Choosing the right exterior isn’t just about curb appeal; it’s about durability, value, and how your home will stand up to Bay Area microclimates. “Masonite siding” refers to a type of engineered wood (hardboard) composite that became popular on many homes and remodels. Understanding its strengths and limitations matters: a nationwide class-action over defective hardboard siding from Masonite ultimately generated over $1.2 billion in payments to homeowners, underscoring why material choice and installation details are critical.
At Intelligent Choice Builders, we pair local permitting know-how with craftsmanship across every trade, so you get professional results at a local cost. If your remodel touches more than just the exterior, our team can coordinate your whole project—from envelope upgrades to interiors—so everything works together. Explore our service approach here: Complete Home Renovation. And because siding decisions also affect resale, note that in the Pacific region, fiber-cement siding replacement averages a cost recoup of ~116%, a reminder that the correct specification can protect both your home and your budget.
If you’re planning to expand—whether for a growing family, multigenerational living, a home office, or improved energy performance—our Resource Center is built to help you move forward with confidence. You’ll find step-by-step planning guides, code and permitting insights, and product comparisons written for Bay Area homeowners: Intelligent Choice Builders Blog. Water efficiency is another smart pillar of an exterior upgrade; before you finalize your scope, read our expert guide on Top water conservation renovations in San Jose.
This article will walk you through what Masonite siding is, how it stacks up against other materials, and the practical considerations Northern California remodelers should weigh before installation—so you can make the Intelligent Choice for your home with clear, locally grounded guidance.
Introduction to Masonite Siding: Understanding the Basics
Masonite, often called hardboard, is an engineered wood siding made by compressing wood fibers with heat, resins, and wax. It became common in Bay Area homes because it delivers a uniform, wood-like look at a friendly price point. Performance depends on keeping water out of the core, especially at butt joints, trim transitions, and lower courses where splashback happens. A good reminder of why product choice and detailing matter is the national hardboard litigation involving Masonite products, which resulted in more than $1 billion paid to homeowners.
If your project touches more than the exterior, it is smart to coordinate the envelope, windows, and trim together so everything sheds water and looks cohesive. See how our team manages the entire process on our Complete Home Renovation page. And because many remodels start with a need to expand, plan, or reconfigure space, our Homeowner Resource Center offers step-by-step guides written for Northern California homes.
The Advantages of Using Masonite Siding for Your Home Renovation
Homeowners like Masonite for its clean, wood-like aesthetic and approachable upfront cost. It is lighter and easier to work with than fiber cement and takes paint well, so future color updates are straightforward. For more minor repairs, matching profiles are often available, which can help you phase work as the budget allows.
Pro tips to maximize value
- Specify factory-primed boards and back-prime all field cuts.
- Use stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners.
- Include a drainage gap or ventilated rain-screen where feasible to help the wall dry out after storms.
A quick market note for long-term value: in the Pacific region, fiber-cement siding replacement averages a 115.7% cost recoup at resale, making durable exteriors a strong investment baseline when you compare options.
Potential Drawbacks: The Cons of Choosing Masonite Siding
Masonite’s weak point is moisture. Research from the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory documents edge swelling in hardboard siding and how paint failure at edges accelerates liquid water pickup, which can shorten service life.
What to watch for on existing homes:
- Soft or swollen lower edges, mushroomed nail heads, or peeling paint that returns quickly.
- Butt joints without flashing, boards tight to soil or roof surfaces, and swelling near decks or downspouts.
Maintenance realities
- Keep 6–8 inches of clearance to grade and 1–2 inches to lower roofs or decks.
- Re-caulk and repaint on a schedule, especially at vertical trim and penetrations.
- When replacing damaged courses, add Z-flashing or joint flashing behind every butt joint. James Hardie’s technical bulletin is a good reference point for joint-flashing practice.
Masonite Siding vs. Other Popular Siding Materials: A Comparative Overview
If you are comparing claddings, here is the practical, Bay-Area-centric snapshot.
Masonite (hardboard) vs. fiber cement
Masonite offers a warm wood look at a lower initial cost and is easier to cut, but it is more sensitive to water at the edges. Fiber cement is heavier and more labor-intensive, yet it is non-combustible and tends to lead to durability and resale in our region, supported by the Cost vs. Value data above.
Masonite vs. vinyl
Vinyl is generally lower maintenance with integral color, but can read less “authentic” up close. Masonite resembles painted wood but requires vigilant water management.
Masonite vs. natural wood
Cedar or redwood provides classic grain and straightforward spot repairs, usually with a higher upfront cost and finishing cycles.
What Bay Area Remodelers Should Consider Before Installing Masonite Siding
Start with climate, code, and constructability.
Microclimates and moisture
North and west elevations stay wetter in fog and wind. A continuous WRB, kick-out flashings, head flashings over penetrations, and a small drainage gap behind the siding are smart upgrades that help any cladding dry faster. Findings from Forest Products Laboratory work highlight that edge swell and water pickup are key failure modes to guard against.
Wildfire and WUI zones
In designated Wildland-Urban Interface areas, exterior wall materials must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A or appear on the CAL FIRE WUI Building Materials Listing. Fiber cement and stucco are commonly used to meet these requirements. If you consider engineered wood or hardboard, verify the exact product listing for your assembly before you finalize a profile.
Permits and process
Most jurisdictions require a building permit for siding replacement. In San Francisco, exterior siding repairs or replacement are explicitly eligible for Over-the-Counter review when the scope qualifies. San José offers a Residential Express pathway that can issue permits on the day of your appointment for qualifying single-story projects. An experienced contractor will confirm scope, documentation, and inspections.
A specification checklist you can give your contractor
- Factory-primed boards, back-primed field cuts, and corrosion-resistant fasteners.
- Joint flashing at every butt joint; head flashings over windows and doors.
- Clearances: maintain several inches to grade and at least an inch to roofing and hard surfaces per manufacturer guidance.
Water-smart upgrades that pair well with siding
Many exterior scopes benefit from drainage improvements, rain-screen details, downspout extensions, and landscape fixes. Before you finalize the scope, read our expert guide on the Top water conservation renovations in San Jose.
If your remodel includes new space or a whole-home refresh, coordinating design, permits, trades, and inspections through one team reduces change orders and speeds decisions. Explore our approach on the Complete Home Renovation page, and keep learning in our Homeowner Resource Center.
Making an Informed Decision About Masonite Siding for Your Next Remodel Project
Masonite can deliver the painted-wood look on a budget, but it asks for careful detailing and consistent maintenance to stay dry and stable. Many Bay Area owners choose fiber cement for wildfire performance, durability, and strong resale metrics, while others repair or selectively replace hardboard and invest in better water management. Suppose you need straightforward help deciding whether to repair, replace, or switch materials. In that case, we are happy to walk your exterior, document our findings, and provide a side-by-side spec and budget so you can make the Intelligent Choice with confidence.