Get matched with top siding pros in Plains, MT

Q: How often should I seal clapboard siding?

• <div><p>Wood clapboard siding needs frequent sealing to keep it in top condition&mdash;likely every two to three years. A sealant helps protect it from both moisture and sunlight damage. Your weather and climate will affect how often you need to seal the siding, but the pros recommend sealing it every couple of years. More durable woods in milder climates may not need to be sealed quite as often.</p></div>

Q: What does clapboard siding exposure mean?

• <div><p>The clapboard exposure, also called the reveal, refers to the amount of clapboard visible in the siding. Clapboards always overlap slightly, but some overlap more than others. The exposure is the vertical measurement of the board that remains visible as the clapboard is installed.</p><p>When repairing clapboard siding, it&rsquo;s important that you match the exposure of your current clapboards. You may want to take a measurement of the specific exposure on your siding for reference in repairs.</p></div>

Q: How can I tell if I have siding or cladding?

• <div><p>If you have stucco on the outside of your home, it&rsquo;s technically considered cladding and not siding, but beyond that, it&rsquo;s impossible to tell without a little digging. Without damaging the siding material, expose part of it to see if there&rsquo;s an air gap between the siding and your exterior wall. If there is, you have cladding. If the siding is affixed directly to the exterior wall, you have a simple siding system. </p></div>

Q: How do I choose the right vinyl siding style and color for my home?

• <div><p>Consider your home's architectural style, neighborhood guidelines, and the vendor's options. Samples and software previews can help visualize the final result.</p></div>

Q: Can you use a nail gun on clapboard siding?

• <div><p>You should use a siding nail gun for siding installation, but if you don&rsquo;t have one you can use a framing nailer instead, if the nails are long enough to firmly attach to the clapboard siding. However, framing requires longer nails that join lumber together. In that instance, siding nails will not be enough.</p></div>

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Siding questions, answered by experts

Wood clapboard siding needs frequent sealing to keep it in top condition—likely every two to three years. A sealant helps protect it from both moisture and sunlight damage. Your weather and climate will affect how often you need to seal the siding, but the pros recommend sealing it every couple of years. More durable woods in milder climates may not need to be sealed quite as often.

The clapboard exposure, also called the reveal, refers to the amount of clapboard visible in the siding. Clapboards always overlap slightly, but some overlap more than others. The exposure is the vertical measurement of the board that remains visible as the clapboard is installed.

When repairing clapboard siding, it’s important that you match the exposure of your current clapboards. You may want to take a measurement of the specific exposure on your siding for reference in repairs.

If you have stucco on the outside of your home, it’s technically considered cladding and not siding, but beyond that, it’s impossible to tell without a little digging. Without damaging the siding material, expose part of it to see if there’s an air gap between the siding and your exterior wall. If there is, you have cladding. If the siding is affixed directly to the exterior wall, you have a simple siding system.

Consider your home's architectural style, neighborhood guidelines, and the vendor's options. Samples and software previews can help visualize the final result.

You should use a siding nail gun for siding installation, but if you don’t have one you can use a framing nailer instead, if the nails are long enough to firmly attach to the clapboard siding. However, framing requires longer nails that join lumber together. In that instance, siding nails will not be enough.

The Plains, MT homeowners’ guide to siding services

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