The Hardie T1-11 sample I saw today looked almost like my OSB-based T1-11,
grooves and texture, other than the grooves being real shallow. They
claimed they had it in mixed-in colors, as long as could live with a
factory color, no paint required for years and years. They are coming out
for an estimate this week. It IS expensive, so I probably won't be able
to afford to do the whole place at once. I'll probably start with the
faux chimney stack that the woodpeckers keep boring holes in, and maybe
the sunward side where the cracks are showing up. This OSB T1-11 is a
poor imitation of the Real Plywood based stuff we had when I was a kid.
It held up a LOT to weather. If it turns out I can't afford the Hardie,
I'll have to look at real plywood T1-11, if it is still available, and
if I can find somebody I can trust to put it up right, including the
pre-priming and Z-flashing. This house would look stupid in horizontal
siding, and I haven't seen any vertical other than real cedar ship-lap
around here, which is way out of my price range. (What idiot decided
OSB was usable for weather applications?)
--
aem sends...
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I understand, aem. The T1-11 on our house was put on in 1974 - that's 39
years!! OSB won't/ can't have that kind of longevity. Unfortunately, mine
is beginning to delaminate and is drying out with top layer curling on the
south side. I have been looking for a lower maintenance product for years
but I guess my stipulations are too stringent; it has to be a vertical
siding, it has to be rustic.
My explanation on these is that this is little more than a long rancher but
the hip roof and the T1-11 are the only things that makes it special. Yea,
it's not everyone's
cup of tea but it's mine.