Coastal location: Siding options?
Hello
I’m specify the products for a small 1 bedroom cottage located directly on an exposed position on the ocean. The site is the SW corner of the United Kingdom, probably something like 4C.
Specifically I’m interest in siding recommendations. We’re are looking at fibre cement as an option due to durability, however I’m unclear what the paint re-coat times might be for such a product and if the salt wash will impact it at all. I’m also concerned with the cement content as cement is the largest contributor in the construction industry to global warming.
The alternative would be Cedar or Larch or possibly a product called Thermowood, a heat-treated softwood apparently resulting in a very durable and stable material. We are contemplating the ‘trendy’ Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood technique if we went the wood siding route.
The cladding will be rain screened with 1″ furring over an exterior rigid foam insulated 2×6 timber frame.
Kind regards
Quinn
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Replies
Quinn,
Most readers of Green Building Advisor live in the U.S. or Canada. Our siding options are different from what's available in the U.K., so I think you should seek local advice.
In my geographical area (the New England states), we would use unpainted white cedar shingles for a house like the one you are describing. But you want something that is (a) locally available, and (b) compatible with the architectural traditions of the town where the building is located -- so you don't really care about the opinions of people who live in Massachusetts or Maine.
This is typical...white cedar shingles, 16" long, installed with about 4-1/2" exposure. No finish.
Thanks Martin and Hugh,
The products I've mentioned are locally available and in keeping with the architectural requirements of the building, the latter being specified by the local government as wood/wood composite cladding in a dark (probably black) colour. Fibre Cement (Hardie board) is far more common the the US and Canada (where I've built before) thus I thought the community would have some advice for me.
Thanks
Quinn,
Shou Shugi Ban only maintains its black colour if it is coated (and regularly re-coated) with a modern clear finish. Otherwise portions turn orange, and the protective char disappears. I wouldn't use it in a marine environment.
See the comments below this blog and there links Eric posted: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/urban-rustic-choosing-installing-ductless-minisplit
Malcolm
Thanks very much for pointing this out, hadn't seen some of these posts.
Kind regards
Quinn
Did you ever end up using the Thermowood and if so, how was the install and how has it held up?