Replacing Failing Engineered Wood Siding in Gladstone
Older engineered wood siding can become especially problematic after years of moisture exposure.
Common warning signs include swelling along bottom edges, soft areas, peeling coatings, cracking, deteriorating joints, and visible rot.
The larger concern is what may be happening behind the siding.
Once deteriorated siding is removed, we sometimes discover damaged sheathing or framing caused by years of moisture intrusion. Window and door openings are particularly important areas to inspect because improper flashing can allow water to enter the wall assembly without producing an obvious exterior leak.
Our siding replacement process allows us to expose these areas and address discovered problems before covering the walls with new siding.
Hidden Rot Behind Siding
One of the most important benefits of a complete siding replacement is the opportunity to inspect the structure after the existing exterior has been removed.
Water damage isn’t always visible beforehand.
We may find deterioration around:
- Window openings
- Exterior doors
- Deck connections
- Roof-to-wall areas
- Exterior penetrations
- Siding-to-trim transitions
- Bottom edges of walls
- Areas with missing flashing
- Previously repaired sections
When rot is discovered as part of a larger siding replacement project, Elite Home Exteriors NW can address damaged areas as part of rebuilding the exterior correctly.
Our focus is on complete siding and building-envelope projects, rather than small isolated repairs such as replacing one piece of rotted trim.
Waterproofing Matters as Much as the Siding
Beautiful siding won’t correct an improperly protected wall underneath it.
That is why we put significant emphasis on the weather-resistant barrier and flashing system behind the siding.
Depending on project specifications, our exterior systems can incorporate products such as:
- Benjamin Obdyke HydroGap® Drainable Housewrap
- HydroFlash® self-adhered flashing membrane
- Drainable weather-resistant barriers
- Window and door flashing membranes
- Z-metal flashing
- Joint flashing
- Kick-out and transition flashing where required
- Properly integrated exterior penetrations
- OSI QUAD MAX® sealant
- Hot-dipped galvanized fasteners
Learn more about the waterproofing, WRB and flashing systems we use behind siding.
The goal is to create multiple layers of protection so incidental moisture has a path to drain rather than becoming trapped inside the wall assembly.
More Than a Siding Installation
Our goal is not to cover existing problems with new siding.
We want to understand why the old exterior failed.
If we discover evidence that water entered around a window because of inadequate flashing, simply installing new siding doesn’t solve the underlying issue.
If deteriorated sheathing is discovered, covering it isn’t the answer.
If important flashing is missing, the new siding system should address those details.
That building-envelope approach is one of the biggest differences between a basic siding installation and a professionally planned siding replacement.
