Pressboard Siding Problems

How can you tell if your old hardboard siding has a problem.

Pressboard siding problems. An alternative to wood or richmond vinyl siding hardboard is a composite material made to look and feel like real wood and while it has improved dramatically over the years it s often still plagued with problems particularly after it s been up for a while. During the manufacturing process the materials are bound together using heat and pressure. This type of siding was extremely popular from the 1980 s to mid 1990 s as a low cost alternative to other existing house sidings. Composite siding is also known to develop problems due to manufacture defects which have resulted in many class action law suits some of which are ongoing or coming soon.

Pressboard siding also called synthetic wood siding or hardboard not to be confused with hardieplank siding is mainly comprised of wood fibers flakes or chips that are held together by glues and resins. Vinyl siding is itself water resistant and when it s installed without backing it can act as a natural rainscreen allowing water to drain out from behind it. So when moisture gets past the veneer that s on the front of it it gets in and it starts to swell says kelly smart of advanced home exteriors. Hardboard siding referred to interchangeably as pressboard siding is a synthetically constructed home siding product that is made from a mixture of wood fibers glues and resins.

It is extremely susceptible to moisture damage. If you see any of these issues your pressboard is past its prime. The manufacturers countered that the. Composite siding is man made boards manufactured for use as exterior siding made from various combinations of wood fibers fillers binders and glue.

Commonly referred to as pressboard or hardboard siding was widely used in the 1980 s and 1990 s as a lower cost alternative to solid wood siding. The inexpensive manufacturing costs of hardboard siding made it a. It was much the same as the problems with vinyl siding i mentioned a few weeks ago. The problems with pressboard siding one problem with hardboard is that it tends to absorb water making it deteriorate and shortening its lifespan.

Homeowners blamed the contractors and builders who installed the siding and the builders claimed the product was defective. Particleboard siding it s one of the many things nobody misses about the 80s. In 1994 pressboard siding gained national. This is an indication that moisture is regularly settling in a particular area.

The results especially with improper installation can be board swelling warping buckling blistering rotting and softening as well as mold development and insect infestation. When it gets this bad your options are few you can t find this product any more to make repairs. That popularity came to an abrupt end when the siding began falling apart after several years.