Field Guide: Keys to Long Lasting Wood Siding

At Old Home Rescue, we do wood siding differently. We do this by incorporating today’s products, research and technology but in a way that maintains the character of an old home. This can most easily be demonstrated by taking James Hardie siding rules and applying them to a few quirks of old homes.

James Hardie is a phenomenal product, but sometimes it does meet the requirement of the neighborhood or the goal of the homeowner; however, what they do have is an industry leading team putting together specs for best practices. Because of this we have incorporated their specs as our basic best practices in the installation of wood siding, and we communicate how and why changes need to be made to meet the specs of our wood siding and trim projects.

James Hardie Best Practices

Here are some of the things we require to be done differently;

  • All wood products are pre-primed on all sides

Rules for How Siding Coincides with Windows - Old House Web

Rules for How Siding Coincides with Windows - Old House Web

  • Butt Joints in Siding

    • Installed with moderate contact

    • No caulking used

    • Flashed with metal, 30# felt paper or other approved flashing

    • Best Practice: Miter butt joints so that when the wood shrinks, flashing does not show

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  • Siding to Trim Joint

    • 1/8” gap left for expansion

    • Sealed with OSI Quad Max or equivalent following manufacturer’s instructions

  • Nailing

    • Stainless nails are to be used

    • Beveled Siding

      • Siding nails just above lower siding course

    • Novelty Siding

      • Novelty siding often acts as the sheathing as well

      • Two siding nails should be driven into the face of the siding

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  • Flashing: Windows, Doors, Watertables, & Other Penetrations

    • Most often the choice is to match existing; however, it will be decided in advance to use one of the following options

      • Wood drip cap

      • Modern flashing methods using James Hardie Best Practices

  • Siding & Trim Clearances

    • Applying James Hardie specs to wood will protect the wood from rot and allow it to shed water appropriately.

    • Roof to Wall

      • Preferred 2”. Minimum 1”

      • This is most commonly an issues at the Roof to Wall where layers of roofing have been added over time to raise the level of the roof to touch the siding.

  • Siding Corners

  • Most often the choice is to match existing; however, it will be decided in advance to use one of the following options;

    • Corner Caps

    • Siding terminating into Corner Boards (caulked)

    • Corner Boards on top of siding (not caulked)

    • Mitered corners

Siding Details: A, Miter corner; B, metal corners; C, corner boards. - Old House Web

Siding Details: A, Miter corner; B, metal corners; C, corner boards. - Old House Web