WOOD GREEN TO THE CORE
Wood siding is an excellent green choice (not to mention beautiful). Although people think of wood as a valuable natural resource we shouldn’t use, it is a renewable product that can be recycled, and if it goes into the waste stream, biodegrades quickly. If you use wood siding, look for certification by either the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Wood products don’t require a lot of energy to produce, versus say brick or fiber cement siding. In fact, although wood makes up nearly half of all raw materials manufactured in the United States, its share of energy consumption is a small 4%.
In addition to new wood siding, you can buy reclaimed wood, though more people opt for pre-primed pine or weather-resistant cedar.
VIRTUES
> Renewable
> Recyclable
> Little energy used in its “production”
> Biodegrades quickly in a landfill
CAVEATS
> Not perfectly straight, which can cause install problems
> Attracts pests like carpenter ants and termites
> Doesn’t offer insulative benefits (R-1)
> Requires maintenance, and can shrink and expand
> Can be twice as expensive as engineered wood or fiber cement
ENGINEERED WOOD MUCH IMPROVED
For people who like the look of wood, engineered wood products are a good green option. They are made from wood strands that are coated with a resin binder and compressed to create a strong board. The products look like wood. They are free of knots, resist warping and cupping, and are factory preprimed to take paint well, which reduces field and labor time once installed.
LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, as one example, offers a special manufacturing process that helps protect against termite damage and fungal decay. The product also comes with a self-aligning edge design to make installation faster and easier. Another engineered product, KlipTech’s EcoClad is made from bamboo fibers, recycled paper and recycled wood fiber. According to its manufacturer, it is as durable as metal, brick, and stucco and resists bacteria and fungus growth. Look for engineered wood products that are certified.
VIRTUES
> Lighter weight than fiber cement or brick
> No special cutting tools or fasteners are required takes nails and screws
> Factory pre-primed
> Less costly than real wood
CAVEATS
> Moisture problems can result from installation errors
GLOSSARY OF TERMS KNOW THE LINGO
> Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS)
A building product that provides exterior walls with an insulated finished surface and waterproofing in an integrated composite material system.
> Embodied Energy
The energy consumed by all of the processes associated with the production of a building, from the acquisition of natural resources to product delivery.
> Engineered Wood
Cladding made from wood strands that are coated with a resin binder and compressed to create a strong board.
> Fiber Cement Siding
Cladding made from a mixture of Portland cement, cellulose or wood fiber material, sand and other components.
> Lap Siding
Siding that looks like individual boards, typically 8’–12’ long. Each piece of siding is lapped over the piece below it to provide a waterproof covering for the house.
> Portland Cement
Found in stucco and fiber cement siding, it requires intense heat (and thus energy) to produce.
FIBER CEMENT TOUGH STUFF
Fiber-cement siding is a low-maintenance product made from sand, Portland cement, clay, and wood pulp fibers. It’s very strong, long-lasting, termite-proof, fire-resistant and rot-proof. The product has the look of wood siding and comes in either a smooth or wood-look finish.
The rub against fiber-cement is its high embodied energy, though manufacturers are moving toward using more recycled content in their products. At least one brand contains fly ash.
For extra R-value, fiber cement siding can be installed over foam insulation board, as on an ICF house, but caution must be taken to ensure proper installation. If you decide to go this route, follow manufacturers recommendations closely.
VIRTUES
> Product is straighter than wood siding
> Superior stability keeps the building envelope crack-free
> Lower cost than wood
> Low-maintenance product; may hold stain or paint for for several years longer than wood (7–15 years)
> Won’t rot, buckle or warp
CAVEATS
> Heavier than most sidings and can crack
> Negligible R-value
> High embodied energy because of manufacturing process
> Moisture problems can result from installation errors
> Requires special safety training, special gear to protect against airborne silica and specific cutting tools.
11.2011
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