All-Weather Siding Installation Kit for Problematic Cold Walls
Okay, I've taken a look at the Reddit discussion.
Product/Service Opportunity Analysis:
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Identified Need: The user is looking to replace siding on a particularly cold side of their house that tends to accumulate ice. Comments highlight the failure of existing materials and emphasize the importance of proper installation techniques, such as flashing and air gaps, to prevent future issues in these harsh exposure areas. Users are seeking durable material options (like Hardie or PVC) and advice on correct installation.
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Specific Product/Service Suggestion: "Harsh Exposure Siding Renovation Kit"
- Description: This all-in-one kit is designed for homeowners or DIYers who need to replace siding on challenging, weather-prone areas of their house, such as north-facing walls or areas with significant ice/snow buildup and poor sun exposure.
- Kit Components:
- Durable Siding Panels: Pre-cut sections of highly weather-resistant materials like fiber cement (e.g., HardiePlank) or high-grade cellular PVC panels, known for their moisture and impact resistance.
- Specialized Flashing System: Includes pre-formed kick-out flashing, step flashing, corner flashing, and z-flashing designed to create and maintain necessary gaps and effectively direct water away, especially at roof-to-wall intersections and around penetrations.
- Rainscreen Spacers/Furring Strips: Pre-cut, durable spacers (e.g., composite or pressure-treated wood) to ensure an adequate air gap (e.g., 3/8" to 3/4") behind the siding for drainage and ventilation, which is crucial in preventing moisture buildup and ice dam-related damage.
- Appropriate Fasteners: Corrosion-resistant screws or nails suitable for the chosen siding material and substrate.
- High-Quality Sealant: Exterior-grade, flexible sealant specifically designed for siding applications in variable temperatures.
- Detailed, Illustrated Installation Guide: A step-by-step guide focusing on best practices for harsh exposure areas, including:
- Proper flashing techniques for roof-to-wall intersections (emphasizing the "couple inches above" rule).
- Creating and maintaining the rainscreen air gap.
- Correct fastening patterns.
- Sealing joints and penetrations effectively.
- Highlighting common failure points in cold/icy conditions and how to avoid them.
- Target Audience: DIY homeowners, handymen, or small contractors looking for a comprehensive solution for challenging siding projects.
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Expected Benefits & Value Proposition:
- For the User:
- Simplified Material Selection: Takes the guesswork out by providing proven, durable materials suited for harsh conditions.
- Ensured Proper Installation: The specialized components (flashing, spacers) and targeted guide significantly reduce the risk of installation errors that lead to premature failure, water damage, and ice buildup issues.
- Long-Term Durability & Protection: A correctly installed system using these materials will offer superior protection against weather, reducing future repair costs and enhancing the home's structural integrity.
- Improved Home Comfort/Efficiency (Potential): A properly installed rainscreen system can contribute to better wall drying, potentially improving the effectiveness of existing insulation.
- Increased Confidence: Empowers homeowners to tackle a complex problem with a higher chance of success.
- For the Business (Kit Provider):
- Addresses a Niche but Critical Need: Many homeowners face issues with specific problem areas on their homes.
- Higher Perceived Value: An all-in-one, problem-solving kit can command a premium price compared to individual components.
- Reduced Returns/Complaints: By promoting correct installation, issues related to material failure due to improper application are minimized.
- Strong Market Positioning: Becomes the go-to solution for "problem wall" siding repairs.
- Potential for Upselling: Could offer different tiers of kits (e.g., basic, premium materials) or add-on tools.
- For the User:
This kit directly addresses the user's explicit need for new siding and implicitly tackles the underlying concerns about material durability and correct installation techniques, which are crucial for the described "cold side" of the house.
Origin Reddit Post
r/diy
Should I replace with wood or hardie board?
Posted by u/tuffdangerous•05/28/2025
Planning on painting the house later in the summer.
Need to address this siding first. It’s the “cold” side of the house that doesn’t see much sun and ice seems to build up there in the winte
Top Comments
u/QuikWitt
You’re gonna DIY this? That pitch is scary AF. Make sure you are safe. Saving the money may not be worth it.
ETA - you could use PVC trim with hardi butting to the trim. That way most of the
u/Anal_Recidivist
The flashing (called L flashing) should be behind the siding. Your comment makes me think you want it on the outside
u/MrMcKleen
Hardieboard with flashing and a larger gap.
u/Mr_Festus
We all make mistakes, man...
u/disposeable1200
...recovering architect?
u/decaturbob
Is it real rot or just algae and dirt?
u/MrMcKleen
Hardieboard with flashing and a larger gap.
u/0nSecondThought
You mean step flashing
u/BluesEyed
I’d use pvc there. Neither wood or hardy will hold up.
u/duderguy91
What are you doing step flashing!?
u/freerangemary
Always Hardie Board.
I’m a recovering Architect, and as much as I love wood, it’s not for the masses. That’s a bad elevation, and it’s likely on the north side.
If you go with wood, do be
u/freerangemary
Always Hardie Board.
I’m a recovering Architect, and as much as I love wood, it’s not for the masses. That’s a bad elevation, and it’s likely on the north side.
If you go with wood, do be
u/Why-am-I-here-anyway
As mentioned - a MINIMUM 2" gap is needed regardless of the siding. See all that debris caught between the siding and the roofing? That should wash itself clean any time it rains hard. The
u/ImSadness
You could cut back the wood from the roof about 2 inches and install flashing. Then power wash the wall. I don't think it's in bad shape to replace yet.
u/blackhawk905
Some of the architects my company deals with need to follow in his footsteps, good lordy
u/joelyrolypoly
Not on outside lol. Flashing in corner, then siding
u/Mud_Butt_JKU
Hardie will call for a minimum 2" clearance roof-to-wall and a kick out flashing.
u/0_SomethingStupid
As a practicing architect this advice is trash. Hardiboard is in no way longer lasting than wood siding. You are out of your mind. Would avoid hardiboard given the condition of ice build up h
u/Orpheus75
Burn him anyway!
u/TyrosineJim
He got better
u/joelyrolypoly
Whatever you use, it shouldnt be tight to the roofing. There should be flashing in the corner and siding starting a couple inches above
u/Synth_Ham
He's the reason that both small rocks and churches float.
u/elcroquistador
Agreed, the cut ends here are not durable, even if they’re thoughtfully primed after cutting. In our cases the flashing holds up well and keeps the sheathing in good shape but the splashback
u/False-Impression8102
Uh…you know I’m always flashing. It’s in my nature.
u/WLeeHubbard
Yes Hardie is great, however be sure to check the install doc, you are not supposed to install Hardie within 2” of the roof. You can uses PVC trim board there with flashing so you can keep it
u/TwentyOneTimesTwo
And if it's a wood-based product, the lower edge should be coated with a thin layer of something like Dynaflex 230 before painting. Snow can sit there easily up against the lower edge. Unse
u/Magnusg
I think the main point is add the gap
u/joelyrolypoly
Whatever you use, it shouldnt be tight to the roofing. There should be flashing in the corner and siding starting a couple inches above
u/Tistanal
This siding would have been fine if it had been flashed and cutback from the roofing appropriately. If you’re going to replace the siding, I’d pull it all off, do the flashing and replace wit