{"id":2484,"date":"2013-12-25T11:58:25","date_gmt":"2013-12-25T16:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=2484"},"modified":"2017-01-18T14:40:09","modified_gmt":"2017-01-18T19:40:09","slug":"specifying-weather-resistant-siding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/specifying-weather-resistant-siding\/","title":{"rendered":"Specifying weather-resistant siding"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"All<\/a>
All photos courtesy James Hardie Building Products<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

by Chad Diercks and Dale Knox
\n<\/strong>Severe weather can devastate communities and cause costly property damage, prompting designers and specifiers for commercial, multi-family, institutional, and industrial buildings to seek durable siding materials. Fiber cement has become a popular choice to satisfy requirements for both code compliance and improved property protection.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>Storms, wildfires and other acts of nature are difficult to predict, but statistics show damage caused by these occurrences are increasingly expensive. Property damage in the United States caused by tornadoes, hail, floods, coastal storms, hurricanes, and blizzards totaled more than $26.5 trillion in 2012, according to a report from the National Weather Service.1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Further, consumer insurance website Insure.com notes six of the top 10 costliest wildfires in U.S. history have struck in the last decade.2<\/sup><\/a><\/a> Four of the five most expensive hurricanes have also occurred since 2005. Hurricane Katrina is at the top with an estimated cost of $108 billion. Last year\u2019s Hurricane Sandy, which struck the U.S. eastern seaboard in October, cost an <\/a>estimated $65 billion.3<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fiber<\/a>
Fiber cement siding enables buildings to stand up better in both everyday and extreme weather. This photo shows fiber cement siding used to renovate an existing pool complex in Moorhaven, New York.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/a>Considerations when specifying siding range from aesthetics and cost, to code compliance and safety. Two important issues for building owners are lowered maintenance and less risk\u2014especially related to moisture.<\/p>\n

For years, product specifiers relied on vinyl and wood siding as traditional go-to products for various projects. However, vinyl siding can be seriously damaged during <\/a>storms with strong winds, hail, and flying debris. According to the National Storm Damage Center (NSDC) the most common types of storm damage to vinyl siding are cracking, chipping, and breaking.4<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

With the development of more durable materials, there has been growth in the use of fiber cement siding because it stands up better in both every day and extreme weather. Although the initial investment of fiber cement siding can be slightly higher than other siding options, the improved protection and lower maintenance provide a payback over the long term.<\/p>\n

The specification process for institutional and industrial buildings can be more complex than other commercial buildings. For institutional buildings associated with a state or federal government agency, specified products are usually required to be manufactured in the United States, due to the Buy American Act<\/em>. Industrial buildings involving chemicals have extra considerations related to fire and explosion prevention.<\/p>\n

In assisting project managers with quality control by helping to navigate the complex demands large projects put forth on project teams, MasterFormat<\/em> is helpful at providing the information needed to navigate such variables. It helps organize critical fire-related elements of the project so teams and owners are better aligned on the agreed-upon needs and wants required.<\/p>\n

\"Fiber<\/a>
Fiber cement siding can be more durable than vinyl or wood for withstanding impacts from ice, hail, or storm debris. This image shows fiber cement siding on Lighthouse High School in the Bronx, New York.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many building plans start with evaluation of codes for fire ratings and weather hazards, which may significantly vary by region. Many state and municipal codes are based on the International Building Code<\/em> (IBC<\/em>) and then tailored to fit regional needs, which can make requirements stricter in some areas. IBC<\/em> Section 1405.16, \u201cFiber-cement Siding,\u201d specifically covers the usage and installation of the material. (See \u201cSection 1405.16<\/a>.\u201d)<\/p>\n

Disasters are often the impetus for regional code changes. In the 1990s, hurricanes in Florida drove regional change to the state\u2019s building code, such as the inclusion of American Society of Civil Engineering\/Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE\/SEI) 7, Minimum Design Loads For Buildings and Other Structures<\/em>, code adoption, and required missile impact-resistant glass and wall systems. A decade later, wildfires in California led to changes in the state building code. For example, eave, deck, and exterior wall protection, as well as elevated window fire endurance were updated. Some of these regional code changes have flowed over into the national model codes.<\/p>\n

Due to recent storms, flooding has become a growing area of consideration, and one that will likely have more stringent codes in the future. For instance, the 2012 IBC<\/em> requires exterior walls extending below the design flood elevation be constructed of flood-damage-resistant materials.<\/p>\n

According to Section 1403.6, \u201cFlood Resistance:\u201d<\/p>\n

For buildings in flood hazard areas as established in Section 1612.3, exterior walls extending below the elevation required by Section 1612 shall be constructed with flood-damage-resistant materials. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, 2012 IBC<\/em>, Section 202 defines several key terms related to flood loads. They include:<\/p>\n