Why Is My Masonite Siding Rotting?
If you’ve lived in Alabama for any length of time there’s a good chance you’ve heard about Masonite siding and more specifically, the issues with it. In addition to swelling and buckling, rotting is a very common issue with this type of siding. If your home is covered in Masonite siding and you’re wondering why it isn’t holding up too well, we have the answer. In a word, moisture.
A little background on Masonite siding in Alabama
Before we dive into the moisture element, let’s do a quick recap. Masonite siding was a very popular option for homes in the Greater Birmingham metro and throughout the state during the 80s and 90s but as we mentioned in a previous blog, What is Masonite siding?, with more than 10,000 claims and a class action lawsuit against manufacturer, Masonite Corp., it became known more for its issues than as a solid siding option.
How does moisture contribute to rotting Masonite siding?
Masonite siding is made from compressed wood fibers that are, unfortunately, highly susceptible to moisture damage. When water infiltrates the siding the end result is typically rotting as well as other issues that do not bode well for the siding’s longevity.
Improper installation and lack of maintenance often is the explanation for how water managed to get past the outer surface but exposure to extreme weather conditions can also cause rot to occur over time.
Repair or replace Mason siding?
Whether you should repair rotting Masonite siding or replace it completely depends upon a couple of factors. First, how bad is the damage? Small repairs can be made using a similar product or taking Masonite siding from another part of your home that is less noticeable. With proper, ongoing maintenance you may be able to extend the life of your Masonite siding.
For severe damage, the option of fixing the problem may be taken off the table. In cases like this, you may have to install brand new siding. The advantages to this option is that you can select better quality, longer lasting siding that also requires less maintenance.
Other siding options
For example, vinyl siding is a great option for low maintenance homeowners who don’t want to paint their siding every year or two. Also, there’s a ton of vinyl siding options on the market so you can achieve about any look you’re going for.
If you like the look of Masonite, you might want to consider hardie board – a fiber cement siding. A lower maintenance product than Masonite, hardie board siding allows you to mimic the look of shingles, shakes, and other styles.
Siding that fits your lifestyle
If you’re concerned about siding rot and are not sure what to do next, contact Serve One Construction.
Serving Mountain Brook, Hoover, and communities throughout Jefferson and Shelby counties, Serve One has been repairing Masonite for over 10 years and we have extensive experience installing new siding. When you schedule a free on-site consultation, our owner Nick will meet you at your home to discuss the state of your current siding and to go over options. Whether that’s fixing or installing new siding, our locally-owned and family-operated home improvement company will guide you through the process to ensure your solution fits your lifestyle.
