Wood is a beautiful, timeless siding material, but unfortunately, it can develop many problems—including pest damage, high-maintenance upkeep, and wood rot.
Rotting occurs when wood encounters moisture and can’t dry out quickly. Damp wood siding creates the ideal environment for fungus and mold to grow, which slowly eats away at your beautiful siding, causing swelling, structural damage, peeling paint, and other costly issues.
Learn about these common signs of wood rot for your Indianapolis home—and discover how to fix them for good with durable, water-resistant James Hardie siding installation from Craftsman Exterior Remodeling—a James Hardie Preferred Contractor!
Signs of Wood Rot
Wood rot can cause the following issues with your siding:
- Discoloration—If your wood siding is two (or more!) colors, this may be a sign the discolored portions are suffering from wood rot.
- Disintegration—When your siding crumbles or breaks off in your hand when you touch it, this is almost always a sign of wood rot.
- Sponginess—If your siding is soft and pliable when pressed with a metal tool, like a crowbar, it indicates wood root.
- Peeling—Your paint may begin to peel over sections of your siding experiencing wood rot. If the section with peeling paint is damp, you can attribute the damage to rotting.
- Odorousness—Wood rot produces an earthy, musty smell as it breaks down your siding, so if your exterior has an unpleasant odor, it may be attributed to wood rot.
Help Prevent Wood Rot with James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding
If you’re looking to replace your rotted siding with a durable, waterproof alternative, look no further than James Hardie fiber cement siding. The following features ensure this popular siding won’t develop wood rot—even if you have wood framing underneath.
Weather-Resistant Siding Performance
James Hardie’s products are Engineered for Climate®, meaning your siding boards are uniquely designed for Indianapolis’s seasonal temperature variations and frequent precipitation. HZ5® is installed on homes in continental climates like the Midwest and includes materials that resist moisture intrusion, so your siding will not shrink, swell, crack, or develop mold or rot.
Pest-Resistant Material
Wood is more likely to rot when holes, cracks, and crevices leave the material vulnerable to moisture intrusion. Unfortunately, termites, woodpeckers, insects, and other pests are attracted to wood, so they may damage your home’s exterior while attempting to eat, nest, or mate.
Fiber cement siding is pest-resistant, so it’s a great option to protect your home against insect infestation and pest damage to your home’s exterior that can accelerate rotting.
Water-Resistant
Did you realize that your home can still develop wood rot even if you don’t have wood siding? Vinyl siding includes gaps that allow water to seep behind the panels into the wood decking underneath, especially if your boards are not correctly applied. Your home may also have wood trim, windowsills, or door frames prone to rotting.
Fortunately, in addition to water-resistant siding, James Hardie offers waterproof accessories, like underlayment, trim, and soffit, to ensure your exterior doesn’t suffer from rotting anywhere.
Replace Your Homes Rotted Siding with James Hardie from Craftsman Exteriors
In addition to being durable, waterproof, and low-maintenance, fiber cement siding has many other benefits, like beautiful styles and long-lasting warranties!
If you’re ready to say goodbye to wood rot and exterior deterioration forever, replace your moisture-soaked boards with Hardie fiber cement siding from Craftsman Exterior Remodeling. We focus on the small details, like meticulous caulking and careful siding installation, to ensure you receive the best possible results for your project.
Learn more about James Hardie siding to discover why this durable, water-resistant, and fire-resistant siding is the best choice for your Indianapolis home!
