RISE 3/8 Lap Siding 8.25 in. x 13 ft. 4 in.

RISE lap siding comes in 3/8-inch thickness, 8-1/4-inch width, and 13 feet 4 inches (160 inches) length — that last dimension is the game changer. The 160-inch length matches perfectly with 16-inch on-center stud spacing, eliminating the awkward joints you get with standard 12-foot or 16-foot boards. Made from 94% recycled content including polyester, nylon fibers from recycled carpet, vehicle liners, and fiberglass from insulation and wind turbine blades, this isn’t just green marketing fluff. It’s legitimate waste stream diversion that performs.

The 16-Inch Spacing Advantage

Most siding forces you to deal with joints falling between studs. Not RISE. At 160 inches long, these boards align with 16-inch on-center framing like they were engineered for it — because they were. Ten studs at 16 inches equals 160 inches. Your joints land on framing every time. No blocking required. No weak spots between studs.

Installation follows standard practices with minimum 1-inch lap overlap. Use 1/8-inch shank by 1/4-inch head roofing nails, drive them at least 1 inch into framing, and keep fasteners 3/4 inch or more below the top edge of the siding. Nothing special about the fastening — it’s the board length that saves time and reduces potential failure points.

Ground Contact Without Drama

RISE features a top-and-bottom water barrier that allows for incidental ground contact. Think about that. Most siding manufacturers void warranties if their product touches dirt. RISE handles it. That matters in Montana where snow piles against foundations for months, creating a wet zone right where siding meets foundation. You can bring this product down to grade without worrying about rot or warranty violations.

The synthetic fiber core resists moisture, freeze-thaw damage, and rot. No capillary action pulling water up into the material. No expansion and contraction cycles breaking down the substrate. It’s not wood pretending to handle ground contact — it’s engineered to survive there.

Specifications That Matter

Specification	Value
Thickness	3/8 in.
Width	8.25 in. (8-1/4 in.)
Length	13 ft. 4 in. (160 in.)
Recycled Content	94%
Material	Synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon, fiberglass) with MDI adhesive and phenolic paper facers
Wind Load Rating	Up to 29 psf (transverse wind load per ESR-4731)
Flame Spread Index	<= 200 (ASTM E84 Class C)
Warranty	30-Year Limited Warranty (backed by CertainTeed for RISE products)

The 29 psf wind load rating handles Montana’s variable conditions, from calm valleys to exposed ridgelines. ASTM E84 Class C flame spread rating meets code requirements without special treatments or coatings.

Installation Reality Check

RISE requires only standard woodworking tools. No special blades. No proprietary fasteners. Cut it and handle it like traditional wood. That matters when you’re training crews or working with subs who’ve never touched the product before. The learning curve is minimal because the installation mirrors what everyone already knows.

Proper installation still matters: water-resistant barrier underneath, butt joints over framing studs or sheathing, 4-inch flashing behind joints, and 3/16-inch gap at trim areas sealed with color-matched elastomeric sealant. Don’t use staples and don’t install it vertically — this is horizontal lap siding, period.

The 30-year limited warranty backed by CertainTeed gives you major manufacturer support. Not some startup’s promise — actual warranty infrastructure from a company that’ll exist in three decades.

Who Should Skip It

Don’t spec RISE if you’re just looking for the cheapest lap siding to slap on a shed. The recycled content and ground contact capability cost more than basic vinyl or bargain fiber cement. Skip it for vertical applications — the product explicitly isn’t suitable for vertical installation, fascia, or trim use.

This siding makes sense for quality builds where the foundation-to-siding transition sees real weather stress. Perfect for homes with minimal roof overhangs where siding takes direct weather hit at ground level. The 16-inch spacing match alone saves enough cutting and blocking labor to offset the additional material investment. Add the ground contact capability and 30-year warranty, and you’ve got a product that solves real problems instead of just filling a spot on the wall.

FAQ

What makes the 13’4” length special for contractors?

The 160-inch length perfectly matches 16-inch on-center stud spacing. Ten stud bays at 16 inches equals exactly 160 inches. Every board joint lands on a stud without measuring or planning. Compare that to 12-foot boards (144 inches) that create joints at 9 studs, leaving you 16 inches short. No more blocking between studs or weak joints in the field.

Can RISE siding really touch the ground?

Yes — the top-and-bottom water barrier allows for incidental ground contact. The product is specifically designed for demanding applications including ground contact thanks to its protective water barrier. Most siding warranties void the second their product touches dirt. RISE handles the wet zone where snow piles against foundations or grade isn’t perfect.

What’s actually in the 94% recycled content?

Polyester and nylon fibers from recycled carpet and vehicle liners, plus fiberglass fibers from insulation and wind turbine blades. These synthetic fibers are bound with MDI adhesive and phenolic paper facers. It’s post-industrial and post-consumer waste streams getting a second life as siding instead of landfill.

Are special tools or fasteners required?

No — standard woodworking tools work fine. Use regular 1/8-inch shank by 1/4-inch head roofing nails with minimum 1-inch penetration into framing. The material cuts and handles like traditional wood. No proprietary installation system to buy into.

How does the warranty compare to other siding options?

RISE offers a 30-year limited warranty backed by CertainTeed. That’s legitimate manufacturer backing, not some fly-by-night startup promise. Most vinyl siding offers similar warranty length but voids with ground contact. Fiber cement typically offers 30-50 year warranties but also prohibits ground contact. Wood siding warranties rarely exceed 15 years and absolutely forbid ground contact.