RISE siding breaks the cardinal rule of lap siding — it allows incidental ground contact without rotting. Made from 94% recycled content (polyester from carpets and vehicle liners, nylon and fiberglass from insulation and wind turbine blades), this synthetic fiber composite delivers something fiber cement and wood can’t touch.
The 3/8” lap siding comes in 8.25” widths with 7” exposure. But here’s what matters: the 13’4” length (160 inches) fits 16” O.C. framing perfectly. That’s 20 inches longer than standard 12-foot boards. Fewer seams, less waste, cleaner look.
What Makes RISE Different
The protective water barrier on both sides changes everything. Traditional siding keeps water out from one direction. RISE protects from both sides, which is why it resists rot even with ground contact. That’s not marketing fluff — it’s ICC-ES ESR-4731 certified.
The 94% recycled content isn’t just environmental virtue signaling. Those recycled fibers create a substrate that handles Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles better than cement-based products. Freeze/thaw resistance matters when you’re dealing with 100+ cycles per year.
More durable than fiber cement, easier to handle. That’s the contractor feedback that counts. No special blades required. No silica dust. No cracking when you nail near edges. The PPG Duracolor machine-applied paint comes in smooth or woodgrain textures, backed by a 15-year finish warranty.
Installation and Compatibility
Standard lap siding installation with smart details. 16-inch max stud spacing, 6d hot-dipped galvanized nails, 1 to 1.25 inch overlap. The kicker: 4-inch wide flashing required at joints. That’s wider than typical, but it’s what keeps a 30-year warranty valid.
Matching trim available in ColoRISE colors, plus touch-up kits and ASTM C920 color-matched elastomeric sealant. Everything color-coordinated from the factory.
Performance Reality
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 3/8 inch |
| Width | 8.25 inches |
| Length | 13 feet 4 inches (160 inches) |
| Exposure | 7 inches |
| Recycled Content | 94% |
| Substrate Warranty | 30 years |
| Finish Warranty | 15 years |
Similar look to wood but moisture and rot resistant. That’s underselling it. This stuff laughs at the moisture problems that destroy wood siding in valley-bottom installations where spring snowmelt keeps ground wet for weeks.
The 13’4” length that fits 16” O.C. studs exactly isn’t accidental. Someone did their homework on reducing waste and labor. When you’re paying crews by the hour, fewer joints means money saved.
CALGreen 2025 and Florida Building Code 2020 certifications tell you this isn’t experimental technology. It’s proven in the toughest building environments — California’s environmental standards and Florida’s hurricane zones.
FAQ
Q: Can RISE siding really touch the ground without problems?
A: Yes — it’s the only hard siding allowing incidental ground contact. The protective water barrier on both sides prevents rot. Still need proper clearances for code, but snow buildup against the siding won’t destroy it like wood or fiber cement.
Q: What exactly is in this 94% recycled content?
A: Recycled polyester from carpets and vehicle liners, nylon and fiberglass fibers from insulation and wind turbine blades. The material is synthetic fiber composite — not cement, not wood fiber, not vinyl.
Q: How does RISE compare to fiber cement for installation?
A: Easier to handle than fiber cement. No silica dust when cutting. Won’t crack when nailing near edges. Standard woodworking tools work fine. The weight difference matters when crews are hanging siding all day.
Q: What’s the real advantage of 13’4” lengths?
A: The 160-inch length fits 16” O.C. framing perfectly — 10 stud bays with no waste. Reduces joints compared to standard 12’ boards. Fewer joints means less caulking, less potential for water infiltration, cleaner appearance.
Q: Does the ground contact feature matter in Montana?
A: Absolutely. Spring snowmelt creates weeks of ground moisture. Traditional siding needs 6-8” clearance that often gets violated by snow buildup, mulch, or grade changes over time. RISE’s ground contact resistance provides insurance against these common failures.
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