boral siding pros and cons

Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. To say it doesnt rust, is technically not accurate, as copper does oxidize, but the way in which it changes over time is part of its allure as a siding. On average, you can expect to pay between $10.50 and $17.50 per square foot of traditional fiber cement lap siding installed. We know that Boral is made of poly ash, an inorganic material. good return on investment (ROI) or cost-to-value return, Disadvantages of Wood and Engineered Wood Siding, requires ongoing maintenance (adding to overall investment cost) The basic process is underlayment material, covered by metal lath, coated with scratch coat of grout, and then a coat on top of that which the stone is set. Factory-finished fiber cement can be as rich as natural wood. Suffice it to say, the R-value for natural stone veneer could be as high as 5.0 (R-value), which makes it among the top in terms of insulation qualities, but also likely the most expensive siding option if going this route. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Not all sidings work well on direct grounds contract. Including installation, concrete tiles cost $4 to $20 per square foot. Vinyl siding is one of the most popular siding materials today. low maintenance / wont rot Made from sand, cement and lime, Stucco is really a plaster. Another plus point is that the material is not flammable. 1. An 8 inch wide panel costs about the same as a double 5 inch panel which is really 10 inches wide, and has 2 boards on each panel. 1. Longer-lasting options tend to range higher, between $11,000 and $14,000. Fiber cement siding. TruExterior is the only siding and trim product made with this innovative material, which delivers the best of both worlds: the authentic look of wood alongside high performance to stand up to rot and insects. This photo shows the unpainted product. Traditionally, the two were differentiated by how they were cut. Boral, Metro, and Gerard stone-coated steel roofing cost $7.50 to $14.50 per square foot, including installation. poor insulation (with single coat) Vinyl siding is typically considerably less expensive than other siding options. A fair amount of travel was required and expenses were paid by the company. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. installed. Was this review helpful? Not too long ago, construction jobs used to have large rock or boulders delivered on site to be used and cut into shapes that the crew needed at the time. List of the Cons of LP Smart Siding. When it comes to color, like Wood, there really is no limit in the sub-options. Think of cabins that have horizontal white stripes between the logs. You can check if someone would mill down the Boral trim into whatever siding flavor you desire. It does not require any end-sealing. Rainwater tends to run off from zinc better than other metals, which means it has more resistance to mold and fungus. low maintenance It can be flat, as is case with mosaic and cubed patterns. So, you can cut huge costs by using this siding. Sometimes, it shrinks and creates gaps.2. There is a lot of variation for stone that is often overlooked when first considering the material but take a look at the bottom (two thirds) of this article from This Old House site for a sampling of patterns and texture. It measures about 2 in high, by 4 inches thick and 8 inches long. If picturing stucco in your head and thinking it has few or limited options, then you are barely scratching the surface (pun intended). Steel averages about $5-8 per square foot. Stucco uses cement, whereas gypsum plaster is the base for interior use. Thirdly, take all the preparation to install this siding. With installation of thin brick, the material itself is around .11 R-Value. It is made from a mixer of exploded wood fibers, resin, and glue, That has been highly compressed (about 65 pounds per cubic foot) at high heat. With any of the non-metallic forms of siding, i.e., shingles or board-and-batten, realize that whatever the metal is, it can be shaped into this form. Stone, theres theoretically no limit to the color, but manufacturers are intentionally looking to match the natural variety and not likely to produce say purple or pink stones. It will cost between $21,000 to $37,000 to install standard stucco siding on an average sized home. The better the insulating properties of your siding, the more energy-efficient your home will be. Homes constructed with brick use 2 layers, called wythes. Many consider blemishes to be unsightly or a distraction, while others see it as mark of authentic wood. Moisture Problems. I contacted the TruExterior/Boral/Westlake and wrestled with them for six months. It is sometimes referenced generically as cement board. While that is broad, it covers color dashing, texture variations and then what is referenced as pebbledash (or roughcasting). excellent ROI, more difficult to repair than other materials, takes great skill, thus costly Low Maintenance Very durable higher installation costs For hollow-back vinyl, the price range can be as low as $7.50 to $9.50 per sq.ft. There are commercial-grade fiber cement sidings that withstand up to 4549 Pa. Vinyl siding can pose serious moisture risks. Here are some reasons why people often decide metal shingles are the best for their project. Vinyl is doing it on and below the surface, such that when the color fades from the surface, the entire facade fades in a uniform, virtually non-discernible way. It comes in two style optionshorizontal and vertical, though it's available in a wide variety of colors, textures, and edge selections. For the most part, all are available . Just realize that mistakes may be costly and may lead to issues down the road that a novice may not realize during the application process. Yet, the surface texture may be manipulated to give the appearance of a shake. With brick veneer, it is on the outside of the structure, either as thin brick (not recommended) or full brick, but single layer. Pros and cons; FAQs; Tips for hiring; Stone-coated steel roofing cost. With vinyl siding, the two primary options we focus on, deal with the thickness of the panel and whether the panel is insulated, which greatly impacts its insulation properties. Though a disadvantage, at least over the previous two, is that it doesnt drain water away from the home as well. So, with stone, there is really no reason to update the color down the road. Labor would be extra. Sub-options within this style deal with surface and thickness. Primary Option 2: Brick Veneer Thin Brick. Asphalt shingle roofing costs $2,000 to $10,000 for installation and materials. Finally comes the one, or more (usually up to 3) coats of stucco. The ROI (cost-to-value return) for architectural metal roofing and wall cladding can exceed 80%. Generally, they are dark red (clay like) or lighter cream colored. Like Brick, there are paneling systems that make it possible to purchase pre-stacked stone siding that isnt all that challenging to put up as a facade. natural wood is relatively expensive just for material, not for labor though From the curb, bevel and clapboard look identical. I would paint the garage doors the same color as the siding color you choose - it "anchors" the house. Horizontal boards, really lap siding, is the most popular style for vinyl siding. Its either fairly costly or takes a non-pro a long time to install siding for even a small home (at least to do it right). Pine and Cedar are the common grains for split-log siding. Alside vinyl siding can be a fantastic solution for your home, if you want an abundance of attractive options at a fair price. The R-Value for non-insulated steel/aluminum is .61 (R-value), which is less than Wood, but more than Brick. Though denser also means less malleable. For the averaged-sized home (2,000 sq.ft. TruExterior Siding & Trim come pre-primed so you can create the look you want. It is possible to add foam siding, akin to what vinyl offers, which obviously adds to the cost. In plain English, this is a job for experts. Metal has a very wide range of prices that can fall anywhere from $7.50 to $25.00 per square foot installed, depending on the style of metal cladding, the metal alloy itself, and overall project complexity. As many of the retail home improvement stores do carry metal paneling, it is possible to go the DIY route, though this is usually for shed siding or roofing. It can be shaped into any style listed so far. Vinyl is the #1 material in the US. Reaction to metal fastenings bleeding for instance. Youll get some ideas by going through the table.Pros of Boral SidingCons of Boral Siding1. But, looking at the materials for siding is just scratching the surface! Newer coatings prevent much of the chalking that was problematic for earlier generations of aluminum siding. Going through all the possible combinations is not possible. Full brick as a veneer is labor intensive and definitely takes skill to install. fire resistant As a result, carpenter ants, wood-boring bees, termites, or other insects do not find any food. Redwood or pine may also be grains used with these styles. TruExterior products come pre-primed and do require paint. Pros and Cons The appeal of aluminum and steel siding is that it is easier to maintain than wood siding and is more durable than most vinyl. This doesnt mean aluminum cant do coated finishes, but instead means that if say a few years go by and a panel or piece of siding needs replacing for any reason, it might be very challenging to find a color that matches with the rest of the facade, whereas with steel the color will hold longer over time. In that case, Hi. The pattern is usually done in a uniform way, to convey a sense of craftsmanship. good ROI The greater the projection, the more it looks like bevel wood siding from a distance, and the more natural shadows appear under each horizontal board.. If looking to obtain metal panels or sheets for siding materials from your local DIY type store, or even many places that wholesale metal siding, chances are they only carry steel or aluminum siding. Within a year, the product started to warp profoundly under certain atmospheric conditions. So, you wont have to worry about moistures when you have Boral sidings on. ft. for this siding. TruExterior -. It is an engineered wood product, Hardboard is used extensively in home construction, siding, and furniture. As you can guess, the cost of materials and installation have gone up by double digits compared to previous year due to supply chain issues and rampant inflation. As explained in our section on wood, theres a difference between (wood) shake and shingles based on how it was traditionally cut. Researching Insulated Vinyl Siding? Some people like to sleep there and have long conversations. It used to be fake was readily discernible from natural, but not anymore. Much of what is said about Steel (above) can be said, in contrast, to Aluminum. What Are Vinyl Wrap and Aluminum Coil Wrap? While not even getting into paint colors or staining, you can see bevel has numerous sub-options. 3. Colors like all other lap board siding are plentiful, though the material will outlast the coat of paint. On average, natural wood siding costs between $10.50 to $17.50 per square of natural wood siding installed, depending on the project scope and complexity, trim options, and your homes location. 3. This means it is unlikely youd need to repaint it before the warranty, or if you did, the warranty would cover it. Mother Nature has options that are nearly white or light in color to very dark. So, today we go with half logs, or smaller, to get the exterior appearance. Although, this is not a recommended option. In our final section Unleashing Your Imagination (below) we mention combinations and siding. Roofing/Construction Questions. fairly low maintenance For many stone veneer facades, color is generally not sought to be uniform and variation in color on cladding is thought to be more authentic, if not more beautiful. Pricing for the installation on the entire house will have a fairly wide range, but this is usually due to your homes region and local real estate values, as well as normal variations (that can be quite wild) in pricing among different contractors in your area. If factory finished, paint warranty will go 25 years. Clear grades, or architects grade, are considered premium quality. The corrugated (wavy) metal paneling products work well for sheds, and possibly for roofing, and even for interior application. The Faux is cast from molds of natural stone, so it has same authentic shape. The only limitations are your imagination. A relatively new product, Boral TruExterior Trim, use fly-ash, a byproduct of coal burning, rather than cement as its core ingredient. If the metal is factory-finished with coated paint and sealers, this usually carries with it a warranty, of 20 to 30 years. Among different types of sidings, Vinyl ones last the longest. insect resistant Continue with Recommended Cookies. Stone-coated steel roofing costs $7 to $13 per square foot installed or$12,200 to $25,900 on average. This. eco-friendly How that surface appears indicates another sub-option dealing with grade. Because of how this style is installed (rather simple), it is perhaps the easiest to maintain and to repair. There are a few sub-options here where paneling systems are used vs. the quasi-masonry approach. Whether you're putting a roof on a new home, or your existing roof requires a total makeover, there are many materials available. Neither of these estimates included the added cost of installation, which can be high for such a labor-intensive material. The R-value for MSV is listed at .41 (R-value). They provide a few variations boasting superior structural integrity and patented technology. Because this is cement, the installation process depends on timing and thus experience to know the proper pacing for how it all needs to be applied. Plus, there is the texture of the stone itself and/or the way cuts are made in the stone. Your email address will not be published. You must be careful while moving this siding. Like most siding projects, installation starts with a house wrap, that depending on builders preference may vary in thickness to help with insulation. The most common stones used are granite and limestone, but this is where sub-options begin to take shape for this siding. Boral siding will protect your house from moisture, be it the midsummer rain or all-day snowing. Not so challenging in a little 4 by 4-foot space. 60 Ratings. Also called T1-11 siding, plywood panels are by far the easiest to install. It can resist bugs, rots, and decays.2. installed, depending on the panel profile and manufacturer. And then there are thicker boards (shake) that have both sides cut roughly or one side smooth the other face rough. Primary Option 1: Brick Veneer Full Brick. It might be because of some manufacturing defects. Thank you very much! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. But some of that is tailored to interior purposes and is not recommended as ideal choice for exterior siding. may have moisture build up below the surface, due to improper installation The caveat of wood siding is that it requires routine and ongoing maintenance. Or it may be significantly protruding, such as with stacked options, especially those using round stones. Yet, moisture control that will inevitably occur below the stone must be taken into consideration, or there could be problems down the road. It won't burn, and it resists insects. Stone veneer advantages: Creates the look of natural beauty on any exterior Rich spectrum of profiles and colors Lightweight design makes installation easier and does not require footing support 30+ years of durable home protection TruExterior's Boral Siding is an incredibly versatile and wood-like exterior siding and trim option. Painted finishes protect wood from weathering, fungus, and insect infestation. People love this product and install them in their houses because of its excellent features and benefits. Yet often youll see stone cladding installed near the front of a home to accent a particular feature. The pine exterior has been known to last as long as 20 years. With a coat of primer, wood can be transformed into every conceivable color, so sub-options galore. decent insulation (with multiple coats) Homes with all stone veneer exist, and thus realize the full benefit that comes with the advantages noted above. What about durability? For the purposes of this guide, the 4 options we will consider are the most common metals used as cladding for residential structures. The other styles of fiber cement such as simulated shakes will likely exceed $13.00 per sq. Depending on quality, vinyl pricing ranges from $2 to $7 per square foot installed. With Stone, that is likely only possible if a) you do combination of stone and another material or b) going the DIY route, which means a lot of (hard) work for the person going that route. Those numbers may appear odd, but the range is about 1/32nd of an inch to 1/16th of an inch. The home has been completed for over two years now and no problems have been reported. Color is generally limited to what is natural to rock. colors last fairly long, texture last very long Shingle/shake and split log have higher R-values, being that they are applications thicker than one inch. And then there is the cut of each piece, which likely depends on the overall project design. The bevel siding was a natural fit in the market, filling what might be considered the premium niche when it comes to weather-resistant siding options. Learn how your comment data is processed. of siding. Metal panels with holders mean scratch grout is not needed and installing bricks to the wall is easier. Hello, . MPA October 30, 2019, . Boral. This difference amounts to thousands of dollars! Being made of innovative Poly-Ash technology, this robust yet beautiful siding has won many hearts. Beyond that, it is a matter of subjective choice. They refused to honor their warranty. This depends on location of the property as stucco is quite popular in some regions and rare in others. Zinc is the dark horse in the bunch but is definitely a material to consider as a viable option. It also adds significantly to the cost, though surprisingly, hollow back has the higher ROI in terms of cost-to-value return at resale. If you really want to spend some dough and look cool, get Longboard aluminum. tends to last less time in climates with lots of rain. Copper is very durable. The benefits of chinking it gives a more authentic split-log appearance and adds layer of protection from wind or other things (i.e., animals) that may try to penetrate gaps. Installing fiber cement siding is a very labor-intensive process requiring a two-person team to carry each fiber cement board during the installation, which is reflected in the total cost of the job. Other siding options cant readily say this and are usually hauled away as trash for a landfill, while metal is hauled away knowing that it is scrap which will likely be recycled. However, here are some cons of Boral siding. Some companies give a warranty of 20 to 30 years. Siding is a durable material that adheres to the exterior side of a home. See costs in your area. Because stucco is all about texture, the sub-options are somewhat basic. Across the US, LP Smart siding costs 25-35% less than James Hardie. Length is more of a construction consideration than style. Lance Miller. Repainting or re-coating the aluminum facade becomes can become a part of ongoing maintenance to overcome any oxidation once the initial paint finish wears out. Easier said than done, but really is one of the easiest materials to work with. Perfect for all types of weather. Given the low maintenance and substantial warranty, this is considered very budget friendly. The main options relate to how the material is installed, such as: bevel, shingles, board-and-batten, and split-log. We know that Boral is made of poly ash, an inorganic material. Though as youll see below in our Stucco category, this is barely scratching the surface of the options in that style. As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases. Already, you can probably spot the potential problem. Our current cement siding (Hardie) is affected badly where any splashing occurs. For the bevel variety, they are intended to closely resemble wood. The $12.50 to $15.50 per sq.ft. great ROI Fiber cement continues to be a premium siding option that is relatively affordable, compared to the other products that rely on masonry type work. You can expect vinyl sidings to last about 50 to 60 years. Brick siding has an R-Value of 0.44, which is slightly better than fiber cement siding at 0.37. A home built with brick, during construction, is actually what is holding up the homes structure. Boral Building Products' proprietary poly-ash material combines polymers and fly ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. Unlike paint, staining is intended to bring out the natural beauty of wood, by accentuating the grains typical features. -Fasten each piece of TruExterior Siding at the tongue and on the face no less than 3/4 from the edge and no more than 12 along the length of both sides of the siding . My experts tell me the Boral just lacks the rigidity of a HardieBoard product and warps in harsh sunlight. ft. Why the wide range? With aluminum, it tends to be the least expensive metal material. Then, there are numerous ways in which the corrugation pattern appears, such as wavy, ribbed, or beamed. Still, like all materials it has disadvantages, which well get to, but lets cover the basics. Sounds simple enough, until you realize there are numerous sub-options for how the wood is cut and thus shaped to form each plank. With regular maintenance every decade, wood can last 50+ years. Brick, like Stucco, could be considered in the Stone category below, but it has enough reasons to stay on its own, not the least of which is that brick is really fired clay that is the primary material. Easier to install than most, if not all, other materials, less expensive and lower maintenance than natural wood There are very few. Take love :). Here in the cement board category, theyre synonymous. In most regions $11.50 to $14.50 per sq.ft. fairly labor intensive to install, usually need expertise or much experience with the material. Among them, engineered wood is the most durable exterior siding. 2. However, the thickness of a panel does make a difference in its durability and makes 24 gauge metal roofing a better choice in harsher climates. Boral siding length is more of a shake to worry about moistures when you have Boral sidings.. About 2 in high, by accentuating the grains typical features plentiful, the. Is.61 ( R-Value ), looking at the materials for siding is just scratching the surface,. In some regions and rare in others 3 ) coats of stucco is slightly than! Longboard aluminum intended to closely resemble wood the overall project design material will outlast coat! Traditional fiber cement such as simulated shakes will likely exceed $ 13.00 per sq because stucco is all texture... ( rather simple ), which can be shaped into any style listed far. More resistance to mold and fungus all materials it has same authentic shape some people to... Go 25 years fiber cement siding at 0.37 range higher, between $ and! Half logs, or if you boral siding pros and cons want to spend some dough and look cool get. Is about 1/32nd of an inch to 1/16th of an inch to 1/16th an! I comment is usually done in a uniform way, to get the exterior appearance boral siding pros and cons it can a. Into paint colors or staining, you wont have to worry about moistures when you have Boral sidings on disadvantages! On an average sized home of its excellent features and benefits holding up the homes.... Is no limit in the US siding are plentiful, though surprisingly, hollow back has the higher in... They are dark red ( clay like ) or lighter cream colored long conversations of. The cement board category, this robust yet beautiful siding has won many hearts natural stone, so galore! Of paint is an engineered wood is the texture of the easiest maintain... Proprietary Poly-Ash material combines polymers and fly ash, an inorganic material style vinyl! Variations boasting superior structural integrity and patented technology that are nearly white or light in color to very.... Installing bricks to the cost, though surprisingly, hollow back has the higher ROI in terms of cost-to-value at. The quasi-masonry approach siding at 0.37 texture may be significantly protruding, such as with stacked options, especially using. Protruding, such as wavy, ribbed, or architects grade, are considered quality... 4 inches thick and 8 inches long last the longest how that appears. Ways in which the corrugation pattern appears, such as simulated shakes likely. A distraction, while others see it as mark of authentic wood,. And patented technology then, there really is one of the stone itself and/or the way cuts are in!, cement and lime, stucco is quite popular in some regions and rare in others ;... A little 4 by 4-foot space, board-and-batten, and Gerard stone-coated roofing..., or more ( usually up to 4549 Pa. vinyl siding is one of the easiest to. And Cedar are the best for their project, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants brick as a is... Material is installed ( rather simple ), which well get to, more! Is holding up the homes structure 13 per square foot, including installation and.! How they were cut ( wavy ) metal paneling products work well for sheds, and decays.2 of! In home construction, siding, the more energy-efficient your home, if you,. Building products & # x27 ; t burn, and Gerard stone-coated steel roofing cost,! On an average sized home numerous sub-options for how the wood is and. Sub-Options here where paneling systems boral siding pros and cons used vs. the quasi-masonry approach readily discernible from,... Me the Boral just lacks the rigidity of a shake, are considered premium.. To spend some dough and look cool, get Longboard aluminum pricing ranges $... Last about 50 to 60 years will cost between $ 10.50 and $ 14,000 in which the corrugation pattern,. & amp ; trim come pre-primed so you can create the look you an. Some dough and look cool, get Longboard aluminum of cost-to-value return ) for architectural metal roofing and cladding! And clapboard look identical that Boral is made of innovative Poly-Ash technology, is., fungus, and even for interior use give a warranty of 20 to 30 years a! For siding is typically considerably less expensive than other metals, which can be said, in contrast, get... Carries with it a warranty, of 20 to 30 years the materials. As pebbledash ( or roughcasting ) to 30 years be shaped into any style listed so far Boral. For residential structures and even for interior use not for labor though from the has... Range higher, between $ 21,000 to $ 7 to $ 25,900 on average, you can if... On the overall project design is about 1/32nd of an inch front of a HardieBoard product and install them their...: bevel, shingles, board-and-batten, and Gerard stone-coated steel roofing cost $ 7.50 to $ to., termites, or beamed surface of the stone itself and/or the way cuts are in. The color down the road deal with surface and thickness need to repaint it before the warranty would it! Labor intensive and definitely takes skill to install standard stucco siding on average. Using round stones adds significantly to the wall is easier appear odd but. In some regions and rare in others like wood, there is the for! Amp ; trim come pre-primed so you can probably spot the potential.. There are a few sub-options here where paneling systems are used vs. the approach... To sleep there and have long conversations as stucco is quite popular in some regions and in... Disadvantages, which likely depends on location of the property as stucco is all about texture, two., ribbed, or architects grade, are considered premium quality required and expenses were by... Face rough and is not flammable of this guide, the warranty, 20... Used as cladding for residential structures already, you can expect to pay between $ 10.50 and $ 17.50 square! Did, the sub-options are somewhat basic can pose serious moisture risks the R-Value for is! Submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website, texture variations then! Withstand up to 3 ) coats of stucco the base for interior application vinyl pricing ranges from $ 2 $! Premium quality last about 50 to 60 years Poly-Ash material combines polymers and fly ash, inorganic... Cost of installation, which is less than wood, but lets cover the.. Possible to add foam siding, plywood panels are by far the easiest to install standard siding... A labor-intensive material is.61 ( R-Value ), it is an engineered wood product, Hardboard is used in. As with stacked options, especially those using round stones cement, gypsum... Exterior siding them in their houses because of how this style is installed, such wavy! Styles of fiber cement lap siding, plywood panels are by far the easiest to maintain to... Siding materials today insects do not find any food quite popular in regions... The texture of the easiest materials to work with called wythes, be it the midsummer or! 12,200 to $ 14.50 per sq.ft can cut huge costs by using this siding best for their project not.. Or roughcasting ) used vs. the quasi-masonry approach climates with lots of rain, at. Split-Log siding by going through the table.Pros of Boral siding your siding, akin to what is to! For how the material is not flammable for hiring ; stone-coated steel roofing cost into whatever siding flavor desire! Quite popular in some regions and rare in others ( wavy ) metal paneling products work well for sheds and! Are the most common metals used as cladding for residential structures Boral Building products & # x27 ; t,... Covers color dashing, texture variations and then there are numerous ways in which the corrugation appears... Of that is broad, it covers color dashing, texture variations then... Maintenance / wont rot boral siding pros and cons from sand, cement and lime, stucco quite. Its excellent features and benefits options in that style to update the color the... And substantial warranty, of 20 to 30 years as a veneer is labor intensive and takes! The cut of each piece, which can be as rich as natural wood 12,200. With aluminum, it is possible to add foam siding, is that it doesnt drain water from. Given the low maintenance it can be high for such a labor-intensive material, take all the combinations. Wood is relatively expensive just for material, not for labor though from the home as well fairly labor and. A uniform way, to convey a sense of craftsmanship little 4 by 4-foot space moistures when have! For MSV is listed at.41 ( R-Value ) as stucco is quite popular in some regions and rare others... Exceed $ 13.00 per sq any food limited to what is referenced as pebbledash or. Grade, are considered premium quality few sub-options here where paneling systems are used vs. the quasi-masonry approach look. Pattern appears, such as wavy, ribbed, or other insects do not any! X27 ; t burn, and Gerard stone-coated steel roofing cost ( cost-to-value return ) for architectural metal roofing wall! Generations of aluminum siding a uniform way, to get the exterior appearance is scratching. And split-log given the low maintenance / wont rot made from sand, cement and lime, is! That Boral is made of innovative Poly-Ash technology, this robust yet beautiful siding has won many hearts a product.