Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 2000 06:52am | #1

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   Gary,

   I've put a fair amount of Colorlok on, all of it of the 8" variety.

   It is ridgid and fairly thick (about 3/8-7/16") and covers flaws in the wall fairly well, much better than even premium vinyl. I don't know that it covers irregularities any better than the old L-P OSB stuff did.

   It can be a pain to install, though and great care must be taken to seat it properly as it is placed. It has less room for vertical adjustments than even vinyl does. You'd better have a good starting line and end point figured out beforehand and check that it is running evenly from end to end as you install. It can be most difficult to match up on two and three story houses where they siding must match up over a roof line or other obstruction.

   The first outfit I worked for used it considerably as an upgrade siding from the L-P and we always installed it with individual tin corners. You have to be right on the money with those and installation can get tedious. Since I've been on my own I have always installed it with the 2 piece Masonite outside corner boards with base and colored cap sections. It works alot better, as minor variations around corners are permissible, and I think personnally constrasting corner colors look nicer anyway.

   I can't compare it to cement sidings as I have yet to use them in the lap variety.

   I'm not sure about the lawsuit issue, although I think because of the factory finish and guarantee it would be immune to the problems associated with run of the mill Masonite siding products.

   Expense wise it is not the cheapest siding available. Materials alone will run you around $100 a square in this area, with premium vinyl coming in the $75-90 range. I imagine the cement products are cheaper, but of course still need painting, etc.

   All in all, I like Colorlok. With conscientous installation it can be an attractive siding choice.

   Dick Streff

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   Guest_ | Mar 08, 2000 01:58am | #3

   *Gary: I think colorlok is superior to vinyl or steel. I know that a lot of people do not share this view. We installed our first colorlok in the spring of 1978. The siding is still in use and has never been painted. As stated in the previous post it needs more attention as it is being installed but it is worth it. I think you will be pleased with the product. Dick covered the basics on the installation.Ron.

2. 
   Gary_Perlow | Mar 08, 2000 01:58am | #2

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   Does anybody have experience with this material, particularly its ability to hide flaws in the sheathing and/or framing, and ability to withstand buckling once the sheetrock is installed. How does it compare with vinyl (sorry, you purists) and cement siding. Does anyone know if colorlok was one of the siding products that Masonite was sued for, a couple of years ago? Thanks for your advice.