Robert11 wrote:
....
consider using ... finger-jointed ...

Is it even available anymore ? "Much" cheaper than good quality single
length pieces ?

How has it held up in practice ?

I'm sure it is.
Not sure how much, but probably a fair amount.
IME, finger-jointed stuff for exterior use has failed uniformly.

For the last reason I won't use it for anything except some cheaper
installations and then only interior (casing, etc.)

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