4 Common Paulownia Siding Problems and How to Fix Them

In Asia, where it grows naturally, paulownia is known by a variety of names. The Princess Tree, or Kiri, is how people refer to it. Paulownia is a popular siding material out here in the west. Because it resists stains and has a walnut or mahogany appearance, homeowners adore it.

The majority of Paulownia siding vendors also assert that this engineered material is long-lasting and impervious to weather-related deterioration. Paulownia siding has a rich character that can enhance the visual appeal of your house.

Paulownia might seem like a good choice if you’re thinking about using it for siding or a do-it-yourself clapboard siding restoration project. Is it worth your money, though?

This siding has been the subject of numerous complaints. To make an informed decision, you should be aware of some of the Paulownia siding issues before you purchase and install it in your house.

The following issues are taken from customer reviews and complaints.

Typical Paulownia Siding Issues

1. Distemper

Sellers of Paulownia wood siding may make claims to the contrary, but if your home is exposed to the sun on multiple sides, you should anticipate some discoloration from this material.

Paulownia siding is prone to discoloration, according to a significant portion of homeowners who have it installed, especially on sunny sides. It’s something you might want to consider.

Fortunately, there are paints that can fix faded areas. However, there will be times when this needs to be done. Additionally, the Paulownia siding’s original color will be lost if it is painted over.

2. Dysfunction

Paulownia is a hardwood that grows quickly, but it still rots easily. If you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain, the moisture may cause the Paulownia siding to deteriorate by allowing mold to grow inside of it.

Unfortunately, even after priming and sanding Paulownia siding, wood rot keeps coming back. The only thing left to do is apply a mold killer, but you should do this as soon as possible.

There is no choice but to remove and replace the Paulownia siding once the decays get serious. The glue line is where most of the rot happens.

3. Problems with Quality

The primary cause of quality problems like discoloration and decay is inadequate craftsmanship. It also suggests that the siding is not long-lasting.

Paulownia siding has been the subject of multiple complaints regarding material quality. This is not surprising, given that vendors source these goods from various locations.

If you decide to go with Paulownia sidings, make sure you find out where they came from. Inquire about the siding’s warranty as well. It is advisable that you look into Paulownia siding alternatives if you are unable to obtain the information above.

4. It’s Not Very Extended

The majority of homeowners who have installed Paulownia siding have had to remove it after four to five years because of the rot and decay mentioned above. As a result, it is not as robust as the majority of sellers like to say.

So, if you decide to go with Paulownia, be aware that you might need to replace it in the future. You will also suffer a sizable loss if the contractor or seller does not provide a warranty.

Is Paulownia Siding a Good Investment?

We will talk about these advantages later. Purchasing this material for your home’s siding has a few advantages. Let us concentrate on the possible issues for the time being. Is it worthwhile to spend money on this siding?

Paulownia sidings are not new to the market. They’ve existed for a long time. Paulownia is derived from a fast-growing native Asian tree. However, it’s grown in the United States these days. Its rapid growth makes it a favorite among tree enthusiasts.

If you know anything about trees, you should know that Paulownia and Southern Yellow Pine have comparable performance. It isn’t robust.

You should not anticipate using it as siding for a very long time after installation. In two to four years, it will rot or decay. And your only choice will be to replace it.

Please be advised that Paulownia siding is not a good substitute for Cedar siding. Although it appears nice, you will never be able to sleep easy knowing that you will eventually need to replace it. Contrary to what many sellers claim, it is not durable or resistant to decay.

If you must purchase Paulownia siding, make sure to treat mold and insects severely. If not, two years later you will have to deal with mold, discoloration, and decay.

Does Paulownia Have It All Going Bad?

Not at all. Although there are some disadvantages to paulownia siding that should be taken into account, there are also some benefits. It wouldn’t be a common siding material otherwise.

Vinyl siding made of paulownia is very lovely. That is beyond question. After taking one look at this material, you’ll want to hang it on the outside of your house right away.

It has a high strength-to-wait ratio aside from that. This indicates that it is more resilient to cracking and warping. This is a Paulownia feature that you will appreciate if you have ever worked with PVC sidings.

High fire resistance is another feature of this siding. Its low heat conductivity will therefore prevent a fire from spreading quickly in the event of an outbreak. Paulownia is likewise low in weight. It is very easy to work with when it comes to installing.

It is easily stapled or nailed through, and painting over it is a simple task due to its dimensional stability. You can simply hide these imperfections later on when the rot and mold start to take hold.

The affordability of Paulownia siding is its final advantage. But be aware that sometimes cheap can mean expensive. Selecting the most cost-effective siding option for your house can be simple.

However, you must weigh the pros and cons of the material that will soon be installed. You are secure if the Paulownia siding is covered by a warranty.

If not, however, you will have to pay for expensive repairs and replacements when the Paulownia siding develops the aforementioned issues.

Various Paulownia Siding Options

Certainly, a lot of homeowners adore how wood looks on their siding. Now that you are aware of the disadvantages of using paulownia for siding, you should evaluate your options.

Here are some of the best alternatives to Paulownia sidings;

• Redwood: The best material for siding on homes. Rich tone and texture characterize redwood. It is not easily warped or shrunk. The longest-lasting finish on Redwood is what I adore most about it.

Redwood is naturally insect-resistant, in contrast to Paulownia. Redwood’s lone disadvantage is that it can be difficult to locate.

• Cedar: Cedar is the next in line. Its rich character will make it look good on the outside of your house. Additionally, cedar is more resilient to swelling, rotting, and splitting.

It is dimensionally stable like Paulownia. Although safe, it is resistant to insects. If you want your wood siding to last a long time, I would suggest sealing it.

• Fir: It’s widely available and can be milled to a pattern of your liking. We sell fir in long lengths. It is therefore simple to install. With this siding, you can do it yourself without hiring a contractor if you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast.
• Spruce: While it’s not superior to the other three, spruce is a far better option than papulownia. It is available in longer lengths and shares many traits with Pine.
• Pine: If you’re on a tight budget and need home siding, this is a reasonably priced option. It can be easily painted over and has a great finish. Nevertheless, due to its susceptibility to problems like splitting and rot, pine comes in last on our list of substitutes for Paulownia siding.