What Are the Different Styles of Masonite Siding?

Hardboard Siding

• Hardboard siding products are made from compressed resins, wood and wax. The manufacturing process occurs through the consolidation and pressing together of the materials under pressure and heat. The hardboard siding can be purchased in laps or planks and panels and assembled in various horizontal and vertical profiles. Hardboard siding is designed for use on residential structures such as homes, sheds and additions.

Masonite Traditional Lap

• Just like traditional clapboard or lap siding made from wood, Masonite lap siding is installed horizontally as individual boards from the bottom to the top of the structure. In this type of installation a first board is placed near the bottom of the house facade and each subsequent board overlaps the last board by about a half inch. Masonite clapboard siding is treated as if it were wood such that each board is measured, cut and applied to the house separately instead of purchased and applied as a larger panel with a pressed clapboard profile. Masonite siding lap, or plank, can be found in widths between 4 and 12 inches, a thickness of 7/16 or 1/2 inch and lengths of up to 16 feet. Various edge details include beveled, square, straight edge and shiplap.

Board and Batten

• Board and batten style Masonite siding is a 4 foot wide by 9 foot high panel. The panels are installed vertically on the house and some panels may be scored to give the appearance of smaller width boards instead of four foot panels. Installation occurs by nailing each panel in place, side by side, which is a much easier installation compared to individually placed horizontal, clapboard planks. However, damage to a vertical panel requires the replacement of the whole panel. In comparison, clapboard Masonite siding allows for replacement of damaged boards only, which is a much less expensive repair.

Masonite Siding Finishes

• Masonite siding can be found in finishes that resemble traditional wood siding. Finish details include a smooth, milled board or a rustic wood grain finish in a prestained, primed or prepainted condition. The siding can be painted in any color exterior latex paint. Replacing part of a Masonite siding installation may require matching the newer product to the original paint finish or repainting all of the siding to obtain a uniform color.