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 Mobile ViewEXTERIORS of buildings AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID Architectural Styles - Illustrated Guide Architecture Dictionary of buildings, Components Building Age & Architectural Style Chimney Architectural Styles - Photo Guide KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others Mobile Homes, Modulars, Panelized, & Factory-Built Roofs & Architectural Styles - Photo Guide Roof Dormer Types - Photo Guide Siding, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide Window Types - Photo Guide ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING DUST ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE BARK SIDE DOWN on DECKS, TRIM, STEPS BASEMENT WATERPROOFING BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES BOOKSTORE - EXTERIORS CAULK GUN TYPES, CHOICES CAULKS & SEALANTS, EXTERIOR CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR CATCH BASINS DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION DECK COLLAPSE Case Study DECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVES DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study DEFINITIONS of ENGINEERED WOOD OSB LVL etc DRYWELLS, FRENCH DRAINS for FLAT SITES EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY EXTERIOR WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CAULK GUN TYPES, CHOICES CAULKS & SEALANTS, EXTERIOR FIBER CEMENT SIDING FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK FLASHING for METAL ROOFS FLASHING ROOF-WALL SNAFU FLASHING WALL DETAILS GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS HOUSEWRAP PRODUCT CHOICES HOUSEWRAP at SILLS, SOLES, TOP PLATES LOG HOME GUIDE PAINT / STAIN SELECTION & PROCEDURES RAIN SPLASH-UP SIDING DAMAGE SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide SIDING, ALUMINUM SIDING, ASBESTOS CEMENT SHINGLES SIDING ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES on WALLS SIDING ASPHALT SHINGLE or SHEET SIDING DAMAGE by SPLASHBACK SIDING EIFS & STUCCO SIDING, FIBER CEMENT SIDING HARDBOARD SIDING, LOG SIDING STEEL SIDING VINYL SIDING, WOOD PRODUCT CHOICES SIDING, WOOD INSTALLATION SIDING WOOD, FAILURES OVER FOAM BOARD SIDING WOOD, FLASHING DETAILS SIDING WOOD SHINGLE INSTALLATION STONE CLEANING METHODS STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION TRIM, EXTERIOR CHOICES, INSTALLATION VINYL SIDING INSTALLATION WOOD SHINGLE INSTALLATION WOOD SIDING PRODUCT CHOICES WOOD SIDING INSTALLATION WOOD SIDING FLASHING DETAILS WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK FLASHING for METAL ROOFS FLASHING ROOF WALL DETAILS FLASHING ROOF-WALL SNAFU FLASHING SIDING DETAILS FLASHING WALL DETAILS FLASHING WOOD ROOF DETAILS FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING FRENCH DRAINS GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION GRADING & SITE WORK, EXTERIOR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONS HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET ICE DAM PREVENTION INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEAD TEST KIT for HOME USE LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION LOG HOME GUIDE LIGHTNING PROTECTION MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE PAINT ANALYSIS, DIAGNOSTIC USES PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION PORCHES & Sunrooms PORCH CONSTRUCTION & SCREENING RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH RAILINGS, STAIRWAY RETAINING WALL DESIGNS, TYPES, DAMAGE RETAINING WALL GUARD RAILINGS ROOF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES - PHOTO GUIDE ROOF CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS ROOF DORMER TYPES - PHOTO GUIDE ROOFING DIAGNOSIS INSPECTION & REPAIR ALGAE STAINS ON ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES Wind Damage to Roofs ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES ROT, TIMBER FRAME SEARS KIT HOUSES SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR SHEATHING, Gypsum board SHEATHING Homasote & Other Board SHEATHING, OSB SHEATHING, Plywood SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide SIDING, ALUMINUM SIDING, ASBESTOS CEMENT SHINGLES SIDING ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES on WALLS SIDING ASPHALT SHINGLE or SHEET SIDING DAMAGE by SPLASHBACK SIDING EIFS & STUCCO SIDING, FIBER CEMENT SIDING HARDBOARD SIDING STEEL SIDING VINYL VINYL SIDING INSPECTION & REPAIR VINYL SIDING INSTALLATION VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO SIDING, WOOD PRODUCT CHOICES SIDING, WOOD INSTALLATION SIDING WOOD, FAILURES OVER FOAM BOARD SIDING WOOD, FLASHING DETAILS SIDING WOOD SHINGLE INSTALLATION SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS SOUND CONTROL in buildings STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STONE CLEANING METHODS STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION STUCCO PAINT FAILURES SURFACE GRADING, SITE DRAINAGE TERMITES, ROT THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS THERMAL MASS in buildings TREES & SHRUBS, TRIM OFF BUILDING TRIM, EXTERIOR CHOICES, INSTALLATION VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS CRAWL SPACE VAPOR BARRIER DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE FELT 15# ROOFING, as HOUSEWRAP/VAPOR BARRIER HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS HOUSEWRAP PRODUCT CHOICES HOUSEWRAP at SILLS, SOLES, TOP PLATES HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET MOISTURE CONTROL in buildings RAIN SPLASH-UP SIDING DAMAGE VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR WOOD SIDING FLASHING DETAILS VENTILATION in buildings WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING WATER ENTRY in buildings WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING WINDOWS & DOORS ALUMINUM WINDOWS Best Practices Guide for Windows & Doors: CLIMATE, WINDOW CHOICES FOR CONDENSATION on WINDOWS & SKYLIGHTS Doors, Exterior, Energy Efficiency Guide Doors, Exterior Flashing Details Doors, Exterior, Frames DOORS, EXTERIOR, Selecting & Installing DOORS, INTERIOR FIBERGLASS WINDOWS GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss HURRICANE, WIND, & STORM-Resistant WINDOWS LOW-E WINDOW GLAZING LOW-E VS QUAD-GLAZING LOW-E RETROFIT ADD-ON FILMS POLYCARBONATE GLAZING SITE BUILT DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS SKYLIGHTS, Guide to Choosing & Installing Skylight Condensation Problems Skylight Window Design Issues Skylight Energy Efficiency Skylight Installation Procedures SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR SKYLIGHT VENTILATION DETAILS SLIDING GLIDING WINDOW DEFECTS SLOPED GLAZING DETAILS STORM WINDOW INTERIOR STORM WINDOW PLASTIC CHOICES STORM WINDOW WEEP HOLES SUNGAIN, FILMS, LOW-E GLASS SUNSPACE GLAZING for SUNTANNING VERTICAL GLAZING DETAILS VINYL WINDOWS VINYL / PVC WINDOW WARPING WINDOW / DOOR ENERGY EFFICIENT, DOE WINDOW / DOOR AIR LEAK SEALING HOW TO Window Certification WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings Window Flashing & Sealing Guide WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS Window Installation, Flange-Type Window Installation, w/ Integral Brickmold WINDOW LEAKS INTO BASEMENT Window Materials & Construction Window Types, Guide WINDOW TYPES - Photo Guide Window & Door Sources WINTERIZE A BUILDING MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS of MOLD EXPOSURE NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR More Information |
This article discusses the identification, history, and common defects observed in aluminum exterior building siding, such as weathering, paint loss, dents, and questions about the need for a vapor barrier behind asphalt siding and over building sheathing. InspectAPedia offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.Included are comments from several recognized building inspection and construction authorities. Our page top photograph shows 1960's vintage (wideboard) aluminum building siding installed over peeling deteriorated wood claboards on a pre-1900 home in Poughkeepsie, NY. Readers should also see Siding, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Aluminum Siding History, Defects, Vapor Barriers, Inspection, and DiagnosisAluminum siding (photo, 1960's, showing siding installed over peeling painted clapboard, siding backer board details). Aluminum & steel building siding - popular in the U.S. 1940's - 1970's. Because of the large amounts of energy used to produce aluminum siding and increasing raw materials costs, aluminum siding declined in popularity in the U.S. in the 1970's. Aluminum siding, produced from aluminum coil stock and painted in a wide variety of colors, provided a durable exterior building cladding that resisted rust and rot. Aluminum siding in its earlier forms was typically produced in a (roughly) 6" wide clapboard stock, installed with a fiberboard backer to resist denting in some cases. By the 1970's a narrow-width aluminum siding "board" stock was in popular use in both smooth surface forms and in embossed designs resembling wood. Identifying Aluminum Building SidingIt's easy to distinguish between aluminum siding and vinyl siding products by careful visual inspection of the material edges or by observation of dents (aluminum) versus breaks or impact damage (vinyl). But to distinguish between aluminum siding and it's steel lookalike you may need a magnet (or you might see rust). Aluminum Siding Inspection, Defects, & Maintenance SuggestionsPaint loss on aluminum sidingWatch out: some versions of aluminum siding (especially from the 1960's) included a paint coating that weathered, chalked, and even washed off entirely, leaving a bare aluminum surface (photo below left). The painted coating on some aluminum siding can also be "pulled" off of aluminum siding by some fungal growths (artillery fungus) and by vines (photo below right).
Building siding in ground contact
Don't install any building siding down in contact with the soil or below the soil level (below left) - doing so is inviting a hidden termite or carpenter attack. On occasion we have inspected a building whose bottom course of siding was bulged outwards. Knowing that it would have been virtually impossible to install the siding in that form, a good guess is that the building sills and or lower walls have been damaged by rot or insect pests. Our siding photo at below left shows a roof gutter downspout spilling right by the aluminum siding that has been buried below ground level. Adding water increases the risk of hidden insect or rot damage. This often hidden condition and the need for possibly costly building repairs can be verified by interior inspection or by removing some exterior siding at the wall bottom. This is not a defect peculiar to aluminum, vinyl, or other siding products - you can make this mistake with any wall cladding. Comparing Aluminum Siding Wide and Narrow WidthsOur aluminum siding photo (below right) provides a closeup of 1960's vintage aluminum siding that is losing its paint coating. The right hand photo shows a nice algae growth on this shaded, aluminum-sided building wall that was covered with a narrow-gauge wood-pattern embossed aluminum siding product in the 1980's.
Cleaning or Painting Aluminum Siding
Steel Building SidingSteel building siding was sold based on advantages similar to aluminumsiding (see Aluminum siding) but with disadvantages of heavier weight, more difficult to install (harder to cut and trim), and vulnerable torust. Steel siding was never as popular in NorthAmerica as aluminum nor its later replacement - vinyl. Photos and notes on steel siding are wanted - CONTACT US. Questions & Answers regarding this articleQuestions & answers about aluminum siding on buildings Ask a Question or Search InspectAPediaHTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
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