| Information
about Composition
Siding Issues
Composition
board siding is also known as "pressboard siding", "hardboard siding",
"waferwood siding" and "inner-seal siding". All these names
refer to the composite wood product made from wafers of wood, coated in resin and formed
into a mat. An overlay is placed over the mat and pressed into the panels by heat
and pressure and the panels are then cut into boards to make lap or panel siding.
The major manufacturers of this product include Louisiana-Pacific (L-P), Georgia-Pacific
and Masonite, usually identified by the manufacturers seal on the underside of the
siding board.
Wood, by its very nature, has a tendency to expand and contract.
Compressing the wood during the manufacturing process has placed the wood in an unnatural
state. Wood will expand if it is exposed to moisturethe compressed cells in
the wood will expand and swell. Proper installation and maintenance are critical for
this product to perform. Exposed edges must be sealed with a good coat of paint, and
the wood must remain sealed throughout its life. If the composition board siding is
improperly installed or maintained, the siding retains moisture and begins to swell, crack
and rot.
Several class action lawsuits are taking place throughout the country
involving different composition board manufacturers. In some cases the only way to
determine which product is installed is to remove a section of the siding and look for the
manufacturers identification number. Once the product is identified, more
information can be obtained from the following links:
Weyerhaeuser
Masonite
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