The Workable Choice

Proper drying, priming installation and finishing will help assure the lasting beauty and durability of cypress for many yea$. Follow these guidelines to improve the ability of cypr€ss to endure harsh weather conditions-resulting in less maintenance and greater serviceability.

All wood shrinks and swells with changes in moisture content. To minimize dimensional change after installation, install siding at a moisture content as close as possible to that of the local climate. If the climate in yourregion causes wood to maintain an 8 to 16 percent moisture content annually, then ideally the siding shouldbe installed at a moisture content midway in that range. The lumber should be stored under covex, stickered and off the ground in a wellventilated area for a week to 10 days before installation. Should the siding get wet, the boards must be allowed to drybefore installing. Other construction material must be drybefore the siding is applied.

Siding should be installd at a moisture content as close as possible to that of the local climate.

The Bevel and Williamsburg pattems are installed horizontally. For siding pu{poses, other patterns should be installed vertically. Some patterns also lend themselves to diagonal installation. Most patterns can be installed vertically or horizontallv for interior use.

Sometimes siding that has been properly dried, stored and handled will pick up moisture prior to painting. Iate1, the wood releases moisture and joints may open up, or buckling may occur. This can be minimized by priming or prefinishing all sides, ends and edges after the siding has reached climaticbalance andbefore it is installed. Pre-finishing will minimize objectionable unfinished lines where joints openup because of shrinkageinwidth.

Vapor retarders with a perm rating of 1.0 or less are required on the warm side of the o<terior walls. A vapor retarder also is required on the ground in all crawl spaces or under concrete slabs. Water from the roof must not be allowed to run down side walls of the structure. Ground should be sloped away from the building for a minimum of three feet.

Nails mustbe long enough to pierce the thickness of the siding and the sheathing, plus penetrate 1-112 inches into the stud. Remember: the rigid foam sheathing does not provide any significant nailholding power. Use corrosionresistant nails such as double hot dipped galvanized or stainless steel. Wood siding nails should be blunt-pointed to reduce splitting.

Cypress skling goes up quickly : it's lightweight , strong and the lumber is pru.essed according tostict gmding rules.

If the siding has not been primed or pre-finished as recommended, finishing should occur promptly after installation to protect it from moisture. Light-colored finishes reflect solar heat better than darkcolored finishes and reduce the possibility of shrinkage, checking, warping and loosening of nails.

Transparent and semi-transparent stains do not last as long as opaque stains or paint systems, and must be maintained morefrequently. An alkydprimerand two acrylic topcoats provide the most durable paint system on siding.

Alwap follow the recommendations of the finish manufacturer for product use on wood stains.