Discussing exterior siding materials, consumers regard hardboard siding to be a cheap, effective, and amicable material. Like any other construction material, hardboard siding comes with its own pros and cons. With that said, let us discuss what makes hardboard siding ‘the one’ for you based on its benefits and drawbacks so you can come to the right decision.
When it comes to the affordability and cost, hardboard siding remains one of the cheapest siding materials homeowners can go for. Compared to other types of sidings such as the vinyl siding, wooden or fiber cement, a hardboard costs a lot less. It also makes it best suited for a working budget while at the same time offering an appealing and practical siding solution.
Hardboard is created from wood fibers; processed woods recovered from wood waste are commonly used in production of Environmentally Friendly Hardboard. This suggests that hardboard manufacturing can contribute less in waste thus making it environmentally friendly than other materials. Through this, the manufacturers come up with a product that has less effects on the environment as it is made of byproducts of wood.
Hardboard can optically imitate more elaborations of genuine wood siding boards, that’s why it is an ideal option for homeowners who desire to give their houses the look of traditional wooden siding but who also refuse extravagant expenses on that and constant care for the material. There are different textures and finishes to this product and can be adjusted for architectural preference in the house. Hardboard is versatile, and can be painted which enhances its customization aspect.
Another advantage is the product’s simplicity of installation. Hardboard siding is easily installed using standard carpentry tools such as a carpenter’s saw and hammer, and therefore may be suitable for home owners to DIY install. This also makes it easier to lift during professional installations, therefore cutting down on labor costs.
Despite its advantages, a hardboard has one major drawback: it is not very moisture-proof in its natural state. Unfortunately, hardboards are not resistant to moisture and, when exposed to damp environments, can easily soak up water, swell and warp over time. As a result, hardboard siding needs to be well sealed and painted to avoid it being affected by water. Besides, failure to perform these maintenance practices may lead to frequent repairs in the future.
Hardboard siding requires constant maintenance so that it remains in proper condition for use. For this reason, it needs to be painted and sealed often in order to have that appeal as well as prevent it from getting affected by moisture and insects. This ongoing maintenance can be a daunting exercise, and has been known to be costly especially when compared with other simpler housing materials like the vinyl siding.
There are times that hardboards can have an enhanced look and hold up well in areas that have little humidity or no moisture at all but they are not as durable as fiber cement or vinyl sidings. However, hardboard gradually deteriorates, especially if exposed to high humidity levels, frequent rains or other conditions considered to be unfavourable. However, if the hardboard cracks or breaks it may be more vulnerable to insects as well as rotting.
Similar to any other organic-based substance, hardboard siding is also vulnerable to insect infestation like termites and carpenter ants. If left untreated it can become infested with insects that feed on the wooden fibers. As a preventive measure on pest infestation, it is suggested that measures to control pests should be exercised from time to time.
Waterproofing hardboard siding is not without some measure of a challenge. The material used in the production of such structures is not naturally water-resistant, and thus it has to be treated to ensure it does not absorb water. Solutions such as painting the hardboard with water proof colour, applying sealants or even covering the hardboard with waterproof sheet are some of the measures that can be taken.
When making decisions on whether to use hardboard siding, every homeowner has to consider the price factor in relation to their ability to put up with the costs of hardboard siding and the costs of maintaining such a material. Therefore, if you don’t mind paying little monetary value and can afford time for its frequent maintenance, then hardboard siding is just for you. However, if you live in a region where there is much rainfall, much humidity, or if you do not want to spend much time managing the siding, there are other materials that should suit you, including vinyl and fiber cement.
For more information on the best siding options for your home or to hire us for the job, please contact JC Construction.