Caulking Smart Siding

Lp smartside engineered wood trim siding resists damage from impacts better than fiber cement and vinyl siding.

Caulking smart siding.

This quad max caulk matches lp smartside prefinished siding colors to take the guesswork out of color matching. Although lp building products siding is available bare or painted cutting the materials to fit during installation exposes some areas to the elements. Smart siding is not necessarily a bad product in and of it self lack of upkeep is where most propblems start. Caulking your home s siding is a simple process but not necessarily a foolproof one.

On most new homes the trim goes up after the siding is installed which creates a large gap that should not be caulked. Learn more about our engineered wood siding and trim. Keep up on the painting and caulking it should last fine. When deciding how to use caulk on your siding however it is generally more important to consider where you should not use it.

Lp siding requires flexible exterior grade paintable caulk to seal gaps. Expertfinish lap also features a proprietary joint that helps you avoid the need for seam caulking joint molds or pan flashing. Proven to stick on wet and cold surfaces it is easy to use in all temperatures and has a fast 24 hour curing time. Now available in 16 versatile prefinished colors the expertfinish color collection is guaranteed to look great and remain durable for years to come due to a factory finish with acrylic latex paint.

In the old days the builder would install the trim bring the siding up to it and caulk the corner. Caulk is by necessity a sticky gooey substance and as such it smudges easily. The manufacturer requires that all exposed edges usually bottom or at field cuts be properly primed and painted. The good news is the manufacturer has recommend fixes if mistakes occur which usually consist of caulking and sealing to prevent excessive water penetration into the siding at overdriven nails.

If overused or incorrectly placed siding caulk can cause more damage to your exterior than good. We need air circulation behind these boards and the opening acts as a water exit should water ever go behind the boards. It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. Proper sealants are important for preserving the integrity and warranty of lp siding.