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Improving the performance of painted wood siding : rain screen, end-grain seal, and back priming

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Moisture control is a critical means of improving the performance of solid-color stain and paint on wood siding. In this article, recommendations are given for constructing a rain screen, sealing the end grain, and back-priming siding to achieve this goal. Rain screen con­struction and back priming inhibit water absorption and bleed from run-down extractives if water gets behind the siding. Inhibiting water absorption improves dimensional stability of siding, thus improving finish performance. Sealing the end grain with primer decreases paint peeling and bleeding of diffuse extractives near the end of boards. These techniques should be used in combination with structure designs having adequate roof overhangs, ground clear­ance to bottom course of siding, roof-edge flashing, gutters, and downspouts.

Keywords

Siding, performance standards, building materials, service life, weathering, paint, deterioration, moisture, primers, absorption, coatings, finishes, finishing, testing, wood siding, exposure tests, durability, decay, ICC-ES AC38, moisture content, edge sealing, rain screens, moisture control, dimensional stability

Citation

Burke, Edward; Bonura, Tony; Carll, Charles G.; Connelly, Dennis; Hunt, Christopher; Mall, Doug; Nebelsick, Arnie; Slavik, Norm; Stuart, Brent; Wiedenhoeft, Alex; Williams, R. Sam. 2009. Improving the performance of painted wood siding : rain screen, end-grain seal, and back priming. JCT CoatingsTech. Vol. 6, no. 4: pages 36-39.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/34288