Thermally modified siding and rainscreen is one of the trends in the building industry. Most homeowners choose this option when renovating or moving into new homes. However, one of the problems homeowners face with this siding option is improper installation. That’s why most of them spend a lot of money on maintenance and repairs. Look at some mistakes to avoid during siding and rainscreen installation.
Improper Nailing Techniques
When installing your siding and rainscreen, remember that wood requires adequate spacing for expansion and contraction. You should not nail the boards too tight to prevent buckling or cracking. However, you shouldn’t nail the boards too loose because they will sag during the summer when the temperatures rise. Also, ensure you use the appropriate nail sizes so that the nail heads are not visible after installation.
Joint Overlap
When installing your thermally modified siding and rainscreen, the ends of the boards must overlap. The extent of overlap depends on the type of siding you are installing. If the overlap is more or less than necessary, you may end up having a wavy or sagging siding to deal with. The effective way to avoid such mistakes is to seek professional involvement in your installation project. Professionals have years of experience in siding installations and can easily handle the project without loose ends.
Poor Clearance
Moisture is one of the threats to building products, and thermally modified wood is no exception. Though your siding and rainscreen can withstand moisture damage to some extent, too much exposure can eventually damage your siding. One of the mistakes to avoid during siding and rainscreen installation is poor clearance. After installations, you should ensure no moisture is trapped behind your siding.
Skipping Insulations
One way to protect your new siding and rainscreen is to use additional insulation. Extra insulation will protect your siding from damage, minimize foam issues and reduce noises. If you skip insulations, you may have to replace and repair your siding and rainscreen now and again. However, before insulating your siding, find out the best insulator to use to avoid future inconveniences.
Using Low-Quality Siding Materials
Before picking on any installation project, you must find the best building products to use to achieve a successful project. You can always review products and companies to choose the best siding and rainscreen for your new building. When making your choice, you should go for a siding and rainscreen that will add great value to your property. Sherwood Lumber is a very reputable company with high-quality building products. Our Americana siding and rainscreen guarantee high-quality performance regardless of exterior threats such as moisture.
Once you are aware of the mistakes to avoid during siding and rainscreen installation, you can achieve stress-free installations. One of the ways to avoid these mistakes is to leave the installations in the hands of professionals. Also, choose a reputable siding brand to enjoy years of high-quality and maintenance-free performance.
