This is part 1 of 3 in the series "Siding Curb Appeal--Selecting a Siding Product That Looks Good Now and Later".
When choosing a siding product, make sure you consider how the seams between 2 pieces of siding are addressed. There are several ways to adjoin siding together. The manner in which the siding is connected can dramatically affect the appearance and durability of the siding system.
Overlapping Siding Seams
Vinyl and aluminum siding seams are overlapped. This is because despite years of trying and hundreds of failed attempts no one has ever been able develop a way to effectively join vinyl siding at the seams. Vinyl and aluminum are typically less than 50/1000 of an inch thick (that’s about as thick as a credit card) and therefore cannot be just left end to end. Different systems have been tried including applying sealant, and having a joiner piece to hold the adjacent siding lengths in place. Part of the problem is that vinyl has a very high rate of expansion and contraction causing seams to open and close. Thus any attempt to join the seams has failed. Also, the seams need to be overlapped to avoid exposure of the wall underneath.
Tip: If you don’t like the appearance of overlapping seams then avoid thin siding that requires overlapping such as vinyl or aluminum siding.
End-to End Siding Seams
Traditional wood clapboard siding is lined up butt end to butt end and usually sealed with caulking before being painted. The purpose of joint sealant is to minimize water wicking through the end grain of the wood. Everlast and Fiber cement (concrete siding) are installed in much the same fashion. However because Everlast composite siding does not contain any water wicking wood particles, there is no need to seal the end joints. With fiber cement, just like wood clapboards, the end joints need spot painting or sealing and painting to avoid damage to the plank from water absorption.
Tip: If you don’t like the appearance of weathered caulking at the seams then consider a product that doesn’t require sealant such as vinyl siding or Everlast Composite Siding.
Author: Peter Martino
