ACI Factory-Finished Benefits

ACI FACTORY FINISHED FAQ- Remember any color, anytime, creative matches welcome!

Does factory finishing cost more then on-site applications?

ACI factory finishing costs less! In fact you get more coating at a lower cost on everything that is factory finished by ACI. Imagine you have one minute, put a paint brush in your hand and start painting a 10' board (on the ground or on a ladder). By the time you get done with one face and about five feet the ACI calibrated factory finishing system has coated the entire face, edges and the back side if requested. No brush marks, strokes or spray patterns all at approximately 100 feet a minute. Over and above the comparison of coating costs, the on-site applicator will be charging you for prep protection on windows, roofs, decks, vehicles (we hope), to avoid over spray and drips(which you will never have with ACI factory finishing). On top of coatings and prep additional costs there are very real charges like workman's comp for ladder and scaffold work. CONCLUSION: Factory finishing costs less (as much as 40%), very uniformed and the face, all edges and upon request the backside of your siding has been coated. Most manufactures recommend factory finishing as the best process and offer the longest and best coating warranty available. Factory finishing efficiently coats the siding which has to be installed anyway, reduces labor costs, improves job site turnover and closings; decreases on site liability and management for the builder/contractor; and the homeowner gets their home finished sooner and better!

Do I really NEED to pre-finish my exterior siding and why should I specify this process?

Specific to wood.... According to recent research by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, unfinished siding products exposed to the elements for as little as two to four weeks experience a significant loss of paint adhesion to the substrate. In one study it was reported that paint adhesion to western red cedar DECREASED up to FIFTY PERCENT when the wood was exposed for about four weeks!! The decrease in adhesion is due to photodegredation, the photo-oxidation of the surface fibers of the wood caused by the high energy, ultraviolet light portion of the light spectrum. There is very bad information out there about cedar. Cedar siding generally has been kiln dried and has acceptable moisture content requiring no acclimatization.
Upon exterior installation of "raw" or uncoated cedar you have just re-introduced moisture to the board and this will negatively affect your coating adhesion. Instead, if you use the ACI factory finishing process, ACI will chart and perform a moisture check of every unit, if moisture is recorded at a reading above 16% ACI will separate, rack and acclimatize all substrates in our temperature controlled warehouse. Simply your materials will receive the best possible opportunity for substrate stability and coating longevity. An ACI factory finished coat on all sides provides the maximum protection, maximum warranties (up to 25 years). Feel confident and return to REAL substrates. Enjoy the beauty and the low maintenance benefits provided to you by nature and the process of factory finishing through ACI! You only have one chance to save and protect...request ACI factory finishing before it goes on the wall.

Specific to Fiber cement...Composites, Engineered siding, trim...Most of these manufactures have warranty limitations from 30 days to 120 days before the manufactures original prime coat will fail and void warranty if not coated. Trust that the manufactures coating that has been applied is not worth risking long term exposure to the "elements" specifically in the mid-west. Coating longevity will always be only as good as the condition of the "base" or prime coat; specific to the mid-west exterior elements almost double in severity and intensity and virtually eliminate almost 9 months of appropriate coating and substrate conditions and temperatures. On top of ACI's board to board coating cost savings and uniformity from end to end, simply do not risk warranty expiration and definitely do not bet or mess with Mother Natures daily plan. The mid-west can enjoy low maintenance coatings that allow you to select any color, any profile, improve home value and resell, and provide you the freedom to change color if you want vs. removing your disposable siding products and paying for install all over again. Some insurance companies are offering incentives to switch from vinyl disposable plastics and steel to hail resistant, wind resistant, fire and termite resistant long term quality substrates like fiber cement, engineered and cedar siding products. All of which ACI will gladly source for you! You only have one chance to save and protect...request ACI factory finishing before it goes on the wall!

Still not sure, not convinced, still thinking... who else does this "factory finishing"?

Almost every industry from cars to combines to interior moldings to NASA is produced by factory finishing. Would you ever purchase a "raw" metal vehicle? Probably not; why because the coating is calibrated, detailed and cost effective. Most interior millwork sold across the country is sold factory finished from doors to moldings, why, because the coating is better, the atmosphere is controlled, the cost is less, and the installer is more efficient saving additional bottom line costs to your project. Specific to the exterior sidings and trim; National and regional manufacture's of siding and related products have seen double digit growth from 1995 to today. Why? Again, because it costs less, the material is immediately protected from the exposure to the exterior elements, you get the best coating and of any atmosphere for exterior substrates to be protected from the exterior elements...the mid-west presents the most challenges and temperature diversity then anywhere around the country. Costs less, better coating, best protection and warranty--- why wouldn't you?

The contractor says it is hard to install and it doesn't work?

If that was the case factory finishers around the world would not be in business for the last 100 years, though I really think "they" haven't worked or been trained by ACI professionals. Installation of pre-finished products does require a professional craftsman and we would agree that not all contractors can or should install factory finished exterior products. Change has always been difficult which is why ACI offers installation techniques and guidelines to those willing to offer the factory finish value to the home or property owner. Unfortunately the contractors that don't embrace change ACI has several referral based professional crews to insure a successful factory finish installation. Professional carpenters can still use the same tools they always have used to install unfinished siding, just have to change technique around handling and keeping boards clean, all techniques a good carpenter knows. After a few jobs, most professionals say it's just like putting up raw siding. Your best investment is your home or property, you want to use top quality siding and craftsman. Remember what you spent on your interior doors and moldings...well the exterior is what protects everything you invested in your interior and you! You only have one chance to save and protect...request ACI factory finishing before it goes on the wall!

The contractor says it will cost more to install?

That is correct it will cost a little more to install. The real comparison is: how much did you improve the quality of coating, save on field painting costs, eliminated one on-site trade, controlled the finish schedule on top of finishing sooner after the small cost increase from a professional installer? The truth is the total package will cost less. The siding doesn't put itself up, so we know you have to install the siding anyway; why not do two things at once. ACI's motto is "FINISH" before you start and Go up the ladder once! Get a piece of paper out and compare the costs of installing raw materials and then hiring a on-site painter for a field coat keeping in mind the length of time both will require to complete, get paid and get off "your" project. Compared to; one trade installing finished siding, providing immediate curb appeal and board protection so when that last board is installed the project is basically complete. A factory finished coating is already 40% less then most on-site applications, you get a full board painted any color or match you would like, your job closed earlier and you get the maximum printed warranty available...at the end of the project the minor increase in labor is justified; you saved time, improved efficiency, improved coating quality, paid less coating cost by 40% and you finished the job sooner. You only have one chance to save and protect...request ACI factory finishing before it goes on the wall!

What is the life expectancy of transparent and solid coatings when applied on-site vs. ACI factory finished?

The coating life triples when ACI factory finishes. It's no secret and it certainly isn't a new process; for over 100 years the ability to cover the back side of siding through scientific testing and professional equipment that calibrates mil coverage has been available and is the difference. Putting on too much back side coating will not allow the siding to breath, putting on too little will allow moisture intrusion and premature face coat peeling, bubbling and cracking. The siding becomes a barrier from the exterior elements but can also be affected by the interior elements and pressures. In the winter, cool air from the exterior is trying to get in and warm air from the interior is trying to get out. In the summer, warm air from the exterior is trying to get in and cool air from the interior is trying to get out. This cycle puts amazing pressure on the back side of all siding products and without proper installation of water barriers and siding combined with the no back side coating the repainting of the siding through traditional on-site applications is much sooner. A sandwich needs two pieces of bread to keep the meat in; most siding needs the face coated and the backside coated to keep moisture out. You only have one chance to save and protect...request ACI factory finishing before it goes on the wall!