masonite siding

[chrisbrowning]

There is a product that Lowes calls "Knotty Barn Siding"  They tell me this is a masonite.  

Will this stuff hold up on exterior if you seal it with "Thompsons Water Sealer"? I would place this over OSB and wrap.

Or would I be better off with using T1-11 and sealing it with Thompsons. Someone told me that I had to sand it first before I sealing it. Is this true?

That is why I was considering the masonite because it does not need to be sanded and has a smooth finish.

A smooth finish is not necessary for me. Because I would prefer the rough finish of T1-11 without sanding it.

Want a siding that will hold up, least hazzle putting up and finishing.

[glenn kangiser]

For myself, Chris, I prefer as close to real wood as possible.  Just personal preference.

The Log Home Store recommends pressure washing before applying some of their treatments to open up the pores of the wood.  

I like the propaganda on their product called Defy.  I have no connection with them, but have used it satisfactorily and you may want to compare it to Thompsons.  Clear to many transparent UV protecting colors available.  Check under finishes.

http://www.suncountrylogworks.com/index.html

Log home supplies, log home plan books, from Log Home Store

Note:  Posters- when you post URL's in your message, you can drag and drop them in the message window as you are composing it.  That is how I did this one.  Straight from my favorites to here in Firefox.

[JRR]

T1-11 gets my vote.   I personally prefer regular oil primer and acrylic topcoat ... over Thompson's or other clear fortified linseed oil formulas.

I've never heard of anyone sanding T1-11 BTW.

[John Raabe]

Fiberboard sidings have a checkered past, Masonite in particular.

http://www.masoniteclaims.com/

Most of the problems have been in moist climates or seacoast exposures where the siding puffs up with absorbed moisture and can turn organic.

Coatings are a poor fix for an inappropriate material in such situations. Plywood sidings have a much better longevity in damp climates but not as good as cedar or some of the inorganic sidings such as Hardiboard.