This Massachusetts class action brings suit against an array of companies under the names Allura, Plycem, and Elementia about the quality of their cement fiber siding. The complaint alleges that the siding is defective and cracks, splits, and breaks, allowing water to enter and do further damage to the siding and building.
The class for this action is all persons and entities who own structures in Massachusetts on which the defendants’ fiber cement siding is installed.
The companies mark the siding as durable, with a life of fifty years. The complaint quotes a number of promises made by the companies: “Allura Fiber Cement products resist damage from hail or termite attacks, resist rot, are non-combustible, and free from manufacturing defects[,]” and “combining the appearance and workability of wood with the durability of specially formulated fiber cement, Allura Lap Siding not only looks great but lasts considerably longer than traditional exterior wall classing or vinyl siding.”
In reality, the complaint says “the Siding has not lived up to Defendants’ representations, given the early and severe failure, and given that the Siding requires unexpected maintenance, premature repair, and replacement within the first five (5) years of its service life.”
According to the complaint, the siding cracks, splits, breaks, and even falls off of structures where it is installed. This creates pathways where water can enter and damage the structure, including its framing, insulation, drywall, and interiors.
What’s the problem with the siding? The complaint claims that the companies used too much fly ash in making it and that the fly ash is unevenly distributed. Other companies use common grain and silica for their cement sidings, the complaint says, but fly ash is cheaper than cement, being a by-product of coal-burning power plants. The excessive amount of fly ash in the siding and its uneven distribution then leads to brittleness, porosity, and other problems, which the better grain and silica sand formulations do not have.
Plaintiff Antonetta Luongo had the siding installed on her home when it was built in 2014. In the summer of 2015, she notice cracking in two or three places. By 2018, she says the siding had significant cracking and discloring in fifty-two siding boards. Allura inspected the siding, but said there was “no warrantable condition or manufacturing” in the siding and that the problem were due to improper installation.
The complaint claims breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentation, and negligence.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Allura, Plycem, and Elementia Defective Fiber Cement Siding MA Complaint
January 22, 2019
This Massachusetts class action brings suit against an array of companies under the names Allura, Plycem, and Elementia about the quality of their cement fiber siding. The complaint alleges that the siding is defective and cracks, splits, and breaks, allowing water to enter and do further damage to the siding and building.
allura_fiber_cement_siding_compl.pdfCase Event History
Allura, Plycem, and Elementia Defective Fiber Cement Siding MA Complaint
January 22, 2019
This Massachusetts class action brings suit against an array of companies under the names Allura, Plycem, and Elementia about the quality of their cement fiber siding. The complaint alleges that the siding is defective and cracks, splits, and breaks, allowing water to enter and do further damage to the siding and building.
allura_fiber_cement_siding_compl.pdf