Siding 

The Construction Defect Center's National Building Envelope Initiative

Building envelope problems have become one of the most common building problems in post 2000 US residential construction. Unfortunately, building envelope issues, are still some of the least understood, even though they are frequently easy to see. 

The building envelope is what separates the inside of a building from the outside. A typical building envelope consists of the foundation, exterior walls, windows, doors, and the roof. This sounds simple, and building envelope issues are fairly easy to spot.

Building Envelope Types & Problems:

• Stucco, or Synthetic Stucco: The biggest problems with stucco, or synthetic stucco in newer US residential real estate is cracking, that allows for water to enter the home, or condominium. If the contractor failed to properly install sealant joints around the windows, properly use flashing around the doors, or windows, failed to install an inadequate base coat around the corners, or failed to install expansion joints  this type of building envelope, or siding system will fail, with the result being mold, and damage to the wood framing. We have seen these specific types of problems in subdivisions, or condominiums especially in California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, and Mississippi.
   
• Wood Siding, or Engineered Wood Siding: As long as it is installed, and maintained properly natural wood siding is typically problem free. However, engineered wood sidings are made from various combinations of wood veneers, fibers or flakes, bound together with glues, resins, and/or waxes. Plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and hardboard are basic engineered wood siding materials. Several different types and brands of engineered wood siding have experienced moisture-related failures due to product or installation defects, or improper maintenance. We have seen widespread problems with engineered wood siding in subdivisions, and condominiums in California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Maryland, and Alaska.

If you live in a newer US subdivision, town home, or condominium project and you are suffering from water leaks, you have visually seen cracks in stucco, or synthetic stucco siding, and or if you are seeing black, or green mold growing, and or what appears to be bloated wood siding on your home please call the Construction Defect Center immediately at 866-714-6466.

 

  National Advocacy Group for Consumer Protection and Corporate Fair Play
www.AmericasWatchdog.com

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