How long will paint or stain last on a vented siding assembly?
I’m wondering if anyone out there can give me some more direction on how many years I can expect to go before needing to repaint the siding on our new house (when there’s a vented siding assembly involved?)
Our plan is to install clapboard siding over 3/4″ strapping. We are trying to decide between fiber cement clapboard siding and cedar clapboards. Painting is high on our list of least-favorite-ways-to-spend our summer, but I much prefer the look of real wood to fiber cement.
I’ve found lots of comments and articles about both approaches, but have not been able to find something like ‘you’ll need to repaint in 10 years, instead of 5″. The fiber cement companies will warranty their pre-finished materials for around 15 years, but don’t make promises for field-applied finishes.
Anybody have direct experience here? Assume a light color and moderate sun.
Thanks in advance!
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Replies
Heidi,
The answer is, "It depends." The range is probably 8 to 20 years, assuming there is a vented rainscreen gap between the siding and the sheathing.
I think Paul Eldrenkamp has some jobs with 20-year-old painted siding, installed over a rainscreen, that have not yet been repainted. That's unusual. Good roof overhangs help a paint job last longer; living near the seacoast will shorten the life of the paint.
It will go a long time if you prime all sides and cut ends. I would say up to 15 years before repainting is needed.
I've seen field-applied paint on fiber cement reliably still looking very good after fifteen years on our projects. With wood siding we've experienced a lot more variability, depending on the wood, the paint or stain used and on certain local environmental factors. I'm not fond of low-solids stains in particular. And wood siding seems much more prone to mold growth in our humid summers.
If you like the look of cedar, why not go with......cedar. VG red cedar clapboards stainless nails and nothing.
Or a semi transparent stain that will blend into natural weathering. Reapply every 20 years, or not.
Heidi,
I have had good luck from using light colored, solid color stains (about fifteen years at recoat). The best part was the stain didn't peel, just faded, so prep time was minimal. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence, your results may vary.
Pre painted Certainteed fiber cement properly installed may last the longest. If painting, get a pro that can show you his ten year old work.
Joe L said the paint on his office was 16 years old and in good condition when they deconstructed.