Northwest Factory Finishes ColoRISE Factory Finished 3/8 Lap Siding (8.25 in. x 13 ft. 4 in.)

ColoRISE lap siding brings 94% recycled content to Montana jobsites — the highest recycled percentage in the siding industry. The 13 ft. 4 in. (160 in.) length means fewer butt joints than standard 12-foot boards. For contractors tired of fighting moisture infiltration and woodpecker damage, this synthetic siding offers measurable advantages over both fiber cement and engineered wood.

Recycled Content That Actually Performs

The RISE® Technology uses a patented synthetic fiber blend made from 94% recycled materials, primarily post-consumer carpet fibers. No wood content whatsoever. That matters when Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles hit — the material is freeze-thaw stable with no expansion/contraction issues common with wood-based products.

Unlike LP SmartSide’s wood-strand composition, ColoRISE’s fully synthetic makeup delivers superior performance in high-moisture and ground-contact areas where OSB might swell. The recycled fibers create a substrate that won’t rot, won’t absorb moisture, and won’t feed carpenter ants.

Installation Reality Check

The lightweight design allows for easier one-person installation compared to fiber cement. More importantly for crews: no crystalline silica dust when cutting, unlike fiber cement boards. Standard woodworking tools handle the material fine — circular saw with carbide-tipped blade.

The installation specs are straightforward:

Specification	Value
Nominal width	8.25 in.
Length	13 ft. 4 in. (160 in.)
Thickness	3/8 in.
Exposure	7 in. (standard)
Coverage per board	Approx. 7.78 sq. ft. (at 7 in. exposure)
Stud spacing	Maximum 16 in. on center (O.C.)
Fastening	6d or 8d stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized common nails

Maintain a 1/8 in. gap at all butt joints and where siding meets trim. Butt joints can be caulked or covered with H-molding/joint covers.

Montana-Specific Performance

Northwest Factory Finishes operates from their 140,000 sq. ft. facility in Bonner, MT, processing nearly 10 million feet annually. They understand Montana weather.

The material addresses three critical Montana challenges. First, freeze-thaw stability — no expansion and contraction that opens gaps for moisture. Second, impact resistance — high impact and hail resistance matters when summer storms roll through. Third, the factory finish — ColoRISE™ Factory Finish uses a proprietary machine-applied coating process with PPG Duracolor® paint, backed by a 15-year limited finish warranty covering peeling, flaking, and excessive fading.

The substrate itself carries a 30-year limited warranty, with some distribution programs citing up to 50 years under specific programs like Armorshell. Available in 22 solid colors and 8 Timber Series wood-look options.

The system is fully compatible with RISE Trim and Northwest Factory Finishes matching soffit, and works with all standard weather-resistive barriers (WRB).

FAQ

How does the 13’4” length actually reduce joints compared to 12’ boards? At 13 ft. 4 in. (160 inches), each board is 16 inches longer than standard 12-foot siding. On a 40-foot wall run, you’d need four 12-foot boards with three butt joints, versus three 13’4” boards with only two butt joints — a 33% reduction in potential moisture entry points.

What maintenance does the factory finish require? The 15-year limited finish warranty covers peeling, flaking, and excessive fading. The ColoRISE™ Factory Finish uses PPG Duracolor® paint in a proprietary machine-applied coating process. Touch-up paint kits are essential for sealing field-cut edges.

Can this siding handle ground contact applications? Yes — the fully synthetic makeup (no wood-based components) delivers superior performance in high-moisture and ground-contact areas where OSB-based products might swell. The material offers superior moisture and rot resistance with no wood-based components.

What about woodpecker damage? The synthetic fiber composition provides better woodpecker resistance than cedar or T1-11. The material features high impact resistance, which typically correlates with woodpecker deterrence.

How does installation compare to fiber cement? Lightweight design allows easier one-person installation, and critically, cutting produces no crystalline silica dust unlike fiber cement boards. Standard woodworking tools work fine — circular saw with carbide-tipped blade.