The Home Depot Thermal Wood Siding and Rainscreen Instruction Manual
- June 1, 2024
- THE HOME DEPOT
Table of Contents
The Home Depot Thermal Wood Siding and Rainscreen
Product Information
Specifications
- Product: Thermal Wood Siding
- Fastener Options: Exterior rated finishing nails, self-tapping screws, T&G hidden fastening clips
- Maintenance: Regular cleaning, 2+ coats of sealant
FAQ
- Q: How often should I clean my ThermA Siding?
- A: Regularly clean your ThermA Siding to prevent debris buildup. Aim for a cleaning schedule every 6-12 months depending on environmental factors.
- Q: Can I paint over ThermA Siding?
- A: Yes, you can paint over ThermA Siding. Ensure the surface is clean and dry before applying paint.
Installation Instructions
Notes
- Most ThermA Siding products feature a reversible, double-sided face to fit your preference. You may choose to feature ThermA Siding’s nickel-gap or v-joint face as desired.
- ThermA Siding must be installed over vertical furring strips. Furring strips should be installed at least every 24″, should be at least ¾” thick, and should be fastened to studs. Westwood has thermally modified furring strips available for sale – please inquire about adding them to your order unless you have another preferred solution.
- For horizontal applications, ThermA Siding should be installed with the tongue facing up to prevent unwanted water intrusion.
- We recommend ThermA Siding be installed at least 12″ above the ground, or at least 6″ above slabs, paths, or steps to allow for sufficient airflow. A minimum ¼” gap above/below soffits, doors, windows, and flashing aids in necessary airflow.
To install ThermA Siding while hiding the fasteners, we recommend one of the three following options:
- Use exterior rated 2.5″, #16 finishing nails to face-fasten ThermA Siding, taking care to nail the siding to the furring strips below. Do not face fasten within ¾” of any board edge to prevent cracking or splitting.
- Use exterior rated 2.25″ – 2.5″, #6 or #7 selftapping (type 17 or similar) screws to angle fasten ThermA Siding from the tongue downward through the siding board into the underlying furring strip. The screw head must be flush with the surface of the tongue to prevent water intrusion.
- Use exterior rated T&G hidden fastening clips of your choice.
NOTES
- For vertical installations, install vertical furring strips as usual, then install horizontal furring strips on top of the vertical strips to allow for airflow behind ThermA Siding. Fasten your vertical siding boards to the horizontal furring strips using one of the methods above.
- When cutting ThermA Siding, higher powered saws will generally improve the quality of your cuts. A miter saw will work well. For a 7¼” circular saw blade, use a new 36-40 tooth carbide tipped blade for best results. Fewer teeth may result in a course cut.
Maintenance & Care
Color Consistency
- The thermal modification process results in rich, darker color than untreated wood. One benefit of thermal treatment is that the wood has the same rich color throughout the entire thickness of the board.
- Color and grain variation between boards, and sometimes within the same board, are normal for natural wood products. Some species are notorious for a wide range of potential colors (for example: poplar), while others have more consistent color from board to board. Some variation in color is to be expected with any natural wood product, but Westwood separates its finished products based on a range of color tones so you can choose a general color tone range that best suits your preference.Natural wood products aren’t the best fit for a project that requires a perfectly uniform appearance.
- Unless otherwise specified, all ThermA products come four-side factory oiled. The factory oil and color tone will begin to gradually fade immediately after installation but will last anywhere from a fewmonths to multiple years depending on the duration, angle, and intensity of exposure to UV light, water, and debris. Regular maintenance is required to keep the original color of your ThermA product.
NOTE: Following installation of your ThermA product, it is important to keep the surface clear of leaves, needles, pollen, and other debris. These may deteriorate the factory oil coating more quickly and result in a shorter maintenance interval than you may otherwise experience, and debris may retain moisture, causing the development of mold.
- Most ThermA products directly exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays will need to be re-oiled/sealed approximately once each year but may be required more or less often in order to maintain their original color. If you miss a maintenance interval, you may find your ThermA product has silvered or greyed under the sun. Many choose to leave the products unsealed to promote silvering which can quickly resemble reclaimed barn wood. But don’t worry, this silvering doesn’t impact the wood’s resistance to rot and decay.
- If your products have turned silver or grey, and you prefer the original, rich color tones that your products had when you purchased them, have no fear. Your ThermA product has the same, original rich color throughout the full thickness of the board. If you wish to restore your wood’s original color, lightly sand the top layer of your boards, and refinish them with a UV-protective oil-based sealant of your choice. If you want to match the original factoryoiled look, please contact us so we can help you choose a matching oil based on your product and date of manufacture. 2+ coats of sealant will absorb into the wood best and will result in better protection from the elements and a longer maintenance interval.
- To clean dirt or debris from your ThermA product, you may wash the surface with a gentle wood cleaner and a soft shower of water from a garden hose. Before using cleaner on your entire ThermA product’s surface, test it on a small, unnoticeable area to ensure the wood cleaner and water stream do not remove oil or discolor your ThermA product prior to cleaning larger, noticeable surface areas.
Checking & Distortion
- “Checking” is the natural process in which cracks or splits may occur on or within a board of wood as a result of the wood’s expansion and contraction in different weather conditions. Most checking that occurs in ThermA products takes place during the thermal modification process when the wood’s moisture content is reduced to almost zero, and we eliminate any significantly cracked boards during our extensive quality control process.
- Despite our post-treatment re-acclimation period and quality control process, you may still experience some minor checking after installation. If this occurs, it should only be some minor hairline cracks which are no cause for concern or a warranty claim. Please contact us immediately if you experience any significant cracking so we can work together to resolve your concern.
- One major benefit of the thermal modification process is that resulting products are significantly more resistant to warping, cupping, and bending than untreated alternatives. While significantly improved, ThermA products are not impervious to warping, particularly in exterior environments with large fluctuations in temperature and humidity. To minimize the effects of changing conditions on your ThermA products, it’s imperative to follow this installation guide, providing for good airflow on the reverse side of your ThermA products whenever installed outside. If you followed this guide and provided for sufficient airflow but still experience minor dimensional distortion, please contact us so we may consult on how to resolve this distortion.
- Consult on how to resolve this distortion.
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