Building Pro Matt Risinger details siding materials and the #1 install mistake
Building pro Matt Risinger details the biggest new construction siding install mistake and the various material choices for your build or renovation.
This Build Show episode from expert building professional Matt Risinger is all about siding – specifically, the biggest new construction installation mistake and the various material choices for your build or renovation.
In the video, Risinger jumps right in to identify the installation problem and offers easy solutions for a better finished project.
“The biggest mistake in siding is framing your house, sheathing it, putting your weather barrier on, and then immediately going to siding before the trades have had a chance to come in,” Risinger says.
In the video, you’ll find:
- Specific examples of why this mistake drives Risinger crazy
- How it can lead to immediate issues with your build
- What you can do to make sure it doesn’t happen on your jobsite
Jump to this portion of the video by tapping 'play' below or scrubbing to 35 seconds (0:35):
When it comes time to finish the exterior, you’ll have to make some choices about what material is best for you and your client in terms of climate, durability, and maintenance.
Risinger talks through the pros and cons of three major categories of siding: vinyl, engineered wood, and fiber cement (specifically James Hardie® fiber cement siding).
Jump to this portion of the video by tapping 'play' below or scrubbing to 3 minutes and 45 seconds (3:45):
Risinger is trusting James Hardie products to protect the exterior of his own home, which is currently in the process of an extensive rebuild. In addition to the benefits around fire and pests, Risinger also points out that fiber cement resists water absorption that helps protect against swelling and cracking. That resistance enables another installation benefit.
“One of the big benefits is that we don’t have to have that big gap at our butt joints,” Risinger says. “I can slip a slip sheet behind this, basically a flashing which is going to divert water out, and I don’t have to caulk my butt joints.”
To use James Hardie products for your next project:
- Use this locator tool to find a dealer or distributor near you.
- Once you have your materials, you can find everything you need to successfully install the products on our installation, technical documents and best practice guides page.
- You can also find comprehensive siding contractor safety resources and best safety practices for working with our products.
