Don Martin's Direct Siding

Don's family does not know how to install siding, though he claims 30+ years experience. When installing our LP SmartSide DiamondKote Rigidstack siding, he removed the spline that insures consistent spacing and increased strength (375% stronger per the manufacturer). Because of this, the lap siding on the east side of the house is about 2 inches lower than the west side. We were force to use board and batten (or as Don calls it, borden batten) to separate the two sides. Don refused to have the battens of the gables line up with the lower siding, claims no one does that. Check your neighborhood, I couldn't find a single house that did not line it up. An extremely crucial installation instruction is expansion joints. Don did not allow for expansion of the siding. Before he was close to finis