Superior Exterior Systems would like to thank all its clients and wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Happy New Years. Thank you to all our troops and Veterans for your service now and in the past. We welcome you back with open arms and our thanks could never be enough for your service. http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/

Superior Exterior Systems recently removed Panel Lp siding that was failing and put up Hardie Plank in Vancouver Washington. This is the style of Hardi Plank that people commonly refer to as T1-11 or “panel siding”.  When removing panel style Lp siding careful consideration should be taken that the sheet rocking screws on the inside of the home don’t start backing out  although it is inevitable that some will.  These interior screws can start to come out just enough to break the skin texture (also called orange peel) on the sheet rock inside the home.  The reason is that those screws have been in the studs and undisturbed for generally 15-20 years and, although a siding contractor should always be careful, the tension and vibration being created by removing the exterior panel Lp siding on the outside causes the “skin”  to show cracking on the inside.  The chances are that you already have sheet rocking screws that have cracked a bit just by the home settling. It’s a good idea to very carefully walk around the inside of your home and mark the areas that have already cracked from settling before you have your Lp siding replaced.  Note these with your siding contractor before work has started.  Take into consideration the age of your home and know that settling over time can easily cause this. On the home we finished in Vancouver, we were glad that only 6 screws started backing out on this 2 story home when we removed the panel siding and installed new Hardi Plank panel. For pics and more information feel free to visit http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ or simply call (360) 687-8936 or (503) 285-0875. Thanks for listening.

Are you selling or buying a home? Superior Exterior Systems has inspected many homes for both buyers and sellers. A home is the biggest investment you can make. Before you buy that dream home, make sure it’s not going to become your worst nightmare.  You may want to have one of our licensed inspectors check  the siding especially if you think it is Lp siding, Eifs stucco, t1-11 or any other type of siding.  We have even inspected homes that have Hardie Plank which was only 6 or 7 years old.  Don’t get fooled just because it may be a high end home.  Eifs stucco looks good on the outside but you’ll want to know what is happening underneath BEFORE you purchase.  Our inspections are free so you may want to know before you list the homes for sale if you are thinking of selling. Our inspectors have high end digitally calibrated moisture meters that can help you know if rain has been getting underneath. For photos of some homes feel free to visit  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/.

A local siding company,  Superior Exterior Systems just finished updating another home in Portland PDX.   This one got new siding, a new architectural shake roof and new double paned vinyl windows.  Although we specialize as a siding contractor in the portland vancouver area, Superior Exterior Systems also contracts other aspects on the exterior of your home.  If you need multiple exterior projects done like siding, roofing & windows its always better to contract with one company to reduce your cost since every company will have operating costs and instead of paying 3, you are only paying 1 .  This siding project went well with no problems and only minor rot found on the south wall which we expected.  The customers existing t1-11 siding was about 17 years old so it was pretty soft  in some areas. The original windows were aluminum so they were  happy to finally get energy efficient vinyl windows. If you need to have your home inspected or want to see photos of design ideas on how we can update your home, feel free to visit us http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ or simply call us at (503) 285-0875 if you live in the portland metro area or (360)687-8936 if you live in southern washington.

Superior Exterior Systems just finished a project  removing vinyl siding on a large home in the Livingston Mountain area.  The homeowner had leaks coming in thru their vinyl siding.  As a siding contractor in the Vancouver Washington and Portland Oregon metro we are truly un-biased as too which siding homeowners pick.  In addition to the leaks, the homeowner didn’t like the look of this particular vinyl which had been on for about 14 years and was clearly a low end vinyl.  I should mention that many of the higher end vinyls look exactly like real cedar.  This one didn’t.  They ended up having us remove all the siding and install popular Hardie Plank fiber cement siding.  We found substantial dry rot on a structural support beam under the siding that faced south.  Most homes have their problems on the southern exposure and this was no exception since it was up on a hill.  The windows were originally not flashed properly most likely to the fact that codes were much different 14 years ago. We’re glad we have another happy customer.  If you are having any problems with your siding and need a free inspection call us at (503) 285-0875 or (360) 687-8936 or visit us at  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/

Last year oregon started to enforce a rain screen ordinance to be applied under siding installations for what they consider to be proper rain drainage away from the building envelope sub wall.  This will not apply to any vinyl siding since vinyl is not hard nailed tight and already has space and has weep holes under the bottom of the drip edge.  Washington has not accepted rain screen as having validity and siding contractors in the southern washington area are pleased about that since it really doesn’t do anything even though it  sounds impressive  with a name like “rain screen”.  Its pretty gimmicky and clearly another way for the Oregon Contractors board to fine companies and create revenue for the financial difficulties the state of oregon has created for years.  Either way it must be done in Oregon.  A few house wrap manufactures have come up with a cost effective answer by simply adding small raised grooves to their house wrap.  I  recently spoke with a person who built a home by Tillamook directly on the beach and he said that the county inspectors and siding installation company didn’t know or care and didn’t use any special house wrap rain screen.  That was plain dumb. By the coast I  see the value since rain often gets in areas by strong winds blowing it sideways.  When rain gets behind the siding it is almost always around the windows and unless it comes out near the bottom of the window it will travel down behind the siding until it gets out or slowly evaporates. Evaporation will not happen if rain is consistent.  Although Superior Exterior Systems uses an oregon approved rain screen in the portland area, the best thing to do is to flash the window properly to code. We then go a few step further in more flashing for all around protection.   It doesn’t take much time so its not more expensive.  Hardi Plank fiber cement has definitely become the most popular product used by reputable siding contractors over the years. But remember it needs to be installed properly with extra flashing care in our rainy climate. So the bottom line - if a siding company is not telling you about rain screen and the exact way they flash, regardless of which state you are in,  you need to keep looking. Be careful with cheap.  Don’t sugarcoat cheap with a words like cost effective.  Don’t ever except a bid on the back of a business card.  We would love to help you.   For more info and pics of rain that has gotten behind siding, click on  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ Thanks for listening.

Over the last 2 decades a lot has changed for siding contractors & homeowners as to which siding product is most popular.  Cedar siding was popular for years but we in the northwest generally don’t like the cost and on going maintenance to keep it looking good. High end vinyl siding was more popular years ago than it is now but low end vinyl had a tendency to give it a bit of  bad name.  Some low grade styles tend to look “mobile home-ish”.   Higher end vinyl sidings look much more real and have impressive high wind ratings.  Without question, “Fiber cement” stole the  market years ago.  The 2  most popular fiber cement brands available in town are made by Hardie Plank and Certainteed Weatherboards.  To most homeowners they are hard to tell apart.  Older Hardi plank was un-primed which was a huge mistake with all our rain here in the portland - vancouver areas.  It also had a very artificial grain texture years ago.  Weatherboards has always had a very realistic grain & look.  Hardi clearly stepped up in its grain texture and appearance which is why they are hard to tell which is which from 10 feet away for most homeowners.  Hardi Plank also definitely has the name recognition as some people, even realtors who should know better, often call Weatherboards Hardie Plank.  For more information,details and pics of homes feel free to call us at (503) 285-0875 or (360) 687-8936 or simply log into    http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/

People often ask me if Hardie Plank fiber cement siding  can be installed in the rain.  First let me say that Superior exterior Systems is a completely independent siding contractor with no affiliations with any manufacture other than installing their products.  I can honestly say that over the years we have consistently installed more residential  Hardie PLank siding than anything else.  The local supply houses who stock Hardie siding have told me that year after year.  So can hardie Plank be installed in the rain?  The answer is yes if done properly.  If you have Lp panel style siding that  is getting soft at the bottom drip edge or around windows,  the question is do you want to leave that on another rainy season with potentially more expensive damage happening underneath?   If you have panel style, take 10 minutes and walk around your house and gently pull up every 12-16 inches or so along the bottom.  If you have a 2 story, see if the drip edge at the bottom of the 2nd story is swelling.  Take a crew driver and gently poke around the bottom corners of the windows. The south and west sides usually take most of the abuse so make sure to check those areas well.  If you have sprinklers check the siding where the sprinkler water  hits the house as this excellerates any wood decaying.  Heres the problem: panel Lp siding or ANY panel style siding (4 x 8 sheets) never has a moisture barrier.  It is nailed up directly over your studs.   Hardie can be installed in the rain.  Siding companies generally  give more competitive pricing to keep business flowing during the rainy season.  Hardie Plank comes covered with waterproof plastic put on at the factory because the back side of Hardie isn’t primed so that section should stay protected.  All 4 edges and the surface is primed to protect from the rain.  Superior Exterior Systems sprays an industrial strength fungicide on your wood as a mold inhibitor which also kills carpenter ants & termites.  I know of  no other company that uses this specific fungicide.  The fact is that if your house is completely dry and is sided during summer, we will still wet it since the fungicide is a powder and water is the carrier to spread the powder so that it can impregnate the wood.  If you are removing panel Lp siding, extra care needs to be taken so that your insulation doesn’t get wet.  Fiber cement is made for all climates so can be installed during the rainy season.  It is by far  the most common siding used here in the Portland - Vancouver metro. Look up my past blogs on Hardie Plank and its competitor Certainteed Weatherboards for more info on fiber cement siding. For pics and more technical info on your options log into  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ or simply call us at (503)285-0875 or (360) 687-8936.

As a siding contractor,  I have seen siding trends & styles come & go.  Hardi Plank  fiber cement siding is one that has come and stayed.  It has been the siding choice of homeowners consistently since it started being used in Vancouver and Portland metro areas.  Vinyl was popular before Hardi came into the northwest but vinyl siding took a back seat a long time ago.   As an independent siding contractor, Superior Exterior Systems orders and installs any siding products the consumer wants so we have no motivation to sell one product over another but Hardi Plank  is definitely what most people want.  Hardi fiber cement has been the siding of choice since it has been available since the mid 90’s in the northwest.  I seem to recall being introduced to it first around 1995 or so.  Over the years, we have installed so much of it exactly the way they want that we were privileged to get a personal invite from the  James Hardi organization.  They are very protective of the manufacturing process and generally don’t let people see it.  I  know of no other installer that has been there.  I believe it would be impossible for another siding contractor to get a tour of their factory now simply because it was so rare to get a tour when we did.  If you have any interest or want your siding inspected feel free to call (360) 687-8936 or (503)285-0875.  Log into http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ for more technical info and a picture gallery of Hardi Plank design ideas we’ve come up with.