Exterior Maintenance


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SBS Gift Cards make shopping for that handyman easy!	Exterior Siding Maintenance Already have exterior siding on your home, but not sure how to keep it looking new? Want to know what maintenance is involved, before you choose an exterior siding product? Here's an overview of what's involved with taking care of various siding products: Wood Shakes and Shingles Common problems with shake or shingle siding is that moisture can get behind the shingles, especially those installed close to the ground. This product also has a tendency to fade over time. Shakes and shingles can be painted or stained to help preserve them. Painting commonly is required every 5-7 years and staining may have to be done every 3 years. Wood Planking Wood planking has to be painted. The climate where you live in Alaska, what type of product was used for the initial painting job and how well it was applied will determine how long you can wait between paintings. Composition Board This product requires maintenance, especially in wet climates. It needs to be repainted more often than other wood sidings because it doesn't hold paint as well. If left exposed too long, the board will absorb moisture, expand and bow out. Make sure sprinklers and leaky downspouts don't wet the hardboard. You should always maintain 6-8 inches of clearance between the ground and the lowest board. Inspect the joints, the nails and the ends of planks. Caulk around cracked joints. Make sure nails haven't broken the surface finish or water will seep in. Vinyl Of all the exterior siding choices, vinyl is probably the easiest to maintain. From time to time vinyl will have to be washed to eliminate dirt, dust, grass stains, mold or mildew. For heavier stains, vinyl siding can be cleaned with a soft cloth, or soft bristled toothbrush (if the surface is textured). Some of the more common cleaners that can be used on vinyl include: Fantastic®, Murphy's Oil Soap®, Lestoil®, Windex® and Soft Scrub®. Be careful to keep grills and combustible materials, such as mulch and dry leaves, away from the siding since heat has a devastating affect on vinyl surfaces. Steel Steel siding is easily maintained. Maintenance inspections should be annually with attention paid to any loose fasteners or joints that may need new sealant. If needed, wash panel surface with a mild detergent, water and soft cloth. Severe scratches, dents and holes will require panel replacement. Re-painting panels should not be required for the life of the building. If a new color for panels or trim is required, please inquire with SBS for more information. Plywood Siding The main thing to look for in maintaining plywood siding is the expanding and contracting of the wood which can cause nails to pull out, joints to pull apart and siding to fall off. Keep the surface finishes fresh or plywood siding will deteriorate, absorb moisture and warp.

Products

Newsletters
Project Partners
Contractor Quarterly

SBS Headlines
SBS Purchases Polar Supply Company

SBS Purchases Arctic Builders Source

SBS Gift Cards make shopping for that handyman easy!

Exterior Siding Maintenance

Already have exterior siding on your home, but not sure how to keep it looking new? Want to know what maintenance is involved, before you choose an exterior siding product?
Here's an overview of what's involved with taking care of various siding products:

Wood Shakes and Shingles
     Common problems with shake or shingle siding is that moisture can get behind the shingles, especially those installed close to the ground. This product also has a tendency to fade over time. Shakes and shingles can be painted or stained to help preserve them. Painting commonly is required every 5-7 years and staining may have to be done every 3 years.

Wood Planking
      Wood planking has to be painted. The climate where you live in Alaska, what type of product was used for the initial painting job and how well it was applied will determine how long you can wait between paintings.

Composition Board
      This product requires maintenance, especially in wet climates. It needs to be repainted more often than other wood sidings because it doesn't hold paint as well. If left exposed too long, the board will absorb moisture, expand and bow out. Make sure sprinklers and leaky downspouts don't wet the hardboard. You should always maintain 6-8 inches of clearance between the ground and the lowest board. Inspect the joints, the nails and the ends of planks. Caulk around cracked joints. Make sure nails haven't broken the surface finish or water will seep in.

Vinyl
      Of all the exterior siding choices, vinyl is probably the easiest to maintain. From time to time vinyl will have to be washed to eliminate dirt, dust, grass stains, mold or mildew. For heavier stains, vinyl siding can be cleaned with a soft cloth, or soft bristled toothbrush (if the surface is textured). Some of the more common cleaners that can be used on vinyl include: Fantastic®, Murphy's Oil Soap®, Lestoil®, Windex® and Soft Scrub®. Be careful to keep grills and combustible materials, such as mulch and dry leaves, away from the siding since heat has a devastating affect on vinyl surfaces.

Steel
     Steel siding is easily maintained. Maintenance inspections should be annually with attention paid to any loose fasteners or joints that may need new sealant. If needed, wash panel surface with a mild detergent, water and soft cloth. Severe scratches, dents and holes will require panel replacement. Re-painting panels should not be required for the life of the building. If a new color for panels or trim is required, please inquire with SBS for more information.

Plywood Siding
      The main thing to look for in maintaining plywood siding is the expanding and contracting of the wood which can cause nails to pull out, joints to pull apart and siding to fall off. Keep the surface finishes fresh or plywood siding will deteriorate, absorb moisture and warp.