Tip of the Month – April 2010

George…..wooden false teeth, really?  Wasn’t Washington worried about termites?  We’ve probably all heard that George Washington had false teeth made out of wood and it has even been touted on The History Channel.  Sometimes the original material is just better than substitutes.  When talking about substitutes for wood, this is not necessarily true.

Thirty years ago and longer, wood was used for siding, trim, decks and other building components because it was cheap, readily available and there weren’t too many alternative products to use instead.  We commonly encounter buildings that have wood components of that vintage and they are usually termite infested and badly decayed due to dryrot.  Fortunately, wood is playing a lesser role in the architecture of building being built more recently.  Builders often use foam, covered with stucco,  to create architectural features that might earlier have been made of wood.  But, what does that do for older buildings?

The answer is that there are now products that mimic wood that are actually composites of plastics and wood or are cement-based.  Some of the old wood siding styles, including Ship-Lap, Tongue and Groove, T-111 and shingles (a variety of styles) have been replicated in cement-based products that will never suffer from dryrot and termite damage.  The same companies that make the siding also make wood trim pieces to be used in conjunction with the siding.  Other products are available for deck surfaces that are maintenance-free and will outlast wood products many times over.  When using this type of product it is important to make certain that the support structures are in keeping with the manufacturer’s specifications because in the heat, it can sag if not properly supported. 

We would be happy to consult with you and your board members to make informed decisions about the types of products to use when replacing old wood.  When you consider the life expectancy and the elimination of the disease and insect factors, these products make much more financial sense.