Vinyl Siding FAQ
- Is vinyl siding the way to go?
- How does vinyl siding compare with other siding materials?
- Isn’t it less costly to just repaint my home?
- What exterior design options do I have with vinyl siding?
- My home is partially brick and partially wood siding. Can I still use vinyl siding?
- What accessories and trim are available?
- But is vinyl siding really as durable as everyone says?
Fiber Cement Siding FAQ
- What is fiber cement siding?
- What makes fiber-cement siding so unique?
- Can fiber-cement be painted?
- How is fiber cement fastened to my structure?
- How much care and maintenance is involved with fiber cement siding?
Vinyl Siding FAQ
Is vinyl siding the way to go?
Vinyl siding’s outstanding features and benefits have made it the most popular siding material in America today. It’s the material of choice on new luxury homes … and the first choice for remodeling projects large and small. Vinyl siding offers flexible design options that make it ideal for contemporary homes, as well as stately, century old Victorians. What’s more, vinyl siding provides a wide range of colors, trim options, requires almost no maintenance and provides excellent, lasting value.
How does vinyl siding compare with other siding materials?
In a way, its almost no contest. When compared on the basis of initial cost, maintenance costs, appearance, durability and value, vinyl siding is clearly superior.
- Wood sidings. Initial costs vary: premium clapboard installations are expensive, hardboard installations less so (but hardboard is also far less durable). Both need constant, costly maintenance. And appearance and durability are directly related to maintenance schedules.
- Metal sidings. Moderately expensive. Less maintenance than wood; however, can be costly to repair dents and scratches, a common problem with metal sidings. Appearance is less than premium, especially as metal sidings age.
- Stucco. Like brick and stone, stucco is costly to apply. And because stucco is less durable than brick or stone, it develops cracks and bulges that need regular-and costly-attention. Appearance is usually dependent on applicator skills.
- Vinyl Siding
- Easy maintenance. Vinyl siding never needs painting or staining. Because it doesn’t chip, peel, dent or rot, you can forget costly repairs. To maintain a like-new appearance, just rinse occasionally with a garden hose.
- Warranty-backed. You can count on getting all the quality you paid for, because our vinyl sidings are backed by a strong lifetime limited warranty.
- High value. Because it’s the preferred siding for more and more homeowners, vinyl siding retains most of its installed cost.
- Outstanding beauty. Vinyl sidings provide all the beauty of expensive wood sidings. You can choose from smooth or grained surfaces, rich, low-gloss colors and a variety of classic siding profiles. Low-maintenance trim products also add to both the beauty and value of your home.
Isn’t it less costly to just repaint my home?
If you plan to move within the next year the answer is probably “yes.” But if you plan to stay in your home longer than that, the calculations begin to heavily favor vinyl siding.To prove that to yourself, call a local painting contractor. Ask for an estimate to cover all expenses for painting your home, then figure on writing similar checks every three to five years. According to professional house painters, that’s how frequently you have to paint the exterior of your home to assure maximum protection and beauty. (Actually, the checks you write in the future will probably be for more. Inflation drives up the cost of everything-including the cost of painting a house.) Of course, if your home has special problems … for example, warped clap boards that must be replaced or lead-based paint which must be scraped or sanded off, the cost of painting can become truly staggering. Compare those ongoing costs to a one time investment in new vinyl siding. For most homeowners, the conclusion is obvious: Vinyl siding is by far the better long term value.
What exterior design options do I have with vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is one of the most versatile exterior design products you can work with. Our broad selection of vinyl siding lets you choose from among a wide variety of design options, including horizontal and vertical siding; traditional clapboard and authentically detailed “shaped” sidings; wide and narrow panel exposures; smooth, subtle and deep wood-grain textures; plus a wide assortment of traditional and contemporary colors. With a wide range of options, you can create the exact look you want for your home.
My home is partially brick and partially wood siding. Can I still use vinyl siding?
Sure. Vinyl siding is extremely versatile and can be used with just about any exterior building material, including brick, cinder block, and even natural logs and field stones.
What accessories and trim are available?
When you design the exterior of your home, you should think about more than just siding. You’ll need trim for windows and doors, and at inside and outside corners. You also may need soffit to finish the underside of eaves, or for a porch ceiling or entry overhang. With premium vinyl siding, creating a finishing touch that sets your home apart is easy. That’s because premium vinyl siding offers a complete range of easy-care accessory and trim options:
- Standard trim lets you merge siding and trim pieces to create a uniform, balanced look.
- PVC extruded trim boards and decorative accessories provide the premium look of hand crafted beauty. These wide trim products give you an exceptional way to add special elegance at windows, doors, corners and other key accent areas.
Premium vinyl siding even offers easy-care replacement windows. No other vinyl siding company offers you as many trim and accessory options. That’s why premium vinyl siding is the first choice among homeowners who really want choices.
But is vinyl siding really as durable as everyone says?
The correct technical name for the material used in vinyl siding is polyvinyl chloride. It’s a strong durable, proven material that has earned a solid reputation for its beauty and permanence. It’s used in automotive applications, medical devices, defense weapons, appliances, floor coverings (because it’s tough enough to withstand constant foot traffic) and, of course, home construction. It’s ideal as an exterior material because, vinyl siding doesn’t rot, crack, dent or warp. Plus, it never peels or blisters. And because the color goes completely through premium vinyl siding, it never has to be scraped, sanded or painted. That’s why it’s so easy to take care of vinyl siding. It’s an advanced material, specifically engineered to meet the requirements of today’s demanding homeowners. And that’s especially true when you choose premium vinyl siding products. For homeowners, premium vinyl siding means added assurance and confidence. More specifically, it means when you choose premium vinyl sidings and accessories, you can count on lasting quality.
Fiber Cement Siding FAQ
What is fiber cement siding?
Fiber cement siding is a very robust, durable composite siding material. It is a combination of cement, sand, and cellulose fiber, made to resemble real wood siding and many other exterior surface types. It is manufactured using a process called autoclaving, which uses high temperature steam to bond the materials together.
What makes fiber-cement siding so unique?
Fiber-cement siding is designed to last for life. It is five times thicker than vinyl. It has the look and feel of wood siding, but will last many times longer. It can withstand winds of up to 130mph, has a 50-year warranty, and will not warp, bend, or lose its shape over time. Fiber-cement is resistant to fire, hail, mold, pests, termites, rot, woodpeckers, carpenter bees, squirrels, UV rays, and extreme weather. Like vinyl, it can be cleaned with water.
Can fiber-cement be painted?
Yes, it can be painted any color. Fiber-cement has the natural look of wood and retains paint very well, giving it a uniform look. Paint also adds a layer of protection and an attractive look to your exterior.
How is fiber cement fastened to my structure?
Fiber cement is installed using corrosion-resistant nails, preferably galvanized hot tipped nails or screws, to attach the siding to the studs. Fiber cement cannot be stapled to a structure.
How much care and maintenance is involved with fiber cement siding?
Fiber cement is very low-maintenance compared to many other types of siding, including wood siding. Since it is designed to resist a variety of harmful forces – insects, fungus, weather shifts, rain, hail, UV rays – a lot of the preventative measures required by traditional siding are unnecessary. Like any type of siding, fiber cement will gradually display a build up dirt or residue left by pollution, depending on your environment. The most you’ll need to keep your siding clean is to occasionally wash it with a garden hose or a pressure washer. Tougher materials such as pollution residue, paint remnants, and oil stains may require strong cleaning products. Ask your contractor or local retailer about the best and most environmentally friendly cleaning products available.
