminum & Steel Siding, Soffit & Rainware