Siding? Wet climate?

13 years ago

We are building a small home in Seward, Alaska. Very wet climate. We will have a metal roof, some galvanized steel siding, and possibly flat fibercement panels.

This will be a weekend getaway home, so we want low maintenance. Any suggestions on the siding materials? Colors?

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PRO

ReSquare Architecture + Construction

13 years ago

You really should consult a local pro. You are in a very particular and extreme micro-climate and local knowledge will be the best source. You will not only be dealing with significant moisture penetration issues, but also without doubt significant freeze-thaw issues and possibly wind shear / lift. If it's anything like New England, be more concerned with your rainscreen (flashing, WP paper) being appropriate than your siding material.

I'd be more concerned with all that glazing surface area and the lack of shading. You're looking like you are into 25% glazed overall which will be hard to insulate well. Passive solar design techniques can make life in there pleasant and highly efficient if done right, but if not, it will be a gas-guzzler. I don't see how that design can be oriented without serious solar gain / heat loss issues unless you add some shading/screening elements. Again: local design pro would know best what's most appropriate.

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Comments (7)

phunkysalmon
Original Author
13 years ago
Oh, this is the final design in sketchup.
lefty47
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
HI -- I think Hardi -board might be the best for your area . Jameshardie.com
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tingeofbay
13 years ago
On an episode of extreme homes I saw a house side with Weathering metal, it rusts and forms a renewable shell lasting forever. So if you like rust brown this would work great in an always wet climate.
PRO
Dytecture
13 years ago
Galvanized steel would be one option to consider.
phunkysalmon
Original Author
13 years ago
Resquare architecture, thanks for your input. We are indeed talking with local folks. The flashing has been specifically discussed, and the house is situated for wind and solar factors.

Could you talk to me about two other factors. Could you explain the glazing surface and what the important factors are. This has not been mentioned to us.

Also, what is WP when you were discussing moisture control?

Thanks so much.
PRO
ReSquare Architecture + Construction
13 years ago
phunkysalmon, glad to hear you are tapping local expertise!

"Glazing surface area" is the percentage of your wall surfaces that are windows rather than solid wall.

A quick lesson:
Heat flows through materials like wood, metal and glass by what's called "conduction": you get burned if you grab a hot pan handle. It has a hard time flowing through air and can only do so by "radiation" or "convection": your hands get warm next to the hot pan handle, or the warm air from the pan rises to the ceiling.

Most heat loss in a house is through conduction via the home's "building envelope": walls, floor and roof. The majority is through the roof, then floors, and finally walls. So since windows are far less resistant to conducting heat than walls (this is quantified by a lower "R value") the more of them you have, the less resistant your home's building envelope is to heat loss. And it's not aggregated. One hole in a wall dramatically reduces the overall R value of the wall. Think of it as a boat: just one hole does a lot of damage even if the rest of the hull is sound.

This does not mean windows are a bad thing to put in a wall, just that it should be done wisely and judiciously. Lots of glass can be great for views but will make it tougher (or just more expensive) to keep the place warm (or cool).

Windows offer a connection to the outside, views, etc. That cannot be overrated! Windows also let sunlight in the home helping to heat it through radiation. This can be a good thing in the winter. But if not done carefully, can do the same thing in the summer when it is decidedly NOT what you want. Proper orientation relative to the sun's axis, seasonal angles and local tree shading all are factors in what does become a complex design dance. but it's all doable with heavy thinking and little extra cost.

WP referred to "water proofing". Don't think of siding as the means of keeping exterior moisture (rain) out of your house. It doesn't. It merely deters a figurative 95% of it from getting close enough to do so. The last 5% that gets through is stopped by your "WP" membrane: the real "skin" around your house which consists of building paper & flashing. 5% may not sound like much much but all it takes is a cup of moisture in your wall every rainfall to destroy your home over time. And if it's subject to repeated freezing and thawing it will occur even faster.

I hope that helps!