Customers are attracted to businesses that look great and stand out. But standing out is difficult when you use the same materials as other businesses. One way to outshine the competition is to use a natural hardwood like Ipe for siding. Wood radiates a welcoming environment and evokes wholesome emotions that other materials can’t replicate.
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Advantage Rainscreen Siding™ is a gorgeous siding option that elevates your home.
Advantage Rainscreen™ transforms the way you install wood siding. Traditional siding is installed via face screws and plugs. This process works well, but the gap between each board can allow the accumulation of water and moisture, leading to potential wood deterioration.
All wood breathes, no matter what kind it is. The fibers that make up the wood absorb and release moisture. It’s required that before you begin installation, you allow the decking to acclimate to your local environment. This helps prevent large expansion and contraction of the wood once it’s installed.
The proper way to acclimate wood is to let it sit in the area where it will be built for a period of at least 7 days. Depending on your climate, and the time of year you install your deck, this acclimation period can be anywhere between 7 – 14 days. Never let your wood sit directly on top of the ground or concrete.
Both the ground and concrete have high fluctuations in temperature and humidity and can adversely affect the decking. Do not store your material for more than 30 days before installing it. If you have to store it for a period longer than 30 days, consult with someone from AdvantageLumber.com to find the proper way to install during long periods of time.
During the storage process, the deck must be elevated at least 12″ off the ground and stickers (small wood pieces) must be placed between each row of wood. This spacing will help with the ventilation in each board and helping it acclimate evenly. Last, but not least, do not cover your wood with any tarp/plastic.
Covering it with a tarp will trap moisture and cause the wood to warp and twist. If you foresee rainfall, cover the wood with a sheet of plywood to shed the water. Always keep your material as dry as possible prior to installation.
Following these simple rules will ensure that your siding will perform as you expect it to. Not only will the boards last longer, but it’ll be free of imperfections and future defects. We encourage you to watch this video to see how not to store wood decking or siding:
This post is dedicated to answer our customers frequently asked questions (F.A.Q.s) about our Advantage Rainscreen Siding™ profile.
Q: How is Advantage Rainscreen Siding™ better than the traditional siding options?
A: Aesthetically, Advantage Rainscreen™ provides a fastener free surface. Advantage Rainscreen™ also provides a much smaller gap spacing than tradition siding profiles which help maintaining moisture and water from entering the boards. This prevents rot, decay, and mold.
Q: Is predrilling required when installing Advantage Rainscreen Siding™?
A: No. Our Advantage Rainscreen Siding™ profile is installed using the DeckWise™ Hidden fastening system that is screwed into furring strips, and not the siding itself. This eliminates the need for predrilling, saving you time and money.
Q: What species and sizes is Advantage Rainscreen™ available in?
A: Our Advantage Rainscreen™ siding is available in Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, and Massaranduba. These options allow you the opportunity to pick the best color profile that matches the look you want to achieve for your home or business. These Brazilian hardwoods provide a very durable surface that withstands the most extreme climates. Our Rainscreen profile is available in two sizes: 5/4 x 4 and 5/4 x 6.
Q: Is rain the only thing that Advantage Rainscreen™ keeps out?
A: Our Advantage Rainscreen™ siding helps prevent more than just moisture penetration! When properly installed, this siding profile decreases the damaging effects caused by snow and other extreme weather conditions. The Brazilian hardwoods our siding is made from has such density and tight grain a single board will sink in water.
Q: How do I keep insects from getting behind my siding?
A: Although our Advantage Rainscreen™ is great for beauty and protection, the structure that is mounted on may not be as resistant as the Brazilian Hardwood. Installing a mesh screen at the foot, trim and openings that doesn’t inhibit ventilation will prevent bugs to enter the space between the siding and wall.
Q: What is the cost of installing Advantage Rainscreen™ compared to other traditional methods?
A: The initial cost may be higher than other woods and profiles, but in the long run our Advantage Rainscreen™ will last longer and require less maintenance than any softwood or vinyl siding options.
Q: What kind of screws should I use? Galvanized or stainless steel?
A: For any exterior wood installation, stainless steel fasteners are recommended. If you are near the ocean, highest rated stainless steel screws can be used to prevent corrosion. Galvanized screws are not recommended because they only have a top coating that eventually wears away and leaves the screw unprotected. We always recommend stainless steel screws because the rust prevention is in the metal the screw is made of.
Always remember that proper installation and following our recommended guidelines will increase the longevity of your siding. Refer to your local building code prior to installation.
Click here to get your free Advantage Rainscreen™ Siding quote.
Give your home a face lift with the exotic and captivating look only natural wood can bring. Unlike any other material, wood brings both warmth and beauty to your project. Let your commercial location or home speak for itself by making the perfect first impression. The possibilities for exterior wood applications are endless, and Advantage Lumber can help you get the perfect materials for your designs.
Our Advantage Siding™ will elevate your home in ways you never dreamed of.
A patio is your home away from home. It’s a place to escape where all the worries and stress of everyday life melt away. The perfect way to turn your patio into this get away is to use hardwood. Wood has a beautiful welcoming feel that relaxes and comforts. This characteristic is embedded into our Ipe wood, which made it the reason why a Florida homeowner chose it for her patio remodel.
Ipe was used in every aspect of this patio remodeling, which featured creative applications such as benches, showers, and wall sidings. Its mechanical specifications came into consideration since Ipe has a 75 year lifespan and strong resistance to mold, decay, rot, and termites. These features became extremely important because it was used for a fully functional outdoor shower. The water coupled with its vapor would warp and possibly rot other species of wood, but not Ipe.
All the creative and unique features that this project encompasses could only be accomplished with Ipe. The resort style bench, shower, and siding needed the characteristics that only Ipe provides. Choose Advantage Ipe™ like this homeowner did, to build the patio of your dreams without breaking the piggy bank.
Vertical Siding Installation
So you’ve decided Advantage Rainscreen Siding™ is the right choice for your home renovation project. The only problem is that you want your home to stand out amongst the crowd of run-of-the-mill looks. For an eye-catching look not seen in many homes, vertical installation* of rainscreen siding is a definite possibility. When you combine the warm and inviting look of real, natural Advantage Hardwoods with an application such as vertical siding, you can get the dynamic look you are aiming for. Although, exotic hardwoods have a much better resistance to rot, mold, and decay, vertical installations of any type of siding will increase the potential for water intrusion.
Proper Installation of the Furring Strips is Key
What’s the best way to install vertical siding while decreasing the chances of water retention? Install furring strips diagonally.
The diagonal furring strips need to be nailed at 12” on center and at a 45° angle. Start installing on the right and work your way to the left. This will still allow the airspace to get the ventilation it needs. With this placement of the furring strips you can install the siding vertical, horizontal, or in a pattern.
Advantage Rainscreen Siding™ Fasteners
Use rainscreen siding fasteners for easy installation. To install start at the corner using the starter clip that comes with your fastener kit, and attach it to the side. Fasten the siding to the furring strips, make sure to drive the stainless steel screw at a 45°, and then place the next piece of siding in to the fastener with the pre-molded groove. Use a level to ensure the boards are aligned properly. When dealing with outside corners, you can use a vertical siding corner post.
Can You Install Furring Strips Horizontally?
Horizontal furring strips are not something that I recommend. While typical siding installation require furring strips to be installed vertically, this is not the case when it comes to vertical siding installation. If vertical siding was set onto horizontal furring strips, any water that intrudes would have no place to go. With that much water retention, problems like rot and decay will lead to even more problems like air leaks. Even if you take the time to cut enough slits in the strips for drainage, there is still no guarantee that it will be sufficient enough for the rainscreen siding to ventilate properly. Stick with vertical or diagonal furring strip placement for the best possible outcome.
Diagonal furring strips can open up doors when it comes to rainscreen siding patterns. Don’t you want to own a house that your neighbors will envy? It will look spectacular and will also help your siding last for years and years.
*PRIOR TO INSTALLATION: Although vertical installation is a creative choice for your siding project, you run the risk of increased water intrusion since water will run the length of the siding and possible enter through any open grooves.*