CertainTeed WeatherBoards fiber-cement siding was marketed with a 50-year warranty, but homeowners reported warping, cracking, shrinking, bowing, gaps, and other early failures. The resulting dispute shows why the length of a limited warranty is only part of the story: labor, paint, proration, and the scope of replacement can determine what help is actually available.
How the WeatherBoards dispute reached a $103 million settlement
The first lawsuit was filed in 2010. As additional cases came in, they were combined into a class-action settlement involving about 300,000 homes and buildings.
Homeowners alleged that the siding failed well before the promised 50 years and could require full-wall replacement. CertainTeed maintained that the product met company and industry standards and said that many failures resulted from installation or storage issues.
In 2014, the parties agreed to a $103 million settlement. It allowed homeowners to submit claims for cash payments toward replacing defective siding, including labor and paint rather than materials alone. Historically, payments were prorated based on how long the siding had been installed, with newer installations receiving more.
The settlement also treated widespread damage differently from an isolated board problem: it allowed full-wall replacement when more than 5% of the siding on that wall was damaged. Payments were based on a national construction cost estimator. Homeowners received 50% of their claim upfront and could receive more later if money remained in the fund. Claims were allowed for up to six years while warranty rights remained intact.
These are historical settlement terms, not a current promise of payment for a WeatherBoards problem.
What the 50-year limited warranty actually covered
CertainTeed's warranty provided full labor and material coverage only during the first two years, called the SureStart period. After that, it provided materials only, with 2% annual proration.
That structure helps explain the dispute. Replacement siding may be only one part of the expense; removal, installation, and paint can also matter. A 50-year label does not, by itself, mean 50 years of full replacement coverage.
For WeatherBoards or any similarly structured warranty, the terms that change the homeowner's financial exposure are:
- whether labor and paint are included;
- when proration begins and how it is calculated;
- whether coverage is limited to materials; and
- whether widespread damage can justify replacing a full wall rather than a few boards.
The reported claim volume adds important context
CertainTeed said it processed 19,520 siding warranty claims from 1999 through 2013, which it described as 1.7% of all sales. That figure was part of the company's position that most customers had no product issues. At the same time, the settlement's labor, paint, and full-wall provisions addressed costs that could exceed the value of replacement boards alone for affected homeowners.
Document the condition without assuming the cause
Warping or cracking does not establish why siding failed. In this dispute, homeowners alleged a product-performance problem, while CertainTeed pointed to installation and storage. Weather damage may also be evaluated separately under an insurance policy.
Photographs, purchase and installation records, warranty paperwork, and a written condition report can help a homeowner present the facts to the manufacturer, insurer, or counsel. A report can identify affected walls and visible patterns such as gaps, cracks, bowing, or warped boards, but it does not determine the cause or guarantee warranty or insurance coverage. Review the written warranty and insurance policy with the parties responsible for deciding coverage; for a legal question, consult appropriate counsel.
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Source: CertainTeed WeatherBoards settlement discussion
FAQ
What problems were reported with CertainTeed WeatherBoards siding?
Homeowners reported warping, cracking, shrinking, bowing, gaps, and other signs of early failure. Some alleged that the damage was extensive enough to require full-wall replacement.
What did the 2014 CertainTeed WeatherBoards settlement provide?
The $103 million settlement allowed claims for cash payments toward replacing defective siding, including labor and paint. It also allowed full-wall replacement when more than 5% of the siding on that wall was damaged.
How did WeatherBoards settlement payments work?
Payments were prorated by the time the siding had been installed, with newer installations receiving more. Homeowners received 50% of their claim upfront and could potentially receive more if money remained in the settlement fund.
Why could a 50-year WeatherBoards warranty still leave replacement costs?
The warranty provided full labor and material coverage for the first two years only. After that, it provided material coverage with 2% annual proration, which could leave labor, paint, removal, and other costs outside the available coverage.
Does warped or cracked siding prove a manufacturer defect?
No. Homeowners alleged product-performance problems in the WeatherBoards dispute, while CertainTeed cited installation and storage issues. Documentation can help present the condition, but it does not establish the cause or determine insurance or warranty coverage.
