Multifamily construction presents a host of considerations that differentiate it from single-family residential projects. There are more stakeholders involved in investment and planning. There is a need to appeal to hundreds if not thousands of residents. There are local zoning and code considerations. And large-scale multifamily structures have a much greater impact on the surrounding community. They are more visible, they have greater economic implications, and once they are built, they simply affect the lives of a greater number of people from renters to employees.
These considerations have an effect on product specification for the actual building phase of the project. This includes selecting the right cladding for the exterior of the building. In this respect, composite sidings are gaining in popularity. In markets nationwide, composites are replacing the use of fiber cement as contractors, builders, and owners of multifamily residential developments are discovering the benefits of a more durable cladding solution.
Composite sidings are rising in popularity for multifamily dwellings courtesy of the material’s authentic look, long lifespan, durability, and low maintenance, among other convincing attributes.
Durability and Resilience
Multifamily projects must be built to last. Otherwise, ongoing maintenance becomes exceptionally costly. This is the case when installing lower-grade siding that cracks or dents easily, compromising the look of the building and the integrity of the weather barrier behind the cladding. In addition, not only does replacing a structure’s exterior materials present cost implications for the owner, but it has effects on the carbon footprint of the structure. Original materials need to be torn down and disposed of, and new siding needs to be manufactured, shipped, and installed. This all negatively impacts the operational and embodied carbon quotient of a structure.
On the contrary, durable, resilient composite sidings can last for decades without the need for costly repairs. This saves money and creates a more sustainable building.
Minimal Maintenance
Composite sidings afford property managers with the luxury of very little maintenance, which delivers significant cost savings, particularly for large-scale multifamily residential structures. In addition, products such as Everlast® advanced composite siding do not ever need to be painted or repainted after years of wear. The product’s acrylic capstock – offered in 15 popular colors – is molecularly fused to the plank’s composite substrate. This means that it will never peel, flake, crack, rust, blister, or corrode under extreme heat or abnormally wet conditions. This has proven to be highly beneficial for multifamily developments by minimizing ongoing maintenance costs. In fact, a luxury senior living facility in Florida chose Everlast siding because owners knew repainting would be a significant expense in a coastal environment. By choosing Everlast siding, they eliminated these costs and were able to hire more nurses and caregivers to provide better care for residents.
Your Siding, Your Style
Gone are the days of monochromatic multifamily residential buildings. Today’s architects, owners, and developers are seeking building exteriors that feature numerous exterior colors, textures, and cladding styles. This often includes a blend of siding styles, metal panels, brick, stone, and other materials to create facades that significantly enhance a building’s curb appeal.
With Everlast siding, designers can choose from three profiles: traditional horizontal lap siding in 4.5-inch and 7-inch reveal widths and vertical board and batten siding with an 11-inch reveal. Each Everlast siding profile is offered in 15 timeless colors ranging from warm to cool, earthy, and contemporary neutral tones.
In addition, Everlast siding is an extruded product that, through the extrusion process, receives a surface finish from the imprint of an actual specimen of rough-sawn top-grade cedar. This gives the product the authentic appearance of real wood without all the drawbacks (rotting, insect damage, etc.).
Weather Resistance
Composite sidings are built for the harshest weather conditions and are designed to outlast traditional vinyl siding, fiber cement, and real-wood alternatives. Composites are engineered to provide superior fade and weather resistance, making them ideal for hot, sunny, humid climates (such as the southern U.S.) as well as frigid, snowy locations in colder regions such as Alaska.
Everlast siding consists of a thick and solid composite substrate called C CORE®, which is made from a blend of minerals and polymer resins. Moreover, all Everlast colors feature a UV-stable acrylic capstock that allows the product to maintain a beautiful appearance even after decades of exposure to sun and weather. The product is also warranted against hail damage.
Installation: Stack It, Butt It, Bracket It
While thinner, more inexpensive vinyl siding may be more affordable initially, making an investment in composite siding is a more cost-effective choice over the building’s lifespan because owners do not have to worry about replacing it. The material’s longevity provides enduring value to multifamily developments over the course of decades.
A key factor in Everlast siding’s ability to outlast other siding materials is the method with which it is installed. Everlast siding is a floating siding system, which allows it to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, making it less rigid compared to traditional siding systems. This, combined with its advanced material technology, allows it to outlast other sidings by never cracking, bending, or warping.
Furthermore, Everlast siding features EZStack joinery that ensures quick and level installation, easing the process for contractors through a simplified panel-stacking installation technique. It is also lightweight, which makes it easy to transport around the jobsite and hoist into place on the wall.
Finally, long-lasting composite sidings boost the resale value of properties thanks to its ability to retain prime aesthetic qualities and performance years after the original installation.
A Multifamily Match
If you are an architect or developer in charge of material selection for a multifamily residential project, composite sidings should most certainly be under consideration. With their combination of durability, weatherability, low maintenance, style options, and a lifetime of performance, composites are poised to make their way onto more large-scale multifamily developments in the coming years. This will particularly be the case with the push by local ordinances requiring multiple cladding materials on a structure.
Those who choose Everlast advanced composite siding also receive a limited lifetime warranty: Chelsea Building Product’s promise that it will last a lifetime.
Multifamily? Make it Everlast siding.
