EnduraPlus™ Handling, Installation & Finishing Information

Installation

Product should be kept off the ground and protected from the elements in a dry environment with a breathable waterproof cover that allows air to circulate. Material should be given time to acclimate to its surrounding ambient moisture level. To prevent product shrinkage on the home, it should not be installed with a moisture reading above 18%. Siding should be installed with a minimum of 8” off the ground and ends and cut edges sealed to prevent moisture uptake.

Sealing & Priming

When pre-primed material is cut during field application, the cut end must be field primed and preserved prior to installation. This frequently overlooked step is very important since moisture moves much more rapidly through the end-grain than the face of the wood. Nail holes should also be filled and preserved immediately after installation to prevent the uptake of moisture. Factory pre-primed surfaces should be painted within 30 days of installation, or dirt, moisture and chalking may prevent bonding and shorten the life of the paint film. If the material is allowed to weather for an extended time, clean and prime all surfaces again prior to topcoat application.

Painting

Painting provides the best protection for kiln-dried Advantage Plus siding, trim boards and moulding. Two coats of high quality, 100% acrylic latex paint are recommended, thus stretching and shrinking with the wood and allowing some passage of water vapor. These characteristics prevent the cracking and blistering that sometimes occurs with an oil or alkyd resin based topcoat. Primer is not intended to be used as a finish coat. Finish coats must be applied within 90 days of installation. To avoid future separation between paint coats, the second topcoat should be applied within two weeks of the first coat. If longer than 90 days, re-prime with a high-quality exterior grade primer.

Finish coats should provide a minimum thickness of 4 dry mils (2 dry mils per coat). Finish coats or topcoats can be applied to broad surfaces by roller or spray, but brush application is the superior application method, especially for the first coat. Do not use low quality oil or alkyd paints, vinyl acetate (PVA), vinyl acrylic or vinyl acetate acrylic co-polymer paints. Do not paint in wet or cold conditions. We do not recommend Finish coating below 50º F. Always follow the paint manufacturer’s application guidelines when top coating. All surface and End Cuts must be primed again and final coated in place if they are exposed to weather.

When choosing the finish coat color, it is important to note the benefits of using a lighter color or shade of paint. Lighter colors reflect more heat than darker colors. Dark colors absorb heat which is another enemy of wood. Heat dries out wood and can cause shrinkage and warping. Using a light color can extend the life of sidings and fascia and is highly recommended.

Prevent Moisture Problems Before You Start

Most lumber and finish problems are caused by moisture. Woods shrink as they dry and swell when they absorb moisture. These dimensional changes can cause splitting, checking, buckling and nail popping. Extractive staining and finish performance problems are also caused by excessive moisture. Most performance issues are preventable through proper handling and construction techniques. Proper wall construction includes a vapor barrier with a rating of 1 perm on the warm side of the wall. Water resistant building paper with a rating of at least 5 perms should be applied over exterior sheathing. Exterior sheathing should be plywood, waferboard or OSB. All siding should be 8” above ground level.

Storing EnduraPlus™

Primed lumber should be stored off the ground in a covered building and out of the weather. For best results, let wood products reach an equilibrium with the local climate by storing them for at least fifteen days in a well-ventilated shelter.

  • DO store wood in a garage or shed with adequate air circulation for best protection from the elements.
  • DO keep wood dry. If it can’t be kept under a roof, protect it with a water proof cover. Make sure the cover is secure but loose enough to permit air circulation.
  • DO store wood off ground and protected from dirt, moisture, direct sunlight and extreme heat.
  • DON’T keep wood wrapped tightly in plastic covers. Loosen wrappers at job site to permit air circulation.
  • DON’T leave wood in the sun or covered in dark plastic. The dark cover will attract heat and cause excess drying.
  • DON’T let wood get wet or dirty. When storing lumber near the ground, place a plastic cover over soil to minimize moisture absorption causing shrinkage and swelling.