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The Effect of Climate & James Hardie Siding

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With the climate changing and extreme weather becoming harsher, it is good to know James Hardie has a handle on these things. They examined the relationship between their fiber cement products and the eight climate factors affecting them.

Then they discovered common variables that allowed them to group the effect of climate in ten categories, and create two product varieties. This is why installers use their HZ10 products in the southern United States, to protect them from blistering sun, and hot humid conditions

Whereas we use the HZ5 variety in Vancouver because it resists shrinking, swelling, and cracking better, even after years of wet or freezing conditions. However, that’s just the beginning of a superior siding job. It also needs to go on properly.

The Effect of Climate and Wet Weather Continued

Next time someone tempts you with a cheaper siding job in wet season, choose your contractor carefully. Although James Hardie fibre cement products are weather resistant, they can not be left saturated in the rain for prolonged periods of time. For if they do not:

1… They become heavy when saturated, and more difficult to handle and fit properly.

2… They shrink when they dry, opening up joints between planks needing repair or replacement.

James Hardie recommends countering the effect of climate and wet weather, by covering unopened boxes with a waterproof tarp, and store the material on a pallet for ventilation.  For if they become wet they are no use until they have dried out completely. We have standard procedures in place to protect raw materials from weathering.

Fibre Cement Is an Effective Barrier When Correctly Installed

Fibre cement is cement composite with cellulose fibre reinforcement, formed in boards, and cut to sizes and lengths. As a result, it resists termites, impact and rot, and has good fire-resistant properties too.

Fibre cement siding is also moisture resistant when overlapped correctly, and sealed at all open joints. Moreover, it should require very little maintenance assuming professional installation.

More Advantages of Owning a Home with James Hardie Siding

Fibre cement siding has huge advantages compared to wood siding, where the effect of climate can cause timber to warp, crack, split and admit moisture and insects. Hardie Board resists swelling, splitting, warping, cracking and rotting, and cement does not burn.

James Hardie backs it products with a thirty-year warranty that speaks for itself. SilverLine Exterior Solutions are approved Hardie Board installers. Our reputation is your guarantee of superb siding job. Contact 604-942-0488 for a free appraisal and quote, before you upgrade your home.

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Which Siding Performs Best in Harsh Weather

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which siding performs best in harsh weather

Which Siding Performs Best in Harsh Weather

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It can be unnerving trying to watch television while a storm roars around the house at night. We listen to the wind tugging at trees, and rattling anything lying loose outside. This puts fresh light on the question which siding performs best in harsh weather.

We have to believe the installer put the siding on right, and tightened up all the screws and clips. Because there is nothing we can do except wait until daylight, when we can check for damage.

Global Warming Will Continue Complicating Our Lives

Climate change features low down on Google nowadays, because the COVID-19 pandemic pushed it aside. However, the benefits from fewer carbon emissions during lock down will all be gone within a year.

Our city is fortunate to have Vancouver Island shield us from the worst Pacific storms. But we can still be confident of more frequent extreme climatic events. Therefore it’s become even more important to understand which siding performs best in harsh weather.

which siding performs best in harsh weather

Which Siding Performs Best in Harsh Weather: Vinyl or Hardie?

Both types of siding are robust, and that’s why we fit them with confidence. However, they are only as good as the installer whose job is to attach them correctly. We get calls after severe storms from homeowners who had strips of siding blown away.

This should not happen if the job is done properly in the first place to SilverLine Exterior’s standards. We have done repair jobs in the past where the insurer refused to pay out, because a cowboy siding specialist from out of town did not know what they were doing.

Which Siding Performs Best in Gale Force Winds?

If you were to go down south to America’s hurricane and tornado belts, you’ll find most siding is fiber-cement. That’s not just because vinyl can rip and tear in extreme winds. It’s because fallen power lines have a habit of starting wild fires, and vinyl can ignite.

Should Living in a Cold Climate Influence My Decision

We recommend you use a decent quality siding with thickness sufficient to withstand Vancouver weather extremes. A quality vinyl job should be able to resist buckling, warping and cracking, but we can’t say the same for some DIY thin ones.

Fibre-cement siding comes out tops in withstanding a wide range of winter and summer temperatures. However, do bear in mind its insulation properties are not quite as good as vinyl.

Knowing which siding performs best in harsh weather may lead you to wonder what shape your own siding is in. We do installations, replacements and repairs of vinyl and hardie fiber-cement siding throughout Vancouver. We’ll do a free inspection and quote, if you’d like to call 604-942-0488 or email us now.

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manufacturer warranties

Non-Prorated, Prorated and Limited Manufacturer Warranties

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We stand by the work we do with confidence because we take every care. We hope you choose us for your new windows, doors and sidings. Our business model includes carefully choosing the materials we use, and in terms of manufacturer warranties.

The caliber of manufacturer warranties on offer really matters because they limit consumer rights. We discuss this oft brushed-over topic in this post, because we believe you as customer have the right to know.

Manufacturer Warranties under Canadian Law

The Innovation, Science and Economic Development Department defines a manufacturer’s warranty as follows:

A manufacturer’s warranty is a written guarantee to the buyer of a product. Its terms assure the replacement or repair of the product, if necessary, within a specified period after the purchase. It is typically included in the price of the product.

When we accept a contract as consumers, we agree to the manufacturer’s warranty terms they offer. However, these terms may vary between companies and products.

Three Types of Warranties We May Encounter

1… Non-prorated warranties offer the same level of support throughout the warranty period

2… Pro-rated warranty values diminish during the guarantee period, because the product naturally wears out

3… Limited warranties restrict the value of warranties or the potential beneficiaries under their terms

It’s therefore essential to factor in these conditions when comparing alternatives. Because after you sign you are ‘locked in’.

A Case in Point: The James Hardie Panel Warranty

James Hardie fiber cement boards are one of the most popular siding products among Canadians. That’s because they have been in business for decades and supply quality products. Here’s how their warranty stacks up in terms of the above criteria.

‘Non-Prorated Manufacturer Warranty’

If, during the limited warranty period, the product is defective in material or workmanship, Hardie will, in its sole discretion, either repair or replace the defective portion of the product …

… Or, during the first through the thirtieth year, reimburse the covered person for up to twice the original retail cost of the defective portion of the product.

‘Limited Manufacturer Warranty’

The warranty covers the owner and one subsequent owner for damage caused by hail or termite attacks, and defects in material and workmanship.

There are several other limitations too numerous to go into detail here. However, we provide a link to the warranty document at the end of this post.

Your Choice of James Hardie Siding Installer Matters

The manufacturer warranty does not cover what happens to the siding after it leaves the factory, except for hail and termite attacks. Moreover, exclusions include damage in transport, and improper installation.

SilverLine Exterior Solutions has full insurance and enjoys an enviable reputation for fine work. We’d love to install your James Hardie siding for you, and illustrate the difference hiring a true professional makes.

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hardie plank

Hardie Board Colour Schemes – The Fundamentals

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There are so many different colours on the Hardie palette it’s hard to know where to start. The colour will be there for a long time unless you decide to over paint it. Therefore it’s best not to make an overstatement. It’s also a good idea to decide the basic colour scheme in your mind first. Then when you scan through Hardie Board colour schemes on the internet you can refine your theme.

Six Important Fundamentals for Hardie Board Colour Schemes

1… If you decide on a combination of a strong colour and a soft tint, use the strong one on outside corners and around windows and doors. This will considerably reduce the cost of changing it and you can achieve that so much faster too.

2… Respect the architectural language of your home. A Victorian oldie has details that are fun to pick out. Whereas a ranch style modern could look better in one or two colours. Stay with light tints if the building is small so it looks more expansive.

3… Think of the neighbourhood. If there is a common theme to the development by all means be subtly different. But avoid clashing with next door. You want to blend in because someday you may decide to sell and buyers like harmony.

4… You can’t change the colour of your roof easily. The same applies to the paving. You may already have the colour fundamentals in place. The best Hardie Board colour schemes respect what is already there, and create a cohesive impression.

5… Use the language of colours to your advantage. Tints on the blue / green side of the colour wheel are restful, whereas yellows and reds are livelier. Choose tones in harmony with your personality. When all is said and done your home mirrors you.

6… Brighten up a simple Hardie Board colour scheme with touches that sparkle. Changing the gutter colour can create a new accent line. However a smart new front door could achieve wonders at less cost. Speak to us about a special deal.

Ask Us for Advice, Our Proposals are Free

We have been installing new windows, doors and siding for years. We have developed a sixth sense for Hardie Board colour schemes that work. Call us on 604-942-0488 or send an email message to arrange a meeting. We’ll explain the measures we take to protect our customers as the Covid virus continues to spread.

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choose a decent siding contractor

Choose a Decent Siding Contractor Here’s How

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There are loads of siding contractors in Greater Vancouver to choose from. That’s because it’s a deceptively simple business that actually needs advanced skills. We quite often patch up botched jobs by rogue contractors. The unfortunate homeowners end up paying more than they would have if they used a professional provider. Here’s how we would choose a decent siding contractor if we were in your shoes.

How to Choose a Decent Siding Contractor in Greater Vancouver

1… Ask your friends on social media for recommendations. Visit these contractors’ social media pages. Google their names with words like ‘review’, ‘feedback’ and ‘complaint’ after their names. You could also consult your friends and neighbours but then you only reach out to a few people.

2… Ask your shortlist to show you, not tell you about their licenses and insurances. You can confirm the former with the agency. You can check their insurance terms when you know the product. The most important aspect is the schedule detailing the value of the insurance and any exceptions.

3… Check them out next in terms of what their customers think. Some cowboy installers fudge the reviews on their websites. Confirm what their customers think at Better Business Bureau and your local consumer affairs office. They will help when the realise you want to choose a decent siding contractor.

4… Ask to see examples of each contractor’s recent siding jobs. Don’t just believe their photos. Visit their actual sites after business hours when their clients are home. Judge the contractor by the way their clients greet you. Are they enthusiastic, or are they holding back?

5… Interview three contractors that made it through those stages so you can compare their estimates. However, do remember the lowest price does not guarantee the best job. They may be cutting corners somewhere.

6… List your detailed requirements and expectations on a document, with a sketch plan if you feel this adds value. Meet with each contractor individually and be consistent in what you say to each.

7… Double check the estimates. Do they include everything you want and do the numbers add up? If everything checks out, go ahead and choose a decent siding contractor you prefer from your shortlist.

A Quality Siding Contractor in Port Coquitlam Greater Vancouver

Silverline Exterior Solutions are expert siding installers serving Greater Vancouver. We have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, and an enviable reputation. Call us on 604-942-0488 or write an email to office@silverlineexteriors.com. Then put us to the test.

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What’s Best: Cedar or Fiber Siding?

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installing siding in calgary

What’s Best: Cedar or Fiber Siding?

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There’s a certain charm about natural wood no artificial material could ever replace. However, even the hardest wood starts deteriorating the moment a tree or branch dies. Choosing cedar or fibre siding is an important choice. Trees are also friends, because earth’s bounty is here for us to enjoy.

Today we ask which is better: fibre cement or wooden siding and we discover there are pros and cons to each. Both cedar and fibre cement are popular in Canada and there are good reasons why.

Cedar or Fiber Siding: Things You Should Know

Cedar siding has a long history and has embedded deeply in our culture. Canadian households often choose it over other timber for their clapboard and shingle finishes in traditional and modern styles. That’s because it is durable when properly looked after, and can be customised to create fresh effects.

However, installing wood siding skillfully is something of an art. That’s because the planks have varying tones, grains and density of knots that must be evenly distributed to create a truly flowing effect. It takes years for a cedar installer to master those details. Hence the installation cost is relatively high.

Moreover, cedar siding requires regular maintenance to keep rot and insects at bay. This means annual inspections and regular re-coating with preservative wood seal. Finally, dry timber is highly flammable and flames can spread from neighbouring properties. However, there are more aspects to consider when choosing cedar or fibre siding.

About Fibre Siding: Things You Should Know

There is nothing to compare with cedar siding’s vibrant effect. However, fibre cement is available with grained effects that look remarkably similar to painted timber from a distance. Thus it is far more than an industrial product nowadays. Many folk in Vancouver hardly notice the difference.

Furthermore, cement siding is virtually maintenance-free as it resists insects, fungus and the rays of the sun. A power washer is all a homeowner needs to bring back the sparkle. But there’s a catch, as there usually is. Cement siding is brittle and a hard knock from a ball can break it.

Speak to SilverLine Exterior Solutions for More Advice

We supply vinyl and hardie fibre siding in all areas of Vancouver where we have a solid reputation for quality and service. Choosing cedar or fibre siding for your home is an important decision you may live with for decades.

Hence we invite you to take time out and call our consultants who will visit your home and provide objective advice. And if your choice is fibre or vinyl we will be delighted to quote.

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choosing vinyl siding in calgary

Choosing Vinyl Siding What to Consider

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Vinyl siding has become an attractive alternative to other materials for those who prefer the glossy finish. Moreover, it goes up cheaper and faster than aluminum, and fibre cement materials such as Hardie boards. However, there is more to choosing vinyl siding that just installation price.

It may be the most popular exterior cladding for residential construction in the United States and Canada. However, some baggage comes with it and we detail the pros and cons here. The choice of material rests with you, although we would be delighted if you choose us as your siding contractor.

Good Reasons for Choosing Vinyl Siding for Your Home

There’s no doubt that choosing vinyl siding makes good sense in terms of durability, versatility, and ease of maintenance. Moreover, the product comes with a partial fastening and locking system with nails to attach it to the underlying support.

These clips also hold successive strips together allowing the installation to expand and contract as the ambient temperature changes. However, there are several other aspects to this ingenious system you may need to consider too.

Other Considerations that May Affect Your Decision

Vinyl siding is a thin-profile polyvinyl product meaning it is combustible. The National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland observed fire spreading between adjacent buildings six feet apart within five minutes. Moreover, the fumes are toxic and this may affect the survival of people inside the building.

However, with this exception vinyl siding is virtually indestructible, and less than 1% of it recycles according to Greenpeace International. Many recycling depots are unable to accept it, and those that do often burn it adding to carbon dioxide emissions. Although its durability ensures this would take a long time to happen.

However, vinyl siding could start hinting for replacement long before it reaches its 20 to 30 year design lifespan. In hindsight, choosing vinyl siding may seem the wrong decision as the colour fades and the boards take on dirt. Unfortunately, you can’t paint it because the coat will crack and peal. Therefore you have to live with your choice, or replace it.

The fading appearance might in turn affect the perceived value of your home from a buyer’s perspective, although this does not affect you if you are there for the long haul. Therefore choosing Vinyl siding over Hardie siding is not a simple decision, because there are pros and cons to both options.

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Rain Screen Principle of Primary and Secondary Defence

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A rain screen, in the context of siding is a double moisture barrier. The outer siding could leak between the joints in an extreme storm. A falling branch on the crest of gust of heavy wind could crack or chip it. Either of these could allow moisture through. This could in turn cause damp on the inside of the wall. Applying the rain screen principle can help prevent this happening. Let’s find out more.

The Theory Behind The Rain Screen Principle

Overlapping siding should prevent rainwater or sleet penetrating, unless this strikes the surface almost horizontally with force. In that case, some moisture may penetrate past the joints, and find its way inside the wall through capillary action.

The rain screen principle tackles this problem head on by adding airspace between the siding and the moisture barrier on the inner wall. Any moisture that does admit can then escape via a drain at the bottom of the gap.

Several Names for the Same Thing

The first ‘rain barrier’ we know of appeared in Norway in the 1980’s. In 1963, the Canadian National Research Council published a pamphlet titled “Rain Penetration and its Control” using the term ‘open rain screen’.

Other terms for rain screen systems we have come across include basic, open, conventional, pressure-equalized, pressure-moderated rain screen systems or assemblies. These may cause confusion by distracting attention from the rain screen principles of primary and secondary defences,

We create rain screen walls by separating the inner and outer defences with a system of battens to which the siding attaches. Nobody need know SilverLine Exterior Solutions did this for you because the air gap is usually less than a half inch wide.

More About the Rain Screen Drainage Plane

A drainage plane is the air space between the primary and secondary defenses against water intrusion. Any moisture that enters it, finds its way to a drainage point at the lowest point in the wall where it exits.

Regular seepage is a sign that outer siding has failed somewhere. Investigate this as soon as convenient before water damage affects the battens. We provide this information in the interests of warmer, drier Calgary homes without a spot of inside mold in sight

Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 604-942-0488 if you need more information or advice. Perhaps you have more questions regarding the rain screen principle, or other aspects of the exterior of your home.

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Traditional Lap Siding Shingles Boards and Battens

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Hardie Shingle Boothbay Blue

Traditional Lap Siding Shingles Boards and Battens

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Siding, also known as wall cladding is traditionally attached to the outside of homes and many other buildings in Calgary. This may be a throwback to early settler days. Pioneers lived in log cabins back then and built them with what they could lay their hands on. Different styles developed that came down to us as traditional lap siding shingles boards and battens.

Traditional Lap Siding Is Still the Most Popular

Our early forefathers arrived on wooden sailing ships. The frames of their hulls covered over with horizontal planks that overlapped each other in a style they called clinker-built or lap strake.

It’s possible this experience inspired the log cabins they built. Nowadays we cover over backing boards with engineered planks so each one overlaps the one below it. Artisans call this traditional lap siding ‘clapboard’, and shiplap for reasons you now know.

Wood Shingles for that ‘Cape Cod Style’

Early American brought wood shingle technology with them from Scandinavia when they arrived. These differ from traditional lap siding strips in that they are thin, tapered wood pieces suitable for both roofing and walls.

They overlap in a similar way to tiles. In olden days woodsmen split them from knot-free logs. Nowadays machines cut them from wooden strips. Over the years distinctive patterns of laying appeared. It’s also possible to shape shingles with steam bending.

The Distinctive Board & Batten Look

An abundance of wood lead to an early generation of North American carpenters. These inventive artisans built their own timber frame homes they covered over with vertical boards to get the job done quickly

Nowadays we call this style of construction ‘carpenter gothic’ or ‘rural gothic’. Builders often apples vertical battens over the joints to weather proof them and discourage warping or buckling in those early days.

We Only Touched on Most Popular Siding Styles Here

There are other less common siding styles, all with their own particular charm and quite different from traditional lap siding. Some like thatch siding are more a curiosity now. However, wooden sheet siding is still a popular, affordable way for covering over inexpensive buildings.

This short post is with compliments of SilverLine Exterior Solutions, the small company with a big reputation for replacing windows and siding with extra care. Give us a call at a convenient time at 604-942-0488 when it suits. We are active throughout Greater Vancouver.

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Fibre Cement Material Its Origins and Uses

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Fibre cement material is a composite of cement and cellulose fibre reinforcement. This combination makes a strong, long-lasting construction material that has found a home in many applications especially roofing and siding. It scores well in terms of function, commercial value, performance, and fire-resistance too. Moreover, we can mould in into shapes and tint it in almost any colour.

Fibre Cement Material and Where It Comes From

An Austrian named Ludwig Hatschek had the bright idea of reinforcing cement with 10% asbestos fibres in the late 19th century. He used the mixture as a siding material after running it though a cardboard machine and it soon became popular.

However the great asbestos scandal of the 1970’s almost doomed the idea. This was after scientists linked asbestos with life-threatening lung and stomach diseases. However necessity was the mother invention. Production was soon in full swing again with fibre cement material using cellulose fibres instead.

Occupation Health Measures in Place to Prevent a Repetition

Prior to the great asbestos scandal manufacturers assumed the fibres were safely inside the cement. However workers were still suffered harm in factories and construction sites where they cut the board to size.

Moreover, wind, rain, hail and sleet gradually stripped the covering away from the asbestos fibres. Therefore if you have a very old home with badly weathered boards you may choose to replace them as an added protection.

We only use accredited fibre cement material suppliers who regularly test their products.  This assures us they are free from asbestos, or other harmful materials such as sepiolite, inorganic fibre or formaldehyde.

The Wide Variety of Applications for Fibre Cement Material

Long-lasting fibre cement has become the mainstay in many construction applications. This is especially so with roofing and siding, where homeowners appreciate the range of colours available from muted to vibrant.

Fibre cement panels trimmed to size are a popular choice for fire-proof barriers, ceilings, floors, internal partition walls, and backer boards in wet rooms. They also perform well as fibre cement slates and corrugated roof sheets,

However external cladding and architectural facing are where we find them most where we do business in the greater Vancouver area of Canada. Our offices are at 1560 Broadway St, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2M7. You are also welcome to call 604-942-0488 for fast effective service and advice.

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Windows, Doors, and Siding – SilverLine Exteriors Solution specializes in full package exterior renovation. We have a local vinyl windows manufacturing plant in Port Coquitlam, and a team of experienced installer to serve homeowners. From design to project completion, the biggest joy of our work is helping home owners seeing their dream home come true.