Often referred to as Georgia-Pacific®, Weyerhaeuser® or Masonite® siding, this type of siding is in fact made by numerous different manufacturers.
Each company’s fiberboard is made in roughly the same manner and tends to have the same general problems.
Reason for the Problem
After this siding has been installed for some length of time it tends to expand slightly. This causes the area around the nail heads to become damaged, this in turn allows moisture to penetrate the boards exterior surface and deteriorate the paneling. As the moisture level rises, the boards edges tend to expand breaking the paint, which then allows rainwater that hangs on the bottom edge to be absorbed, causing a breakdown of the glue and a total deterioration of the product.
Hardboard planking also tends to shrink and swell along its length, breaking the seal where the boards joins have been caulked during installation, again leaving them vulnerable to water penetration.
It is very important that the caulking on hardboard type siding is maintained in good condition. Regular repainting of the home is strongly recommended even though the previous paint may appear to be in good condition. Its the bottom of the board at the overlap that needs to be well painted.
It may be possible to slow down the deterioration of this siding by regular painting and caulking. Home owners should be aware that there will be problems with their siding in the future.
NOTE: There have been a number of class action lawsuits against the manufacturers of hardboard types siding.