How to Cover the Seams of Masonite
Masonite siding, often also called hardboard siding, is manufactured from highly compressed wood fibers bonded together. The tempered version of this product is made under high temperature and pressure with the added ingredients of oil and polymer. The resulting product is suitable for exterior applications. The name comes from the Masonite company, although that company has not made this style of siding for many years. While this product comes in several styles, the 4-foot-by-8-foot sheets develop the worst problems at the seams. Buckling and nail popping at the seams are common. One option to fix this is to cover the seams. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Paint scraper
- Claw hammer
- Razor knife
- Caulking gun
- Silicone caulk
- Tape measure
- Circular saw
- 1-inch-by-4-inch lumber
- 2-inch deck screws
- Electric drill
- Phillips-head screwdriver bit
- Paint
Instructions
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1
Scrape old paint and loose and rotted siding from the seam by dragging the scraper over the seam from top to bottom.
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2
Pull nails with the claw of the hammer when their heads are no longer tight against the siding.
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3
Clip the tip on the caulk nozzle so the opening is about 3/8 inch in diameter. Use the flip-out wire on the underside of the caulk gun to puncture the seal of the caulk tube by sliding it into the nozzle. Load the tube of caulk into the caulking gun with the nozzle pointing out the end opposite the trigger. Depress the thumb lever on the back of the gun and slide the plunge rod toward the front of the gun until it stops inside the back of the caulk tube.
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4
Caulk the full length of the seam by squeezing the trigger and sliding the nozzle along the seam. Control the flow of the caulk by the amount of pressure put on the trigger. Be sure to fill all gaps and holes.
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5
Measure the length of the seam.
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6
Cut the 1-inch-by-4-inch lumber to the same length as the seam.
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7
Place the lumber centered on the seam.
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8
Drive screws along the length of the seam at 1-foot intervals. Place these at the center of the 1-inch-by-4-inch lumber so they penetrate into the stud behind the siding. This gives maximum holding power. Countersink the screw heads as you go by applying a little extra pressure to the drill and spinning the screw slightly more once the underside of the screw head contacts the lumber.
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9
Paint the seam covers the same color as the siding.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Buy the 1-inch-by-4-inch lumber in the lengths closest to the length of the seams. If the seams are 7 feet 6 inches long, buy 8-foot lumber.
Wear safety glasses and gloves.
