When was Masonite siding used?

In the 1930s and 1940s, Masonite was used for applications including doors, roofing, walls, desktops, and canoes. It was sometimes used for house siding. Similar "tempered hardboard" is now a generic product made by many forest product companies.

When did they stop using Masonite siding?

As a result of the lawsuit, nearly all manufacturers stopped producing Masonite siding and, in March 2001, the Masonite Corporation announced its decision to phase out production of all hardboard siding products.

How do I know if I have Masonite siding?

See if you can locate either the manufacturer's name or AHA code from the The American Hardboard Association. From there, you can search the code to see if it is masonite siding. The two largest manufacturers are Masonite Omniwood and LP's Inner-Seal.

Why was Masonite siding discontinued?

It was "supposed" to be lower maintenance than its counterparts and last longer; however, time showed that this product was not living up to its hype. After about 20 years and class-action lawsuits, it is no longer manufactured. So, now that Hardboard siding is discontinued, what do you do?

What kind of siding was used in the 80s?

Also referred to as hardboard, pressboard or masonite siding, is mainly comprised of wood fibers, flakes or chips that are held together by glues and resins. This type of siding was extremely popular from the 1980's to the mid 1990's as a low cost alternative to other existing house sidings.

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Can you still buy masonite siding?

Masonite Siding Problems. But, masonite developed many serious problems of its own. Just 20 years after its creation, the original manufacturers were hit with multiple class action suits because the material does so badly. It's currently still available as “hardboard” although most people still refer to it as masonite.

When was hardboard siding used?

Hardboard siding entered the market in the 1920s, but rose to popularity in the 1970s as an inexpensive alternative to wood siding. As stricter environmental regulations came into force, hardboard began to fall out of favor, but it was still used in some 30 percent of homes in the 1980s and even into the 1990s.

When should I replace Masonite siding?

Moisture damage

Since Masonite is made up of wood fibers, it is easily susceptible to moisture retention and eventually damage. Wood rot can spread rapidly and cause costly remodeling needs to your siding and your home. When siding buckles, softens, rots or blisters, it needs to be replaced.

What is another name for Masonite siding?

Masonite is a type of hardboard, a kind of engineered wood, which is made of steam-cooked and pressure-molded wood fibers in a process patented by William H. Mason. It is also called Quartrboard, Isorel, hernit, karlit, torex, treetex, and pressboard.

Is Masonite better than vinyl?

It can cost 25 percent to 50 percent more than vinyl but is cheaper than wood. The main drawback is that, unlike vinyl, it requires more maintenance than vinyl and requires repainting or restaining every eight to 10 years because the color will fade.

Is Masonite the same as hardiplank?

The Cost Differences Between James Hardie Fiber Cement and Masonite Siding. Clearly, masonite siding is going to be more affordable. Masonite siding is essentially like particle board, which is very cheap to make. It does not require a whole lot of materials, or a whole lot of work to make it.

Can you paint Masonite?

The paintability of Masonite, or hardboard, varies by manufacturer and manufacturing process even if the hardboard panels are in the same class. Painting Masonite requires using basic painting techniques for a long-wearing finish.

Can Masonite siding be painted?

Masonite is easily damaged, so use caution when scraping off layers of old paint and sanding the surface. Also, Masonite siding will need a coat of primer prior to painting. A primer that is appropriate for Masonite is necessary and the siding must completely dry before applying top-coats of paint.

How often does Masonite siding need to be painted?

It's extremely durable and low maintenance, only needing a new coat of paint every 10 to 20 years. Despite the myths about fiber cement siding, you can often prolong painting with proper washing and upkeep.

Can vinyl siding be installed over Masonite siding?

That's an important first step as vinyl siding should never be installed over the Masonite. Some vinyl siding replacement companies will simply attach the new vinyl to the old Masonite siding, which can cause issues in the future. It's actually extremely critical to remove the old Masonite from the exterior.

Can you power wash Masonite siding?

A word of caution when house cleaning: if your home's exterior is Masonite or other hardboard siding, do not proceed with power washing. The intense pressure of the power washer can damage the siding; opt for the old stand-by garden hose and some household bleach to do the job.

How much does it cost to replace Masonite?

Masonite Siding Average Costs #

Hardboard siding costs $2.50 to $5 per square foot installed. For an average-sized home with 1,500 exterior square feet, the total cost might be $3,750 to $7,500. Materials to replace a 12 foot by 1 foot section of Masonite costs $10 to $20.

How can you tell if wood siding is rotten?

If your siding has begun to warp, rot, or become soft, it is time to replace it. To test for rot, insert a screwdriver or prybar gently under the boards and joints along gutters and chimneys to see if the material underlying the area is soft and easy to poke into. This indicates significant, irreparable rotting damage.

What is the lifespan of Masonite siding?

The Masonite Lifespan

When Masonite is caulked well and regularly, it can be expected to last for more than 20 years without any problems. Damage occurs when proper maintenance has not been followed up on. If you own a home with Masonite siding, make sure to inspect it regularly.

Do termites eat Masonite siding?

Inspect the outside of home for moisture problemsAn area that commonly rots and acts as harborage for termites is masonite siding.

How do I know if I have hardboard siding?

The best way to tell what type of siding is on your home, is to go to an unfinished area like the attic or garage, and pull back the tar paper from the back of the siding and look for markings. See if you can locate either the manufacturer's name or AHA code (The American Hardboard Association).

Is Masonite and hardboard the same thing?

Masonite is a type of hardboard, also referred to as HDF or high-density fiberboard, a type of fiberboard. As opposed to MDF or medium-density fiberboard.

When was Masonite invented?

Masonite was one of the most prevalently used of the new materials. This manufactured hardboard, which lies beneath the paint of innumerable 20th century artworks, was invented in Laurel, Mississippi, in 1924 by William H. Mason.

Does Masonite contain asbestos?

It is usually the 'sharp/solid' sounding products that require further investigation, especially if it has signs of raised nail heads, cover straps, etc. Masonite, Cement Sheet and AC Sheet can all fall into this category.