LOUISIANA PACIFIC
At the forefront of Siding Problems in the California is a product called "Louisiana Pacific" or "LP" (Inner Seal) Siding. There was a class action suit filed against the Louisiana Pacific siding, covering individuals who installed the product prior to January 1, 1996. The class action suit does not cover LP Inner Seal Siding installed after January 1, 1996. 

Louisiana Pacific sold two basic types of LP (Inner Seal) siding, "Lap" or horizontal siding and LP (Inner Seal) Panel Siding. Many people refer to the Panel Siding as T1-11. This is not a correct reference as T1-11 siding is a true plywood siding and it is made quite differently from the LP (Inner Seal) Siding and has held up better than the older LP Siding.

Most siding companies pull off all of the LP lap product and install new hardi-plank, vinyl or cedar. However, some siding companies re-side over the LP panel siding instead of pulling the panel material off. This process can have cost benefits; but, prior to siding over the panels you should look to see how much damage there is to the panels. If the damage is too severe, we do not suggest siding over the panels. Additionally, in many cases we do not suggest siding over the panels with vinyl. Call American Home Inspection at 1-707-586-7979 to find out why we do not suggest siding over the LP panels with vinyl in most cases. 

For your information, most builders placed either chip board or plywood behind the "Lap Siding". So, if you take off a piece of lap siding you have another protective layer of material before you get to the cavity of your wall. The panel siding is what we call a "single wall construction" type product. 

If you pull off a piece of panel siding it will immediately open up the cavity of your wall. You will be able to see your wiring, insulation, plumbing etc. This is one of the reasons so many siders suggest siding over the panel siding. By siding over the panel siding it gives you a second layer of protection. Thus the terms... "single wall construction" (panels only) and "double wall construction" (lap siding followed by a layer of plywood or chipboard). We do not suggest that you side over any panels that are seriously damaged. Usually the most damaged panels can be found in the non-insulated areas of your fireplace chimney or over the garage entrance. Chipboard products are often called "OSB" - oriented strand board.

If you need more information on the class action suit we suggest that you surf your way over to the "Louisiana Pacific" Internet web site. You may also call their claim line at 1-800-245-2722. When you put in a claim it will take about 90 days for them to send out an inspector. Approximately 60 days after the inspection you can call in and request a preliminary award figure. You can realistically expect that it will take from one year to two years from the date of inspection to the date that you will actually receive your claim check. The amount of time it will take from date of inspection to date of check could change but we expect it to get worse and not better over the next few months. Louisiana Pacific does use a depreciation schedule when figuring the amount of the claim it will pay so it is important for everyone to get their claim in as soon as possible. It has been our experience that LP pays out approximately 45% - 55% of the cost to reside. Your experience may end up being better or worse.

OMNI-BOARD
Omni Board is another product that people in the California are having problems with. The Omni-Board product is very similar to the Louisiana Pacific product in that it is a type of "chip board" product.

Omni-Board, like Louisiana Pacific, sold both "Lap" and "Panel" Siding. However, unlike the Louisiana Pacific panels, we do not always suggest that you side over these panels. The Omni-Board panels tend to bow more than the Louisiana Pacific Panels. As a result of the bowing, material set on top of the Omni-Board Panels do not always sit flat and can give the home the appearance of being "out of square". Caution is the better part of valor when siding over the Omni-Board panels.

You may call the Omni-Board claim line at 1-800-323-4591. It should only take you from 3 months to 6 months for Omni-board to settle your claim. Dealing with Omni-Board is much easier than Louisiana Pacific at this time. It is important to note that there is not a class action suit on the Omni-Board product. The company is handling the claims under their warranty program.

MASONITE
Masonite Hard Board - (Masonite) - did have a class action suit filed. The hard board siding was not used a great deal in the Pacific Northwest but you do find it from time to time. Most of the Masonite hard board siding came in panel form. On expensive homes you might find the Masonite "clad board". This is where Masonite covered the hard board siding with a "stucco" appearing material. This material was used on houses where people wanted to have a "tutor" looking home. If you have Masonite Hard Board siding you may call their claim line at 1-800-330-2722.

GEORGIA PACIFIC
Georgia Pacific Corporation recently settled a class action suit regarding their Jarratt Lap Siding and Catawba Siding. Catawba was used a great deal in California when Louisiana Pacific started having problems with their siding. 

You may call the Georgia Pacific corporation claims line at 1-888-882-5246.

Weyerhaeuser
New class action suit filed in June, 1999

For claims call 1-253-924-2655

OTHERS
See also Synthethic Stucco
Other siding names, which come up from time to time as having problems, are Stimson Forestex and Boise Cascade. We are not aware of any class action suits against these siding manufactures at this time. Most of the claims regarding their products are handled on a claim by claim basis. It is our experience that in most cases trying to put in a fair claim against these giant companies is like David facing Goliath, only in these cases Goliath wins.

(the 65% rule applies only to the lap siding --- not the panel siding)

The new game rules for receiving a 100% damage claim:

As you have heard - under the Louisiana Pacific class action suit - any side of a house which shows over 65% damage is supposed to be the equivalent of a claim equal to 100% damage. However, the way the claim adjusters are going to pay the actual claims needs to be noted.

If a side of a house shows over 65% damage the claim adjusters will initially pay for the amount of damage shown in the report. For example, if a house has a side with 78% damage they will initially pay a claim for the 78% damage shown on that side. The claim will be adjusted for any depreciation due to the age of the home. The homeowner will receive the remaining 22% only after he/she provides Louisiana Pacific with proof that the siding has been replaced.

Louisiana Pacific depreciates all claims based on the age of a home. They do not depreciate a home for the first 2 years. They depreciate all claims starting in year three. The depreciation schedule is 5% for year three, 5% for year four, 8% for year five, with an additional 8% depreciation for each year after five. The depreciation is actually figured on a monthly basis. If a house is 5 years old the gross claim would be depreciated as follows: 0 for year 1, 0 for year 2, 5% for year 3, 5% for year 4, 8% for year 5, for a total of 18% depreciation.

So be cautious when you tell people about the LP 65% rule...

65% does not immediately equate to 100%. Your clients must realize that they will only receive an initial payment for the amount of damage they have on their siding when they settle their claim (adjusted for depreciation). If they have 65% or more damage on any one side of their house they will be entitled to receive the balance of the claim if and only if they provide the Louisiana Pacific claim adjusters with proof that they have replaced the siding on their home. The LP siding 65% rule only applies to lap siding and not the panel siding.