Help identify a type of siding
 

I have a cabin that was built in the 1940's and re-sided in the 60's or
70's. The siding has an approx 8 inch coverage per sheet. It's a
horizontal siding where each strip overlaps the one below it. Looks
similar to the natural redwood siding used on many homes in the 50's.

The material appears similar to masonite. It's a type of hard compacted
particles. The surface has been painted, I dont know if it came
pre-finished or not.

This siding is mostly still in good condition, except the bottom board,
which has weathered and has disintergrated on one side, plus there's a
hole in one board from a fallen tree.

I'm looking to see if I can purchase a few replacement boards to repair
the bad boards, and then repaint the whole cabin. For cost reasons, I
dont want to reside the whole thing, not to mention that I find today's
plastic siding repulsive, and there dont seem to be much else available
other than metal ribbed steel, which would make it look like a barn. I
doubt I'll find this stuff new, but maybe some demolition company will
have some boards. The problem is that I dont know what this stuff is
called, so it's hard to call places and ask them if they have it, when I
dont have a name for it.

Anyone know what this is called?

Thanks in advance.

Help identify a type of siding
 

On Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:43:30 -0500, wrote:

I have a cabin that was built in the 1940's and re-sided in the 60's or
70's. The siding has an approx 8 inch coverage per sheet. It's a
horizontal siding where each strip overlaps the one below it. Looks
similar to the natural redwood siding used on many homes in the 50's.

The material appears similar to masonite. It's a type of hard compacted
particles. The surface has been painted, I dont know if it came
pre-finished or not.

This siding is mostly still in good condition, except the bottom board,
which has weathered and has disintergrated on one side, plus there's a
hole in one board from a fallen tree.

I'm looking to see if I can purchase a few replacement boards to repair
the bad boards, and then repaint the whole cabin. For cost reasons, I
dont want to reside the whole thing, not to mention that I find today's
plastic siding repulsive, and there dont seem to be much else available
other than metal ribbed steel, which would make it look like a barn. I
doubt I'll find this stuff new, but maybe some demolition company will
have some boards. The problem is that I dont know what this stuff is
called, so it's hard to call places and ask them if they have it, when I
dont have a name for it.

Anyone know what this is called?

Sounds like "Masonite" siding. It's junk but if yours is really holding up,
good for you. Most is completely coming apart in 10-15 years. "Plastic"
siding (I assume you mean vinyl) isn't the only siding out there. Hardi
(Hardiplank and Hardipanel) makes some really nice, low maintenance, stuff.
You could probably use Hardiplank to repair, at least the bottom boards, of
your siding. It probably isn't the same thickness so would really only work
if the full bottom course is replaced.

Help identify a type of siding
 

Help identify a type of siding
 

On Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:19:21 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:

wrote:
I have a cabin that was built in the 1940's and re-sided in the 60's
or 70's. The siding has an approx 8 inch coverage per sheet. It's a
horizontal siding where each strip overlaps the one below it. Looks
similar to the natural redwood siding used on many homes in the 50's.

The material appears similar to masonite. It's a type of hard
compacted particles. The surface has been painted, I dont know if it
came pre-finished or not.

This siding is mostly still in good condition, except the bottom
board, which has weathered and has disintergrated on one side, plus
there's a hole in one board from a fallen tree.

I'm looking to see if I can purchase a few replacement boards to
repair the bad boards, and then repaint the whole cabin. For cost
reasons, I dont want to reside the whole thing, not to mention that I
find today's plastic siding repulsive, and there dont seem to be much
else available other than metal ribbed steel, which would make it
look like a barn. I doubt I'll find this stuff new, but maybe some
demolition company will have some boards. The problem is that I dont
know what this stuff is called, so it's hard to call places and ask
them if they have it, when I dont have a name for it.

Anyone know what this is called?


If it's about 1/8" thick, grey, and brittle, it may very well be asbestos.
It was quite popular in the early '50's.


I know what that stuff is, but that stuff only came in short sections.
I had to work with it a few times and needed to be drilled to pound in
nails or it would shatter.

This stuff is more like 1/2" thick, and comes in long sheets. I dont
know the original length, but the longest side of the cabin is 16 feet
and some strips are the full length. It's not brittle like asbestos,
and can be easily nailed. Its like masonite, the surface is smooth.

I removed one of the bad pieces yesterday. There is no name on the back
or anything other than numbers. Those appear to be a date, and the year
is 1969.

Help identify a type of siding
 

On 4/15/2012 4:46 AM, wrote:
On Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:19:21 -0500,
wrote:

wrote:
I have a cabin that was built in the 1940's and re-sided in the 60's
or 70's. The siding has an approx 8 inch coverage per sheet. It's a
horizontal siding where each strip overlaps the one below it. Looks
similar to the natural redwood siding used on many homes in the 50's.

The material appears similar to masonite. It's a type of hard
compacted particles. The surface has been painted, I dont know if it
came pre-finished or not.

....

Anyone know what this is called?


If it's about 1/8" thick, grey, and brittle, it may very well be asbestos.
It was quite popular in the early '50's.


I know what that stuff is, but that stuff only came in short sections.
I had to work with it a few times and needed to be drilled to pound in
nails or it would shatter.

This stuff is more like 1/2" thick, and comes in long sheets. I dont
know the original length, but the longest side of the cabin is 16 feet
and some strips are the full length. It's not brittle like asbestos,
and can be easily nailed. Its like masonite, the surface is smooth.

I removed one of the bad pieces yesterday. There is no name on the back
or anything other than numbers. Those appear to be a date, and the year
is 1969.

W/O anything but a verbal description (like a picture :) ) we're
guessing but likely was a hardboard siding (commonly called Masonite
even if was another manufacturer) or a similar product.

There's a useful fact sheet for identifying Masonite products altho may
not be of great help now that I think of it given the age; most is
concerned w/ the lawsuit settlement from a lesser-quality product during
the 80s rather than earlier, but it might be of some use. Go to
www.asurelook.com and click on the "Masonite fact sheet" link on the
left. It's got a lot of example types of multiple manufacturers.

Again w/o seeing the application it's hard to have too concrete
suggestions, but if the bottom row is close to the ground and is getting
water for that reason, I'd go w/ the other suggestion of Hardiplank or a
similar cement-board product over replacing w/ hardboard.

If it's only a single row another alternative would be the plastic
alternatives of Azek or similar that are now available.

--

Help identify a type of siding
 

On 4/15/2012 8:38 AM, dpb wrote:
....

If it's only a single row another alternative would be the plastic
alternatives of Azek or similar that are now available.
....

Specifically, replace the lowest level w/ a skirtboard.

http://www.azek.com/azek-skirtboard/

Obviously, again w/o an elevation or picture to go on this may not suit
but...

--

Help identify a type of siding
 

On Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:46:34 -0500, wrote:

On Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:19:21 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:

wrote:
I have a cabin that was built in the 1940's and re-sided in the 60's
or 70's. The siding has an approx 8 inch coverage per sheet. It's a
horizontal siding where each strip overlaps the one below it. Looks
similar to the natural redwood siding used on many homes in the 50's.

The material appears similar to masonite. It's a type of hard
compacted particles. The surface has been painted, I dont know if it
came pre-finished or not.

This siding is mostly still in good condition, except the bottom
board, which has weathered and has disintergrated on one side, plus
there's a hole in one board from a fallen tree.

I'm looking to see if I can purchase a few replacement boards to
repair the bad boards, and then repaint the whole cabin. For cost
reasons, I dont want to reside the whole thing, not to mention that I
find today's plastic siding repulsive, and there dont seem to be much
else available other than metal ribbed steel, which would make it
look like a barn. I doubt I'll find this stuff new, but maybe some
demolition company will have some boards. The problem is that I dont
know what this stuff is called, so it's hard to call places and ask
them if they have it, when I dont have a name for it.

Anyone know what this is called?


If it's about 1/8" thick, grey, and brittle, it may very well be asbestos.
It was quite popular in the early '50's.


I know what that stuff is, but that stuff only came in short sections.
I had to work with it a few times and needed to be drilled to pound in
nails or it would shatter.

This stuff is more like 1/2" thick, and comes in long sheets. I dont
know the original length, but the longest side of the cabin is 16 feet
and some strips are the full length. It's not brittle like asbestos,
and can be easily nailed. Its like masonite, the surface is smooth.

I removed one of the bad pieces yesterday. There is no name on the back
or anything other than numbers. Those appear to be a date, and the year
is 1969.


Can you take a picture or pictures and link to it here?

Help identify a type of siding
 

On Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:19:21 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:

wrote:
I have a cabin that was built in the 1940's and re-sided in the 60's
or 70's. The siding has an approx 8 inch coverage per sheet. It's a
horizontal siding where each strip overlaps the one below it. Looks
similar to the natural redwood siding used on many homes in the 50's.

The material appears similar to masonite. It's a type of hard
compacted particles. The surface has been painted, I dont know if it
came pre-finished or not.

This siding is mostly still in good condition, except the bottom
board, which has weathered and has disintergrated on one side, plus
there's a hole in one board from a fallen tree.

I'm looking to see if I can purchase a few replacement boards to
repair the bad boards, and then repaint the whole cabin. For cost
reasons, I dont want to reside the whole thing, not to mention that I
find today's plastic siding repulsive, and there dont seem to be much
else available other than metal ribbed steel, which would make it
look like a barn. I doubt I'll find this stuff new, but maybe some
demolition company will have some boards. The problem is that I dont
know what this stuff is called, so it's hard to call places and ask
them if they have it, when I dont have a name for it.

Anyone know what this is called?


If it's about 1/8" thick, grey, and brittle, it may very well be asbestos.
It was quite popular in the early '50's.

You most likely DO have Masonite siding. There were a few other
manufacturers of pre-finished, textured,tempered hardboard siding in
the sixties. If they are "boards" - not 3 foot long or less "tiles"
they are almost certainly NOT asbestos (Johns Manville)