1. Independently owned and operated
Composite Siding
Independently owned and operated

2. Composite Siding Four biggest manufacturers: Louisiana Pacific (LP)
Masonite
Georgia Pacific
Weyerhaeuser
All are under current or past class-action lawsuits

3. What Is Composite Siding?
Composite siding is a type of exterior cladding system that is available in many different styles, designs and patterns
Made from wood byproducts such as sawdust, card board, paper, wafers and glue, it is coated in resin and formed into a mold under heat and pressure to form individual boards or 4x8 sheets
It is difficult to identify which brand has been installed
Only LP in a limited version can be visually identified
All others must be removed to see identifying trademarks
Inspectors CANNOT remove siding to identify the brand

4. How to Identify the Product
From a visual standpoint, it is difficult to tell
Composition lap siding, when installed, looks like any other type of wood vertical lap or horizontal siding.
Boards are available in 16-ft. lengths, come in various widths from 6 to 12 inches wide, and are textured to look like real wood siding
Lap siding is installed horizontally with the top portion of each board overlapped by the board above

5. LP Composite Siding
One characteristic that can be associated with older type of LP lap siding:
Company’s distinctive trademark was imbedded into various pieces of the boards as they were being manufactured
Only LP Inner Seal Siding has this identifying trademark

6. LP Composite Siding
The drawing on the left depicts how randomly the knots may appear
The drawing on the right side is an example of what 4x8 panel siding may look like

7. LP-sided home, rear view
LP Composite Siding
LP-sided home, rear view

8. LP-sided home, swollen, delaminated drip edges
LP Composite Siding
LP-sided home, swollen, delaminated drip edges

9. LP-sided home, exposed edges
LP Composite Siding
LP-sided home, exposed edges

10. LP-sided home, failed caulking joints
LP Composite Siding
LP-sided home, failed caulking joints

11. Reasons for Failure Improper installations by contractors
Overdriven nailing procedure allows moisture penetration internally to product
Failure to reseal exposed ends during installation
Failure to properly caulk exposed ends and butt joints
Lack of homeowner maintenance
Failure to keep siding maintained
Improperly painted, caulked and sealed
Requires periodic inspection — home should be painted and sealed every five to seven years depending on exposure to outside elements

12. Result of Class-action Lawsuit on LP Products
As a result of a class-action lawsuit against LP, an upgraded version of LP’s Inner Seal siding was introduced after 1996
LP introduced its “Smart System”
Same components as before only introduced more chemicals to deter moisture intrusion and WDO infestation
GPI’s opinion: If the same methods of installation and maintenance continue, then the same problems will result — it’s only a matter of time

13. Summary
If composite siding is maintained properly, it can last 20 years
Composite siding MUST BE KEPT SEALED WITH PAINT, CAULKED PROPERLY AND CHECKED PERIODICALLY FOR PROPER MAINTENANCE
For current status of class-action lawsuits, go to

14. Thank you!