masonite vs brick home (Charleston: sales, real estate, insurance)

[kyahuag]

Could someone (or many) respond about their experience and knowledge about brick vs. masonite homes please? I am mostly enquiring about longivity, durability, value and maintainance. I personally have no experience of "masonite", although have read a little about it.

[moedog]

Of course, Brick would be greatly preferable--its the ultimate no maintainance material. Houses built of brick get lower homeowner insurance rates because of fire retardation. Masonite is definately a material to avoid, especially here in SC where the humidity is high. It will need to be painted every couple years---even more often that real wood siding. Within ten years or so it will begin to splinter and just basically come to pieces. Masonite is virtually never used for new homes or replacement siding in SC any more. The two alternatives is vinyl and hardiplank, one of which you will eventually use to reside your home if you are unlucky enough to have Masonite.

[Condorll]

If you are considering the Charleston area, it is in an earthquake zone.

Typically, brick homes in an earthquake zone are more expensive to insure as the do not flex like wood or siding. I have seen this first hand on the west coast whereby after an earthquake, wood homes are intact and some brick homes will have cracks running through the brick requiring a complete replacement.

Brick homes in the west coast earthquake prone areas can be 5-10 times more expensive to insure. Check with your insurance agent first.

[lthompson]

Brick would be the material of choice. I own a brick home in downtown Charleston and was not affected by any "earthquake" insurance, only flood.

[WhyMe]

With Masonite, if water ever gets to the inner core, which it will, it swells up and then proceeds to crumble into brown mushy sawdust.

The outer skin of Masonite will protect it, and Masonite does look good. But it is almost a certanity that the outer skin will develope an opening for moisture to enter into.

If you have ever seen what water will do to particle board (not talking about OSB), then this is what happens to Masonite.

On the bright side, if you find a very nice house with masonite that can be negotiated down, then you can replace the masonite with Hardi Plank, and have a house that will not rot.

Do not put vinyl siding over masonite. You are only covering up the rot, and in reality creating conditions that will cause faster deteriotation.

Believe me, I have used masonite on some jobs in the past, 10-15 years later most of it needs replacing.

[kyahuag]

Thanks to all of you for the quick response.......we almost made an offer on a masonite home covered in vinyl...saved in time by your responses! We now have a masdonite home in mind that we will try to negotiate.

[USCJoe]

The question posed about masonite and the answers from two of the forum members should once again highlight the importance of having representation from qualified professionals, be they a Realtor, Inspector, appraiser or anyone involved in a real estate transaction. I have read with interests comments about purchasing and selling a home by ones self with only a closing attorney and sometimes and an inspector involved in the transaction. All of the professionals mentioned above are "worth their weight in gold" in providing a buyer or seller with information and guidance throughout the real estate process. Although a qualified licensed inspector would more than likely identify the existance of masonite siding and any real or potential problems with such a product in connection with a home under consideration, in most cases it would have been much better and easier to have been aware of the potential for expensive repairs or replacement prior to negotiating the sales price or the seller setting the list price in the beginning. Although it is difficult to distinguish between masonite and other similar type materials, many of which have the potential for similar problems, an experienced and competant Realtor should at least be alert for potential problems that may affect the value of a home prior to enering into negotiations.