I have a house that has masonite board, used with cedar 1×4 battens as a “stucco” alternative, and certainly less costly. The look is english tudor. I inherited this condition on prior to buying the house and now we are adding some of our own.
The problem: does this material last? What have other people experienced? The masonite panel edges are covered by the battens, and the corners caulked; then the surfaces are painted. no flashing is involved, so the only protection is the caulk and paint. Which seems like failure is going to happen somewhere, sooner rather than later. Should I just bite the bullet and go with real stucco? Or is this product and use reasonable?
helpthearc
Replies
Just replaced some today. It's all of about $14 a sheet, and you get what you pay for. If you keep it out of the water ( like not touching the ground ) it doesn't hold up too bad considering, but it's cheap stuff, and you shouldn't expect anything more than that. Over time, between moisture and temperature changes, what I see it doing the most is delaminating at the bottom (where snow piles up) and the edges. Caulk and the battens do some good at slowing this down. I added horizontal battens to 6 homes this last summer at the bottom edge, and overlapping the bottom just about 1/4", to try to slow the wear. Beveled the top about 15 degrees to help shed water. Did one, neighbor says "hey, that looks like a good idea" next thing you know I'm a neighborhood regular.