What this covers
Engineered wood siding is made from wood strands or fibers bound with resin and wax, treated against rot and insects, and pressed into lap boards, panels and trim with a wood-grain face. It arrives primed or factory finished, is lighter than fiber cement, and cuts and nails with ordinary carpentry tools. The installer hangs it over house wrap and flashing, keeps the required gaps at trim and between butt ends, seals or flashes the joints as the maker specifies, and paints the primed product within the stated window. Careful work means every cut end is sealed, because that is where water gets in.
When to call
- You want the look of wood lap siding with less upkeep and a uniform face.
- A full reclad where budget and weight favor a lighter board than fiber cement.
- Siding replaced after storm damage where matching a wood look is the goal.
What to expect
- PlanProfile, color and trim are chosen and the maker's installation details reviewed.
- PrepareOld cladding is removed, sheathing repaired, and house wrap and flashing installed.
- InstallBoards are cut, ends sealed, and courses nailed into studs with the specified gaps and joint treatment.
- Paint and checkPrimed boards are painted, factory finishes touched up, and you review the walls.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
How is it different from fiber cement?
It is lighter, cuts without silica dust and is less brittle, but it is wood-based, so it depends on sealed edges and a maintained finish to keep water out. Fiber cement is heavier and more fire resistant.
Does it need to be painted?
Primed boards do, within the period the maker states. Factory-finished boards come colored and only the cuts are touched up.
Why are the joints and gaps so specific?
The board swells slightly with moisture. The small gaps at trim and the joint flashing or sealant let it move and keep water away from the end grain.
Related: Wood siding · Fiber cement siding · Siding repair · All siding, windows and doors
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