Need to start siding my own home this spring. Upstate NY location, tall 3 story. Planning on using Hardy clapboards.
I’d like to get some opinions about using rain screen detail. Basically is it worth the extra time and effort? One man crew here with a lot to get accomplished this spring and summer. No problem spending the time if it’s worth it.
Also wondering about devices used to temporarily suspend and space the far end of a piece of siding while installing. Basically they allow solo installation. It seems like they maintain an even exposure on the courses. Confused as to how these things allow some variation between course exposure to line up with tops of window and door trim?
Thanks for any help.
Replies
Hardie lap siding is great stuff but a helper to just hold the other end would help you- its floppy- good summer job for a kid?
WRT the holding siding...I got a pair of the SoloSiders and I found them very easy to use and have the adjustability you mention. This link is to Amazon, and I notice of the 11 reviews all gave 5 Stars. In situation, they are more reliable than my access to a second pair of hands.
That's exactly what I need. Thanks a lot.
If it were me, I wouldn't consider doing it any other way than Rainscreen. It just makes too much sense to ignore, and you will sleep so well at night knowing you did it.
As for siding gauges that allow you to adjust the exposure, I agree with the above - I think the solosider is probably the best bet for that situation.
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
haven't used the solo sider ...
have used a coupla other similar ones that also hang from the top of the last row.
can be a pain in the #### to remove them quickly and move on.
best out there are the gecko gauges.
most expensive ... worth it.
they slip off and one easily with one hand.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I have to agree with the Ripster- Have a pair of SoloSiders and they are a pip! Did mucho research prior to purchase and found them to be the only adjustable ones out there at the time. Go to their site and watch the video which shows the adjustment in action. Like the man in the video says, if the winds a blowin', be prudent. Also on their site they have some printable "tables" per exposure in case you need to calculate some fudge factors to make things even out- a bit of a time saver.
First, I have to say that rainscreen is over-rated and over-used. If you have a good air/vapor barrier so that there is little to no moisture migration from inside to out, and you do a proper job of exterior flashing and detailing, simply using a good drainage plane membrane (such as 15# felt) and backpriming and end-sealing the siding, you shouldn't have any problems with longevity of either siding or finish.
Hardiboard, in particular, does not require a rainscreen the way white cedar sidewall shingles might, to prevent cupping.
As far as solo siding with lap siding, I do this all the time. You can purchase a device like the Solo Sider, or you can make simple jigs and modify for different exposures if necessary. Here is one I use often:
View Image
Solar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
Edited 3/12/2008 7:58 pm ET by Riversong
I like that.
You are echoing my fealings about "rain screen"
Personally when I side alone, I have chalk lines, gun in one hand knee and the other hand and manage quite well. Of course this is when using hardiplank
Cedar is so lite, it is very easy to side solo
I have mixed feelings about rainscreens too. Unfortunately here it is the law for all new residential buildings. It was brought in as a reaction to envelope failures due to poor building practices in BC. Now we are all stuck with it.
The rational I have heard for using it with Hardiplank is that well installed Hardi acts as an exterior vapour barrier and does not allow the wall to vent to the outside.
As an aside... Any thoughts on my wine storage insulation problem in the Energy and Insulation Forum?
The rational I have heard for using it with Hardiplank is that well installed Hardi acts as an exterior vapour barrier and does not allow the wall to vent to the outside.
I just looked up the perm rating of Hardiboard and it's just a hair over 1 for 7/16" thickness, pretty darn close to a vapor barrier.
That's yet one more reason for me to avoid using it. Besides having to protect your lungs from the silica dust (unless you're using a guillotine cutter), my thumb rule is to keep the outer skin of the wall at least 5x as permeable as the inside skin. No rain screen is needed in that case, as long as outside detailing is appropriate to prevent rain infiltration and a latex-based (permeable) exterior finish is used.
Riversong HouseWright
Design * * Build * * Renovate * * ConsultSolar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
Check into a new product I think called "slicker". it is tyvek or typar with a drainage, ventilation plane built in and in house wrap size. Saw a sample at a trade show a little while back.
Have a good day
Cliffy
Watch this:
http://www.pactool.us/demo/sa903.htm
"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."