Hardboard Masonite Siding: In the siding market, Masonite Siding is one of the popular choices for home exteriors to give a real wood-like look.
It is a synthetic siding product, made up of various mixtures of wood fibre, resin and glues.
Hardboard siding is also popularly known as Pressboard or Hardboard Masonite siding. This siding gem became popular in the 1980s for its best value and worth.
The Hardboard Masonite Siding has its pros and cons too. Siding is an important aspect for every homeowner which not only looks good but protects the house too.
However, nowadays in modern architecture, Hardboard siding may not be a popular choice. The reason might be some popular alternatives.
In this article, we will drop all the essential details of Masonite Siding that you should know.
Stick to this article to learn more about Hardboard Masonite Siding from its pros and cons to its best features.
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Quick Review of Hardboard Masonite Siding
| Topic | Overview |
|---|---|
| Hardboard Masonite Siding | Synthetic siding product made of wood fibers, resin, and glues. Also known as Pressboard or Hardboard Masonite siding. Popular choice for home exteriors for its real wood-like look. Originated in the 1980s, known for its affordability and ease of installation. Masonite was a popular brand, hence the name association persists. |
| Durability | Can last up to 50 years with proper maintenance. Durability depends on factors like manufacturer quality and homeowner upkeep. Annual maintenance and monitoring of water exposure essential for longevity. Failure to maintain may result in decay in less than 20 years. |
| Maintenance | Requires regular inspection for cracks, holes, and missing caulk. Water infiltration is a significant threat; water sources should be redirected away from siding. Sloping the ground away from siding to prevent rot and mold. Installation recommended 6 inches away from the ground. Painting every 5 to 10 years maintains appearance. |
| Cost | Among the least expensive siding options in the market. Cheaper than fiber cement, brick, or other wood sidings. Installation costs: Regular Masonite: $0.60/sq ft Textured Masonite: $0.75/sq ft Painted Masonite: $0.80/sq ft |
| Manufacturing | Made of wood fibers, wood chips, or flakes pressed together with resin and glue. Heat and pressure used to bind materials. Also known as pressboard, synthetic wood, or cardboard siding due to the manufacturing process. Often painted and textured to resemble real wood. Made of wood chips pressed into board form, usually in a horizontal lap design. |
| Uses | Widely used in construction, furniture making, flooring, and cabinetry. Also used in home appliances and DIY projects. Popular among painters as a painting surface. Commonly used in making skateboards, puzzles, and game boards. Used as exterior siding for homes to protect from exposure and heat loss. Harder and more flexible than traditional wood siding. |
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What is Hardboard Masonite Siding?
Hardboard Masonite Siding is a synthetic engineered wood made up of wood fibres, resin and glue.
The materials are compressed tightly together in heat and pressure. Hardboard Siding is similar to fiberboard wood.
Its production began in the 20s and became popular in the ’80s and ’90s due to the cheap prices, easy installation and versatility.
It was created to give a glimpse of the real wood by thoroughly cutting, painting and shaping.
All the while, Masonite was the popular brand that sold Hardboard Siding. This is the reason why Hardboard Siding is known as Hardboard Masonite Siding.
However, the company ceased to exist. Still, in present days, Hardboard and Masonite are inseparable as it is still known as Hardboard Masonite siding.
How Long Does Hardboard Masonite Siding Last?
How long Hardboard Masonite Siding will last depends on some major factors. But primarily hardboard siding can last up to 50 years with proper maintenance.
It depends on the difference in the tempering process, while some may last long and some may rot. However, the durability depends upon different manufacturers.
Another aspect of hardboard siding’s durability might be the homeowner’s maintenance.
Hardboard siding should be maintained or repaired annually for its long-lasting effect. If it is not maintained properly it may not last long.
If water exposure is not monitored and caulking is not done or if not repaired accordingly it may decay in less than 20 years.
What Maintenance Does Hardboard Masonite Siding Need?
Homeowners of Hardboard Masonite Siding need a big maintenance skill to take care of the particular siding.
They need to inspect the siding frequently a couple of times a year. Water infiltration is one of the biggest threats that they need to remember.
Homeowners need to inspect cracks, sealing, holes, cracked or missing caulk, and other signs of damage that could lead to moisture infiltration.
Be careful about the water infiltrating into the siding, and repair the damage as early as possible.
Homeowners need to set the water sources such as sprinklers and downspouts away from the hardboard siding to make it long-lasting.
Similarly, drainage pipes and gutters should be directed away from the home. Make sure the drainage pipes are free of clogging.
Another maintenance rule is to slope the ground away from the hardboard siding. Otherwise, it would lead to rot, mould and mildew.
It is often recommended to install hardboard siding 6 inches away from the ground, grass and plants. Colouring the hardboard siding every 5 to 10 years will maintain the appearance as well.
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Is Hardboard Masonite Siding Expensive?
Hardboard siding is known for its affordability, durability and versatile use. It is one of the least expensive siding options at the moment in the market.
Masonite siding is cheaper than fibre cement, brick or any other siding wood.
Hardboard Masonite Siding is cost-effective, customizable and can resist harsh weather, making it one of the popular siding choices.
Installing Regular Masonite siding costs around $0.60 per square foot
Installing Textured Masonite siding costs around $0.75 per square foot
Installing Painted Masonite siding costs around $0.80 per square foot
How is Hardboard Masonite Siding made?
Hardboard is a wood exterior made up of wood fibres, wood chips or wood flakes, pressed together with resin and glue.
The manufacturers use the materials to bind together using heat and pressure to make the new material, hardboard siding.
Due to its making process, Hardboard Masonite is also known as pressboard, synthetic wood, Masonite siding or sometimes cardboard siding.
Masonite siding is generally painted and textured to give a real wood-like look.
Masonite siding is made up of wood chips pressed into board form. It is often given a horizontal lap design.
What is Hardboard Used for?
Hardboard is an engineered wood product used in the construction industry and often in making furniture.
In hardboards, manufacturers often glue a wood veneer to give an appearance of wood. This is used in construction, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, often home appliances and many more.
There are some other overlays used in hardboards such as Formica, laminated papers, vinyl etc.
Hardboard is also used in making DIY as a painting surface. It is popular among acrylic and oil painters.
Hardboard is also often used in making skateboards, puzzles and game boards.
Siding is used as an exterior of a house to protect it from exposure to the materials and prevent heat loss.
Hardboard siding is harder than any wood siding, making it more durable. It is even more flexible than other wood siding.
For such reasons along with its affordability and easy-to-install, hardboard masonite siding is one of the popular choices in home construction for siding.
Key point of Hardboard Masonite Siding Use
Key points about hardboard:
- Construction Material: Hardboard is an engineered wood product commonly used in construction and furniture making.
- Wood Veneer: Manufacturers often glue a wood veneer onto hardboard to give it the appearance of wood.
- Versatile Applications: Hardboard finds applications in construction, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, home appliances, and more.
- Overlay Options: Other overlays like Formica, laminated papers, and vinyl are also used in hardboard manufacturing.
- DIY Projects: Hardboard is popular for DIY projects as a painting surface, especially for acrylic and oil painters.
- Specialized Uses: Apart from construction and furniture, hardboard is used in making skateboards, puzzles, and game boards.
- Siding Material: Hardboard siding is a common choice for exterior siding in home construction.
- Durability and Flexibility: Hardboard siding is harder and more durable than wood siding, yet it remains flexible, making it easy to install and resistant to damage.
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