Does Masonite withstand weather and wind?

[fribygg]

It’s probably quite simple to attach battens and real paneling if it turns out not to work well after a few years.

Sure, letting a masonite act as a facade and wind protector for a while and then installing a regular vertical facade with, for example, inch-thick boards should be simple and risk-free. I have been considering if it would work for 5 years on a simpler summer house, but when you read the thread, you can see that it can work problem-free for 50 years.

 

[Kapsyl]

In the '80s, I lived next to someone who built a small garage with masonite. As a surface layer, he applied several layers of fiberglass mat and polyester, which were then painted. The new owner tore it down a few years ago when he needed a larger garage, but the masonite garage seemed to be in excellent condition.

 

[Stuff]

No, don't have anything like that.
But many of the so-called Egnahemshus from the 40s and 50s had masonite facades.
Mockfjärds Elementhus, for example, had ready-made wall elements, masonite glued and nailed on both sides of a thin stud frame filled with wood shavings.
Inward was the smooth side that you wallpapered on, outward the rough side clad with battens, painted and finished, it looked like any wood facade.

But those walls were very thin and don't meet today's standards.

No, Mockfjärds Elementhus were/are not constructed quite like that.
No stud frame. Fairly thick tongue-and-groove planks both inside and outside. Standing masonite strips glued between the two layers of planks as sandwich material.

 

[cpalm]

Masonit cottage is indeed a concept. There are many simpler old holiday homes built with studs and masonite. Apparently, there are examples that have stood since the 30s. So it probably works well.

 

[useless]

The function of the masonite is to keep the loose insulation in place and to stop the wind.

It becomes a so-called one-step sealed facade which rarely works well in the long run. How will you avoid water being pushed into the insulation through leaks when it's windy? How will moisture in the insulation be ventilated out?

 

[fribygg]

It will be a so-called single-stage sealed facade that rarely tends to work well in the long run.

If a simpler summer cottage with a massonit facade has lasted since the 1930s, maybe you don't need to worry so much about how it will hold up in the long run? A human lifetime, I think, is a reasonable lifespan for a low-cost facade on a cottage. Then the grandchildren or great-grandchildren can tear down the massonit and put up new boards if they wish, or install a new massonit facade and hope that the board quality is good enough to also last 90 years.

 

[Plupp 405730]

It will be a so-called one-stage sealed facade which rarely works well in the long run. How will you prevent water from being forced into the insulation through gaps when it blows? How will moisture in the insulation be ventilated out?

Yes, I wouldn't want such a facade, guaranteed moisture damage with at least mold in the walls…

 

[fribygg]

Yeah, I wouldn't want such a facade, guaranteed moisture damage with at least mold in the walls…

No, but if it's healthy behind the aged masonite, there shouldn't be any problems, just put up a new facade according to the current owner's requirements and wishes.

 

[Plupp 405730]

No, but if it is healthy behind the aged masonite, there shouldn't be any problems, just put up a new façade according to the current owner's requirements and wishes.

A masonite directly on a frame on a weather-exposed side is not moisture-proof...

 

[Rodgar Den Frie]

Don't do it, it's not a good idea. There's a reason why masonite isn't used much anymore.

Thank you

What is the reason?

 

[AG A]

Thank you

What is the reason?

The reason is that masonite doesn't withstand the elements very well. Now it might depend on how you look at it. It will remain watertight for a very long time in itself. But it will absorb moisture and can start to mold; it doesn't breathe well. It will warp, and in doing so, become leaky at the joints. But it will also become very unsightly quickly. It probably won't be possible to attach paneling on the outside after a few years. The masonite would then have to be torn off first.

 

[Rodgar Den Frie]

It will be a so-called single-stage sealed facade that rarely tends to work well in the long run. How will you prevent water from being pushed into the insulation through leaks when it's windy? How will moisture in the insulation be ventilated out?

The masonite is able to stop the wind and prevent liquid water from entering the wall

The wall consists of hygroscopic materials all the way through that can transport moisture in both directions

We are talking about water in vapor form here

 

[Rodgar Den Frie]

Yes, I wouldn't want to have such a facade, guaranteed moisture damage with at least mold in the walls...

Thank you

Can you describe in detail how you envision a possible mold development in this wall looks?

 

[Rodgar Den Frie]

The reason is that masonite just does not withstand the elements very well. Now it might depend a bit on how you look at it. It will remain watertight for a very long time in itself. But it will absorb moisture and can start to develop mold, it has difficulty breathing. It will buckle and thus become untight at the joints. But then it will also become very ugly quickly. Attaching paneling on top after a few years may not be possible. The masonite would then need to be removed first.

Thank you

Could you elaborate on, "...can start to develop mold" and "...difficulty breathing."

Masonite can transport moisture

The joints in my wall are at the center of the standing studs, and over them sits an upright nailed sawback from sill to hammer beam.

 

[Rodgar Den Frie]

Yes, I wouldn't want a facade like that, guaranteed water damage with at least mold in the walls…

Thank you

Can you describe in detail how you imagine potential water damage with at least mold occurs?