Having an appealing home exterior can increase your home’s value. When it comes to perfecting the exterior of your home, you need to give special attention to the details. There are minor details that are critical and have the power to make amazing changes to the exterior.
One building element that can provide beautiful aesthetics to your home’s exterior is the Frieze board. This trim material can be found in and out of the house and serves different purposes.
This trim board is a must for every house. It comes in different materials, and you need to do some research before choosing the right one for you.
So, our team of professionals have decided to make an information guide to help you learn all about Frieze board. Lets get started.
What is a Frieze Board?
A frieze board is in the form of strips and serves to make a strong connection between the soffit and siding.
The frieze board acts as the lumber between the edges of the siding and soffit. It provides a more secure connection to both of them. This aspect brings stability and protection.
It can be installed in two ways. One installation method is when you install them flat against the home. The second method is installing then at an angle if installed on a gable.
It is also used as a decorative horizontal trim anywhere in the home. This means that they are of different kinds, and each has its purpose. Some are plain and some have decorative aspects in them.
So, they can be used in different parts of the home.
The Purposes of Frieze Board
The frieze board has two different purposes. The first purpose is to give stability and protection to the house. And, the second purpose is to give a decorative look to the home.
It is used to cover the blank spots between the soffit and siding, and the gaps between two different types of sidings. The underside of the soffit material will be covered with the help of these boards.
The frieze board also ensures that any moisture from rain or snow doesn’t penetrate beneath the siding. It saves your house from rot, molding, and mildew issues. That’s why people prefer it on the exterior of the house.
Moreover, they give a finished and refined look to the exterior and interior of your home. They cover the ugly gaps which can give an unfinished look to your home. If you want to change the siding color or style, the presence of a frieze board can make this task easy.
Also, they provide a smooth transition between the soffit and siding. So, it provides a smooth look to your home and protects it from the side effects of harsh weather.
So, this is the introduction of the Frieze board. Now, let’s see different types of material for the frieze board.
Different Types of Materials for Your Frieze Board
As there are different types of metal roofs of the house, these boards also are made of various types of materials. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. We are going to discuss them so that you can easily make an educated decision.
1. Cedar Wood
This is a type of wood that most homeowners use. So, you will find this frieze board in almost every home. This is because it has various advantages.
The biggest advantage of this frieze board is its thermal mass. It has a heavy log structure which makes this trim capable of storing, absorbing, and releasing heat.
It means that this wood is highly energy-efficient. It will release the heat in your home when the temperature gets cold outside.
Moreover, it has a low moisture content. This means you don’t need to worry about drying them because they will dry down naturally under the air.
This frieze board is also quite affordable. It also gives a natural and rustic look to your house. So, if you want a classical house, you should use cedar wood.
But, this wood also has a few disadvantages. The main disadvantage is it needs a lot of paint. You need to paint it numerous times so that it looks attractive.
Also, this wood is prone to insect activity and moisture residue. It can eventually rot which can cause other expenses too. So, it is expensive to install and maintain.
Note: If you don’t like cedar wood, you can go for other types of wood too. These can be pine, redwood, fir, and spruce. They all have the same advantages and disadvantages as cedar wood.
2. Aluminum Frieze Board
Aluminum frieze boards are another popular choice. People prefer it over wooden trim for various reasons.
The main reason is its durability and versatility. This board plays a crucial role in eliminating the repair issues of the frieze board and soffit.
You can use them along with a wooden frieze board too. It protects them from weathering and rotting. So, it saves a lot of your money and time on maintenance.
Also, they are easy to cut and install. You can enhance their aesthetic appeal too by painting them. So, they can mingle with your home interior and exterior in this way.
That’s why people are buying this frieze board even though it is heavy and expensive.
But, there are a few downfalls of it too. This frieze board can develop dents and scratches over time. Also, they are heavy so you need a professional to install them. You can also develop rust on this board too if you have used steel nails during the installation.
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3. Vinyl Frieze Board
Vinyl is the best option for those who want to install the frieze board on their own. It is easy to install so anyone with the basic knowledge can do it.
This material is available in different colors and forms. So, it can easily complement the siding and exterior beauty of your home. Moreover, you can use this material in your soffit. It is also durable and cost-effective.
But, it has some disadvantages too which you should know.
The first one is that water can seep down into it. You need to keep this siding seal tight to avoid water damage. If the water penetrates it, this can damage the interiors of your home.
The second negative aspect is that it can contract or expand with a change in weather. Also, vinyl’s color can fade when it has a long exposure to the sun.
We believe you should keep these disadvantages in mind before buying this material.
4. Fiber Cement
This frieze board has a lot of advantages over the wood so it is preferred over it. This material has great fire resistance, an aesthetic value, durability, and easy maintenance. It is also strong because it is made of wood fiber, cement, recycled wood, and other additives. These are all strong materials.
The best thing with this material is that it has been in the world for almost 100 years. People love to use it in different projects and are still using it. We believe this fact alone is enough to show you the durability of a frieze board.
This board can also save your energy bills. Yes! You can save some cost monthly because of your frieze board. It is because the fiber cement has the capability to store heat in it. So, it will keep your house warm in the cold temperatures.
Moreover, this material has low maintenance. So, you don’t need to do any daily pressure washing to keep it maintained.
Also, it is available in different colors. You can use them in different places of your home to enhance the beauty.
But, like every other material, it also has a few disadvantages. The first drawback is it is difficult to install. Because it is heavy you need professional help to cut and install it.
If it is installed improperly, you can have various and severe building envelope issues. So, we suggest you be extra careful while installing this material.
Moreover, you need to paint this board every now and then. So, the paint will also cost you a lot of money and effort.
5. Composite Frieze Board
We believe that the wood composite boards are the best ones on the list. Yes, my friends, it is the ideal frieze board that most homeowner wants.
It has various positive factors which are not present in others. This board is made of recycled wood chips, sawdust, and plastic bonded together with epoxy resin. It is a preservative-treated material. It means this board doesn’t require much maintenance.
The ideal thing is they don’t get impacted by insects and weather conditions. Insects will not rot it so you don’t need to worry about it. This means that this board is durable and will remain with you for a long time.
Another attractive aspect is that you can easily install this frieze board yourself. It is a DIY project so it saves you installation money as well. Yes! Save your money here. It is a light material that you can easily cut, nail, and screw without any professional experience.
It has an appealing appearance so it will enhance the beauty of your home too. Moreover, you can easily paint it to match its color with the interior and exterior of your home.
But, it also has one drawback. This board’s buying and repairing expense is higher than all other frieze boards.
Conclusion
This guide has provided you some useful information on Frieze boards. Today, you have learned what a frieze board is, how to use it, and which frieze board types to use. We hope that it takes you one step closer to making the right buying decision.
For any repairs, installations, builds, or questions; We recommend you to hire a professional. Find A Pro Near You Here!
