Cost Effective Building
Siding
Wood siding is extremely flammable, its prone to rotting and moisture being trapped. Causing rot and ruining insulation. It requires repainting/restaining every 3-5 years.
Hardie siding won't ignite against fires, class A, it won’t rot or decay. It doesn't absorb much heat from the sun, and traps less moisture.
Hardie siding and a rainscreen, water instead of being trapped will drain out because of the rainscreen. The sun will transfer less from the siding to the house because there is an extra layer of thermal protection.
Azek Architectural PVC siding has a rain screen, class A against fires, 100% waterproof, has vents for the hot air to escape so that the heat doesn’t transfer through the walls and won’t lose its color over its lifespan.
Why Does This Matter?
Siding
Moisture being kept in ruins insulation and creates rot, heat being absorbed and trapped warms up your house, and needing to be repainted or restained quickly. These are all things that will add up and create more costs for you in the long run. Having fire resistant siding will help prevent your house from igniting if a fire comes through your area.
Decking Substructure
You have to worry about rot, warping, lifespan and fires. Picking a solid substructure that is resistant to those three things while having a long lifespan will help lower your costs and chances of something going awry.
Decking
Having a deck that is resistant to rot, fires, while having a long lifespan and needing less maintenance will reduce your costs in the long run. If you need to do a lot of maintenance it can add up quick over the years compared to decking that requires less. While also having to worry less about fires igniting your deck will give peace of mind.
Decking Substructure
Doug fir, cheap, lifespan of 10-15 years, easily flammable prone to warping and twisting under snow, traps water and rots quickly.
Pressure treated wood, somewhat resistant to fires, 20-25 year lifespan, cracks under a lot of weight and you need to treat the cut ends so it doesn't rot.
PWT Treat LVL, dense, resists igniting, 25+ year lifespan, no warping or sagging under snow, core layers are treated to resist rot.
Timber tech Aluminum, class A fire resistant, lifetime lifespan, doesn’t warp or sag under snow, doesn’t rot.
Decking
Western Red Cedar, ignites easily, 15-20 year lifespan, stays cool, takes a lot of maintenance needs to be re-stained every year, very flammable.
TimberTech Composite, CA fire approved, 25-30 year lifespan, traps heat, needs to be washed occasionally.
Azek Advanced PVC, CA fire approved, 50+ year lifespan, stays cool, little maintenance.
Tanzanite Stonedeck, Class A fire rated, lifetime lifespan, holds heat and melts snow quick, zero maintenance.