Allura’s factory-prefinished Shake Select delivers what Montana contractors actually need — siding that arrives ready to install with a 15-year paint warranty already applied. Allura offers a 15-year dedicated finish warranty; Hardie often relies on on-site painting for most stock items. No weather delays waiting for painting windows. No callbacks for early finish failure. The fiber cement panels handle Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles and wildfire risk while looking like authentic cedar shakes.
Factory-Applied Color System That Works
The Spectrum Color Confidence system changes the siding game. Factory-applied, industrial-strength exterior paint (Sherwin-Williams or Spectrum Color system), applied to all 5 sides means complete protection from day one. 30 curated solid colors and stains give contractors real options beyond the typical 5-6 choices.
That 15-year finish warranty matters in Montana’s UV-intense elevation. Compare that to field-painted fiber cement that starts fading after 5-7 years. The industrial-grade Sherwin-Williams coating survives temperature swings better than anything applied on-site.
The siding can be factory finished with custom stains or solid colors, with warranties of 15 years for stains and 25 years for solid colors. The prefinishing process provides five-sided protection, ensuring a uniform, high-quality finish immediately upon installation, eliminating weather delays and environmental concerns. Five-sided coverage prevents moisture intrusion at cut edges — the failure point for field-painted products.
Fire Resistance and Structural Specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Fire Rating | Class A Fire-Resistant rating |
| CalFire WUI Listing | 8170-2180 series |
| Material | Fiber-cement board (Cellulose fibers, sand, silica, Portland cement) |
| Weight | 3 lbs/sq ft |
| Weather Classification | noncombustible |
| Pest Resistance | resists termites, pests |
| Flood Rating | FEMA Class 5 |
The product is manufactured by Plycem USA, LLC, and is classified as a Grade II Type A fiber cement siding that complies with multiple building codes, including fire and flood resistance standards. That CalFire WUI approval matters for Montana’s expanding wildfire interface zones. Three pounds per square foot provides real wind resistance without requiring specialized fastening systems.
Panel Dimensions and Coverage Reality
16 in x 48 in (standard) or 12 in x 48 in panels mean faster installation than individual shakes. 7 in (Straight Edge), also available in 5 in exposure options let contractors match existing shake patterns or meet specific design requirements.
| Panel Configuration | Dimensions | Exposure | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Straight Edge | 16” x 48” | 7” | 2 sq ft per panel |
| Narrow Straight Edge | 12” x 48” | 5” | Calculated: 1.33 sq ft |
| Staggered Edge | 16” x 48” | 6” | Calculated: 1.67 sq ft |
| Half Round/Octagon | 16” x 48” | 7” | ~2 sq ft |
5/16 in (0.3125 in) or 1/4 in (6.35 mm) thickness options. The 5/16” handles better for most applications — less prone to breakage during installation. Available in various sizes (12” and 16” shakes) and edges (straight, staggered, half-round, octagon) means matching existing profiles or creating accent patterns without switching product lines.
Installation Requirements and Compatibility
Works with standard substrates contractors already use. Wood sheathing, plywood, OSB, or metal studs with appropriate backer; approved for Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). No special tools beyond standard fiber cement equipment — scoring knife, wet-cutting blade, corrosion-resistant fasteners.
Compatible with standard fiber-cement accessories and Sherwin-Williams paint stores for color matching simplifies the supply chain. The Allura ecosystem includes:
- Allura Trim (5/4 in reversible or 8/4 trim)
- Allura Soffit and ceiling panels
- Allura Backer and Backer with TripleBlock
- Allura Spectrum Touch-Up Kits
That TripleBlock backer matters in Montana — integrated WRB, continuous insulation, and drainage plane in one product. Speeds installation while meeting modern energy codes.
The Bottom Line
Allura offers a 30-year or 50-year product warranty vs. Hardie’s 30-year warranty. Add the 15-year factory finish warranty and CalFire WUI approval — this product earns its place on Montana jobsites. The randomized pattern to avoid the ‘repetitive look’ common in competitor shakes actually delivers. No more callbacks about pattern repetition visible from the street.
Not perfect. The panels still weigh enough to make upper-story installation tough. Touch-up paint never matches factory finish perfectly. But for contractors tired of scheduling painting crews and dealing with early finish failures, Allura’s prefinished shake system solves real problems. That 15-year paint warranty alone changes the conversation with homeowners about long-term value.
Product FAQ
What makes Allura’s factory finish different from field painting? The prefinishing process provides five-sided protection, ensuring a uniform, high-quality finish immediately upon installation, eliminating weather delays and environmental concerns. Industrial-grade Sherwin-Williams paint applied in controlled conditions beats any field application.
How does Allura Shake Select handle Montana’s wildfire zones? Class A Fire-Resistant rating and CalFire WUI Listings (8170-2180 series) mean it’s approved for wildland-urban interface installations. The siding is classified as noncombustible — critical for insurance and code compliance.
What’s the real coverage per panel? 2 sq ft per panel (16x48 panel) for standard 16” x 48” panels with 7” exposure. Factor 10% waste for cuts and starter courses.
Does it really look like cedar shakes? Traditional Cedar wood-grain texture, random non-repeating pattern delivers authentic appearance. Allura Shake Select features a randomized pattern to avoid the ‘repetitive look’ common in competitor shakes.
What edge profiles are available? Available in various sizes (12” and 16” shakes) and edges (straight, staggered, half-round, octagon). Straight edge remains most popular for clean installation and maximum coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the actual warranty on Allura Shake Select’s factory paint finish?
Allura Shake Select Factory Prefinished (Spectrum) includes a 15-year warranty on stains and extends to 25 years for solid colors. This factory-applied finish warranty is separate from the 30-year or 50-year product warranty, giving contractors dual protection against both substrate failure and finish degradation.
Q: How much does Allura Shake Select weigh compared to real cedar shakes?
Allura Shake Select weighs approximately 3 lbs per square foot, which is heavier than cedar but manageable for installation. The 16” x 48” panels cover 2 square feet each, so you’re handling about 6 pounds per panel during installation.
Q: What fire rating does Allura Shake Select carry for WUI zones?
Allura Shake Select carries a Class A Fire-Resistant rating and CalFire WUI Listings (8170-2180 series), making it approved for wildland-urban interface installations. The fiber cement composition is classified as noncombustible and meets FEMA Class 5 flood damage resistance standards.
Q: What actual colors does the Spectrum system offer?
The Spectrum Color Confidence system includes 30 curated solid colors and stains applied at the factory using Sherwin-Williams industrial-strength exterior paint. Allura offers 25+ proprietary colors compared to more limited options from competitors, with all colors covered by the 15-year finish warranty.
Q: Can Allura Shake Select be installed on ICF walls?
Yes, Allura Shake Select is approved for Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) along with standard substrates like wood sheathing, plywood, OSB, or metal studs. Installation requires standard fiber cement tools including corrosion-resistant fasteners and wet-cutting blades.
Q: What thickness options are available for Allura Shake Select?
Allura Shake Select comes in 5/16 inch (0.3125 in) or 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) thickness options, with the 5/16” being more durable during handling and installation. The panels are available in 16” x 48” or 12” x 48” dimensions with exposure options of 5”, 6”, or 7” depending on the edge profile selected.
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