Algae-resistant, high-impact siding for Pipestone Lake cottages and orchard country
WTS II Contracting is a licensed Michigan residential builder specializing in vinyl siding installation throughout Eau Claire, utilizing algae-resistant technology with low-static finishes designed for heavily shaded Pipestone Lake and Indian Lake properties where biological growth thrives, with comprehensive expertise navigating permit requirements for the Village of Eau Claire, Pipestone Township, and Berrien Township jurisdictions. Our experience with Eau Claire's unique inland lake and orchard environment—including heavy-gauge impact-resistant vinyl for rural storm debris common in open farmland, high-perm house wrap systems that allow historic farmhouse framing to breathe while stopping moisture, and fanfold insulation systems that level century-old bowed walls—ensures siding that performs reliably despite dense tree canopies, lake humidity, and agricultural wind exposure.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Permit Jurisdiction | Village of Eau Claire (Veterans Blvd) OR Pipestone Township OR Berrien Township (verify address on tax bill) |
| Biological Risk | High (algae/moss growth on shaded inland lake properties) |
| Wind Exposure | High (open orchard and agricultural fields in rural areas) |
| Material Recommendation | .044" thickness with low-static finish (algae resistance) |
| Impact Resistance | Heavy-gauge .046" or insulated siding (absorbs hail and storm debris) |
| Underlayment | 3/8" fanfold insulation (leveling substrate for century-old farmhouses) |
| Typical Timeline | 1–2 weeks (includes tear-off, substrate leveling, high-perm house wrap) |
Eau Claire's defining characteristic is its inland lake geography—Pipestone Lake, Indian Lake, and numerous smaller ponds nestled among dense hardwood forests. Properties on these lakes face a siding maintenance challenge rarely seen in open suburban developments: algae, moss, and mildew growth that turns siding green-black within 2-3 years.
The biological growth occurs due to the convergence of three factors:
The algae species common on Eau Claire siding (Gloeocapsa magma and similar) colonizes vinyl surfaces through these steps:
Homeowners attempt to pressure wash the growth away, but high-pressure water:
WTS II Contracting installs vinyl with low-static, smooth finishes specifically engineered to resist biological adhesion—Mastic Carvedwood or CertainTeed Cedar Impressions with AlgaeBlock technology. These materials feature:
Additionally, we recommend:
The algae-resistant vinyl upgrade costs approximately $1.00-1.50 per square foot over standard materials. For a typical Pipestone Lake cottage (1,400 sq ft), that's $1,400-2,100 additional investment—but it prevents the green staining that makes lake homes look neglected.
Eau Claire's agricultural economy—dense fruit orchards (apples, cherries, peaches) and open farmland—creates a different siding challenge: impact damage from wind-driven debris during storms. While properties inside the Village center have some wind protection from neighboring structures, rural Pipestone Township and Berrien Township homes face open-field wind exposure.
During storm systems, winds accelerate across open orchard rows and agricultural fields with no windbreaks. These winds pick up and drive debris at high velocity:
Standard thin-gauge vinyl (.040" thickness) is brittle and cracks easily from impact. Once cracked:
WTS II Contracting recommends heavy-gauge .046" vinyl or insulated siding for all rural Eau Claire properties exposed to storm debris. These materials provide superior impact resistance:
Heavy-Gauge Solid Vinyl (.046"):
Insulated Vinyl (Foam-Backed):
The cost premium for impact-resistant siding is approximately $2.00-3.00 per square foot. For a typical rural farmhouse (2,000 sq ft), that's $4,000-6,000 additional investment—but it prevents the repeated panel replacements that standard vinyl requires after every major storm.
Eau Claire has substantial historic housing stock—many properties are century-old farmhouses built 1880-1930 with balloon framing, lap siding, and no insulation. These structures present unique challenges when retrofitting vinyl siding:
Installing vinyl directly over these uneven substrates creates an unprofessional appearance—every wave, bow, and imperfection shows through. Additionally, lack of flat backing allows vinyl to flex excessively in wind, increasing stress on fasteners.
WTS II Contracting specializes in farmhouse retrofits using a two-step leveling process:
Step 1: Furring (if needed for severe bowing):
Step 2: Fanfold Insulation (always installed):
This preparation adds 1-2 days to project timeline and approximately $1.50-2.50 per square foot in material/labor. But it's the difference between a professional installation that looks straight and flat versus an amateur job that highlights every imperfection in the 100-year-old structure.
Eau Claire has potentially confusing multi-jurisdiction governance. Your property may be governed by the Village of Eau Claire (Village Hall on Veterans Blvd), Pipestone Township, or Berrien Township—determining which one requires checking your property tax bill.
Geographic guidelines (verify with tax bill):
The confusion: all use "Eau Claire, MI" as mailing address. Homeowners assume Village jurisdiction, pull permits at Village Hall, and discover during inspection they're actually in Township jurisdiction—requiring resubmission and 2-3 week delays.
How to verify with certainty: Check property tax bill. The taxing authority listed determines building permit jurisdiction. WTS II Contracting verifies jurisdiction via tax records before submitting permits.
All three jurisdictions require building permits for siding replacement with inspections verifying:
Century-old Eau Claire farmhouses were built with balloon framing and board sheathing—construction methods that allowed wall cavities to "breathe" and dry out after moisture exposure. These structures survived 100+ years because moisture could escape through the permeable materials.
DIY installers and budget contractors make a critical error when retrofitting vinyl: they wrap farmhouses with low-perm plastic house wrap (or no house wrap at all) that traps moisture inside wall cavities.
The moisture trap sequence:
We've opened walls in farmhouses to discover extensive rot damage—studs decayed to the point of structural concern—caused by improper house wrap selection that trapped moisture for years.
WTS II Contracting uses high-perm house wrap (minimum 10 perms) on all historic farmhouse retrofits—Tyvek DrainWrap (58 perms) or Typar (54 perms). These products:
This costs no more than low-perm plastic wrap but requires knowledge about building science and historic structure preservation—knowledge budget contractors lack.
Rural Eau Claire properties—particularly those near orchards and agricultural fields—face intense pressure from stinging insects seeking nesting sites. Bees, wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets infiltrate attics through poorly vented or unscreened soffits, creating dangerous situations:
Standard solid soffit (no venting) causes different problems—inadequate attic ventilation leads to:
WTS II Contracting installs perforated vinyl soffit with integral 1/8" screening on all rural properties. This system:
Perforated soffit costs approximately $0.50-0.75 per linear foot more than solid soffit—minimal investment that prevents recurring pest control expenses and ventilation problems.
We use contractor-grade materials specifically selected for inland lake algae resistance, agricultural impact hazards, and historic structure preservation:
Yes. Pipestone Township, Berrien Township, and the Village of Eau Claire all require building permits for vinyl siding replacement. The permit inspection process includes zoning compliance verification and wind-load inspection—particularly important in rural areas with open-field wind exposure. Inspectors verify that proper house wrap is installed (high-perm products required for historic farmhouses to allow moisture escape), rotted substrate has been replaced, flashing is installed around all openings, and wind fastening meets code for the specific exposure zone. Many addresses use "Eau Claire" mailing but fall under Township jurisdiction rather than Village—check your property tax bill to determine which office to apply through, or WTS II Contracting will verify jurisdiction before submitting permits to prevent delays caused by applying to the wrong entity.
The most effective approach combines proper material selection with environmental management. WTS II Contracting recommends high-quality vinyl with finishes specifically designed to resist biological adhesion—products like Mastic Carvedwood with smooth, low-static surfaces or CertainTeed Cedar Impressions with AlgaeBlock technology that incorporates algaecide additives. These materials shed organic matter more effectively than standard vinyl with deep woodgrain textures that trap spores and debris. Additionally: (1) Trim back tree overhangs - Allow at least 4-6 hours of direct sun exposure on walls, particularly north exposures. Sunlight is the best natural algae preventative. (2) Annual gentle cleaning - Garden hose rinse (NOT pressure washer) with mild detergent or diluted bleach solution (30% bleach, 70% water) 2-3 times per year kills existing algae without damaging siding surface. (3) Optional zinc strips - Copper or zinc strips installed at roof line allow rainwater to carry metal ions down siding, inhibiting algae growth. Pressure washing damages siding and only provides temporary relief—algae returns within months.
We prefer to tear off old siding to inspect for rot, verify sheathing condition, and install proper house wrap, but we can install fanfold insulation over existing wood siding if the structure is sound and meets specific criteria. Before deciding, we conduct inspection to verify: (1) No active rot - Any rotted sections must be removed and replaced regardless of approach. (2) Substrate flatness - Old lap siding creates uneven surface. We install 3/8" fanfold insulation to level substrate, but severe warping may require tear-off. (3) Moisture management - Century-old farmhouses need to breathe. If keeping old siding, we must use high-perm house wrap (Tyvek DrainWrap with 58 perms) to allow historic framing to release interior moisture—critical for structure preservation. (4) Sheathing verification - Many farmhouses have minimal or no sheathing. We verify adequate nail base exists. Advantages of tear-off: allows complete inspection, ensures proper moisture barrier, adds fanfold for leveling, and allows substrate repairs. Tear-off adds 1-2 days to timeline but prevents covering up problems that worsen over time.
WTS II Contracting also serves surrounding communities. Learn about our vinyl siding services in:
Get a detailed estimate from a licensed Michigan residential builder who understands inland lake algae resistance, orchard impact hazards, and historic farmhouse preservation.
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