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Siding 101
Helping People With Their Most Valuable Asset
People like to have an aesthetically pleasing home. But practically
speaking, siding is your home's skin. It adds stability to the frame
and protects your home from the elements. Understanding house siding
options before purchasing new siding is a small investment toward
added value and preservation of your home. The most popular siding
today is vinyl siding. However many people enjoy the look of cedar
siding or like the strength of aluminum siding. In addition to deciding
on home siding, choosing a siding contractor will be equally important.
There is a wide range of vinyl siding colors and it will appear
each has a different vinyl siding price. When researching other
siding materials such as wood siding, Masonite siding or even liquid
siding always be sure to get good information on the siding manufacturer
and the siding contractor.
Please take the time to review the information on house siding
that is presented here. We hope we can be of assistance as you choose
the siding product that is right for you.
Featured Siding: Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is one of the most popular siding choices today. Vinyl
siding is made of polyvinyl chloride, a strong, impact resistant,
rigid material that is replacing metal in much new construction.
The texture of vinyl siding resembles wood and comes in various
styles and colors. From classic colonial clapboard to the distinctive
charm of natural cedar shakes, you can choose the look that best
suits your design vision. The best part of all is you will NEVER
PAINT AGAIN
Durability
Vinyl is now the number-one siding material available. And for good
reason: Nothing beats vinyl siding, accessories and trim for sheer
endurance. Unlike many other siding materials, vinyl is impervious
to rain, cold, salt and snow. And vinyl won't rot, peel, dent or
show scratches, nor will it ever need painting. Today's vinyl
siding panels offer exceptional durability and weather resistance,
and come in a variety of attractive styles, textures and color
Importance of Siding
Siding is to a house as skin is to the human body. Siding protects
the house against the elements and pests. It helps prevent moisture
penetration and the growth of biological contaminants such as mold,
dust mites and bacteria. These 3 types of biological contaminants
have been known to cause allergic, respiratory, and other health
problems in humans.
Choosing siding deserves careful consideration. Some sidings are
good in dry climates, others in wetter climates. Some siding is
better in windy conditions. And still others, like vinyl, are good
in all types of weather conditions.
Rain, snow and frost are the moisture concerns. If rain, snow or
frost get behind the siding, the moisture makes the wall sheathing
soft, degrading the strength of the entire house frame.
Some of the common pests that may reside behind poor or inappropriate
siding are dust mites, carpenter ants, and termites. Dust mites
are a common allergy concern. Carpenter ants and termites, as they
eat away at the home, undermine the strength of a wooden frame.
A carefully chosen siding, appropriate for your climate and the
amount of care you are willing to devote to its maintenance, will
not only give your house a new look, but protect your family's health
and safety.
 Today's
real-estate market reflects the overwhelming popularity of vinyl
siding . Valued for its long lasting qualities, array of styles,
colors and durability, vinyl siding provides instant curb appeal.
It is also competitively priced when compared with other replacement
siding materials. To take a closer look at the advantages of vinyl
siding, please peruse the information below. We have compiled this
data to aid you in learning the basics.
We have already answered the most frequently asked questions,
now lets add a few more pieces of the puzzle:
Vinyl siding is comprised of individual panels constructed from
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Uniquely designed, vinyl resembles wood
and boasts the characteristics of aluminum. However, unlike aluminum
- it does not dent or rust. In fact, should your vinyl siding be
scratched, no repairs are necessary. The color of vinyl pervades
the thickness of each panel. Should extensive damage be inflicted,
panels can be replaced quite simply. Additionally, vinyl is reputed
for its ability to respond to a wide variety of temperatures and
climates.
Vinyl siding is available in a multitude of widths and lengths.
The average width is 6.5 inches to 10 inches. In addition to sizing
options, vinyl provides a range of option regarding colors, shapes
and textures. Whether you choose a deep green or a creamy white,
the colors are rich and low-gloss. Smooth or grained surfaces can
add interest and the shape of each panel will help define the profile
of your home.
Vinyl sided homes offer a few more 'perks.' One of the homeowner's
favorites - the ease of maintenance. A simple garden hose will wash
off everyday dirt and grime.
So what are some other benefits of this type of siding? The first
one is the insulation properties vinyl provides. You may just save
money on your energy bill. The second? It lasts and lasts and lasts!
In fact, you can often secure a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
Deciding what type of home siding is right for you is a bit like
shopping for a new pair of shoes. You select the style you prefer,
a coordinating color and then try it on for size. Once you have
it on, you wiggle your toes about to gauge just how comfortable
and durable the shoes will be and finally hope for an affordable
price. The same is true when considering your siding options! You
will need to consider the style of your home and those in your neighborhood.
What color will enhance the beauty of your home? Given the local
climate, how long will the siding last? Is it difficult to maintain?
And of course, is it affordable?
This page has been designed to help you do some smart shopping,
and present you with an opportunity to explore your choices. In
addition to vinyl siding, your viable siding options include wood
siding and aluminum siding. Lets take a closer look!
Wood Siding
 Cedar,
cypress and redwood are favored among homeowners who enjoy the warmth
and beauty of wood siding. And despite the expense and care involved,
many agree that it is the most handsome choice. But is it appropriate
for your home? Start with the basics and consider what types of
wood siding are available. Your choices include board siding, which
can be installed in horizontally, vertically or diagonally, as well
as shakes and shingles.
Now that you have been introduced to the basic types of wood siding,
we can take a moment to review the essential pros and cons of wood
siding. Aside from the natural beauty of wood siding, you will also
be presented with a wide array of color options. Whether you choose
to paint or stain, you have a virtually limitless color palette.
Another benefit of wood siding is that with regular maintenance,
it can last up to 30 years!
The key to wood siding is maintenance, maintenance and more maintenance.
Wood is a permeable organic material, which does absorb and give
off moisture. If not properly cared for, wood siding can quickly
deteriorate. Common troubles include bowed or expanded panels, shrinkage,
disintegration, fading and the local critters. You will want to
insure that you choose a wood that is not appealing to the neighborhood
woodpecker!
It is also important that you minimize exposure to moisture, i.e.
avoid 'watering' your house by distancing sprinklers. Painting will
be required every 3 to 5 years Regular inspections of joints, nails
and planks are also required maintenance for wood siding.
Question & Answer
What are the benefits of house siding?
House siding is a terrific way to update the look of your home,
thereby increasing your resale value. In addition, vinyl siding
reduces your home maintenance costs and protects your house from
the elements.
Is painting more cost effective than vinyl siding?
From a short-term point of view, painting is certainly less
expensive. However, after approximately three years, the pendulum
begins to swing in favor of vinyl. Not only will you boost your
resale value, but you will also enjoy the ease of caring for vinyl
siding.
Quick Note: typically, your home must be repainted every three to
five years. Vinyl is a one-time investment.
Can you briefly describe vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is constructed from polyvinyl chloride, better known
as PVC. PVC has replaced metal as the dominant material for many
industrial and consumer products. A revolutionary construction material,
PVC provides impact-resistance, strength and rigidity.
What other types of siding are available?
Today's choices include vinyl, wood, and various paintable fibercement
. The preferred option? Vinyl.
Why is vinyl so popular?
It is virtually maintenance free. The color does not peel, blister
or flake, so there is never the need to paint. Another advantage
is that it does not contribute to termite infestation, rotting or
moisture buildup. You will also discover that vinyl has no effect
on television or radio reception.
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Section II. - Types of Siding
Rectangular Plank
 Perfectly
rectangular wood planks are applied vertically with their ends butted
together for a smooth look. The vertical joints of the planks are
covered by long, narrow strips of wood called battens to help keep
out moisture. The battens help give a vertical "rise and fall"
look to the siding.
Clapboard
 Clapboard
is rectangular planking applied horizontally and overlapped. Clapboard
will not look as smooth as rectangular planking applied vertically.
However, it can be given a smoother look if the edges of the plank
are beveled or tapered.
Composition Board or Hardboard
 Planks
or sheets of compressed wood fiber and weather resistant adhesive.
Hardboard is a good choice in drier areas. The panels can be as
long as 16 feet without any gaps. It can be made to look like clapboard
if it is cut and applied horizontally.
Shingles
 Shingles
are usually redwood, cedar or cypress. They are smooth sawn and
of uniform size and shape. They are applied from the bottom up and
overlap each other a bit as the next highest row is applied. Some
people prefer to have their shingles overlap in various amounts
to give a different look or texture. Shingles can be applied in
a single course, where all shingles are exposed to the elements
or a double course in which only the top layer of shingles is exposed.
Shingles are prone to cupping, a rolling of the shingle toward the
center, and checking, which is a cracking or splitting.
Shakes
 Shakes
are a rough type of wooden shingle, usually redwood, cedar or cypress.
They can be either: handsplit, handsplit and sawn on one side, or
handsplit and sawn on both sides. They are non-uniform in size and
shape and give a rustic look to the exterior of the home. Shakes
can be applied in a single course, where all of them are exposed
to the elements or a double course in which only the top layer is
exposed. Shakes are prone to cupping, a rolling of the shake toward
the center, and checking, which is cracking or splitting.
Stucco
 Stucco
is very similar to plaster on an interior wall. Stucco, like vinyl,
is a durable siding. It is composed of sand, water and cement. Today
some stucco has an acrylic finish. In a traditional stucco application,
wire mesh is attached to the sheathing and studs of the house. Two
or three coats of various stucco mixtures are then applied over
the wire mesh. Finally, the top coat of a stucco siding is applied
with a smooth or textured finish.
Veneers
 Veneers
are usually brick or stone. Veneers are applied one ply thick either
as a whole house veneer or as an accent veneer. Veneers are applied
from the ground up and are attached to the wall sheathing with brick
ties. The brick ties expand and contract as the frame does to help
keep the veneer from cracking. There is also an L-shaped metal flashing
that runs underneath the brick and up the wall to keep water from
the foundation. Veneers allow moisture to escape through their weep
holes underneath the bottom course of the siding. Mortarless brick
veneers are made of high strength tongue and groove concrete. Mortarless
brick can be installed about 35% faster than conventional masonry.
This type of siding is an excellent example of rain screening because
water cannot penetrate the veneer.
Vinyl
Vinyl panels are made of polyvinyl chloride and resemble wood. They
act much the same way as aluminum but don't dent. If vinyl is scratched
it doesn't need to be painted because vinyl doesn't rust and the
color of the vinyl permeates the entire thickness of the panels.
Vinyl siding comes in various lengths and widths. The average width
of panes is between 6 ½ inches to 10 inches. Standard vinyl
siding has 3 components: a nail hem at the top of the panel where
the slots are located, the face which is the exposed area of the
panel visible when installation is complete, and the buttlock, which
is located on the bottom of the panel and locks into the previously
installed panel. J-Channels and other accessories can be functional
or aesthetic or both. These accents can cover seams, enclose eaves
or overhangs, and provide an accent to the siding. Today's vinyl
sidings come with lifetime warranties. Often these warranties are
transferable if you sell your home.
Wood Plank Siding
 Planks
for this type of siding can be cut perfectly rectangular, tapered
or with special milled cuts. The special milled cuts are: V-Groove,
channel, rabbeted bevel, shiplap, and drop. In addition to providing
somewhat of a texture, special milled cuts also fit together in
such a way as to protect joints from water infiltration.
Plywood Siding
 Plywood
consists of 2 materials glued and veneered. The veneer is a slice
or cut of wood of constant thickness. Plywood siding is more water
resistant that indoor plywood.
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Section III. - Types of Materials Used in Siding
Vinyl is made of polyvinyl chloride. It is widely used in
construction today. It resembles wood and comes in various styles
and colors. One of the advantages of vinyl is that the color of
the vinyl permeates the thickness of panel making scratches almost
unnoticeable. Vinyl responds well in a wide variety of temperatures
and climates.
Stucco is a combination of sand, cement and water. It is
waterproof and weatherproof. Though it is waterproof and weatherproof,
it is also permeable to water vapor. It lets moisture escape from
the walls.
Woods such as cedar, redwood and cypress are most often
used as siding. Some woods are very attractive to animals or birds,
like woodpeckers, whose pecking will make holes or otherwise damage
siding. It is important to know about the area you live in before
choosing a particular type of wood.
Cedar is a large coniferous tree, its surface is soft and
its grain is intricate. Cedar produces a natural tannin that is
thought to be a natural insect repellent. These tannins can cause
spots, especially after rain storms. The spotting will stop after
about 3 years, once the wood is used to the weather conditions.
Redwood is similar to cedar except in its color.
Plywood. Common plywood veneers include southern yellow
pine, Douglas fir and western red cedar. Plywood siding can be either
smooth or roughhewn. One preferred plywood siding is T1-11, which
is grooved to resemble lumber. Plywood siding applied horizontally
is susceptible to water penetration. Two possible remedies for this
are flashing behind the plywood or creating scarfed joints.
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Section IV. - Siding Maintenance
Wood shakes and shingles
These should not be installed close to the ground where moisture
might wick up behind them. If there is soil build up around the
bottom of the wood siding it should be removed. Shakes and shingles
will fade over time. And may fade unevenly depending on landscaping
or nearness to other homes that might cause partial shade. Shakes
and shingles can be painted or stained to help preserve them. Depending
on the climate, painting may have to be done every 3-5 years and
staining may have to be done every 3 years.
Wood planking will have to be painted. Again, it depends
on the climate how long between paintings.
Composition board or hardboard must have a good deal of
TLC, especially in wet climates. Composition board must be repainted
more often than other wood sidings because it doesn't hold paint
as well. If left exposed too long, the board will absorb moisture,
expand and bow out. Unlike solid wood, which will shrink after it
has expanded, hardboard will not. It may actually disintegrate.
Make sure sprinklers and leaky downspouts don't wet the hardboard.
You should always maintain 6-8 inches of clearance between the ground
and the lowest board. Inspect the joints, the nails and the ends
of planks. Caulk around cracked joints. Make sure nails haven't
broken the surface finish or water will seep in.
Choosing a wood that is appropriate to your area is important to
consider before you make your purchase. Some birds, like woodpeckers,
have been known to punch away at the sides of homes. Should birds
make holes in the wood they must be filled or replaced.
Brick and stone veneers may develop spalling. That means
that the brick or stone or mortar may fall out or crumble. This
is especially likely to occur where wall meets wall or at the bottom
of the wall. One way to slow spalling is to clear any debris from
underneath the lowest course of the veneer. Under this bottom course
are weep holes that allow moisture to escape from behind the veneer.
Another way to help prevent spalling is keeping vines off siding.
As vines grow and spread on siding they actually do 2 things…they
hold on to the mortar making it weak and they trap moisture next
to the house. If cracks or spalling occurs it should be patched
or replaced as soon as possible. Mortarless brick will not have
the problems that a brick and mortar siding does.
Stucco should be watched for cracks. All loose materials
should be scraped from the cracks before caulking. Only use a paintable
caulk.
Vinyl is easy to maintain. From time to time vinyl will
have to be washed to eliminate dirt, dust, grass stains, mold or
mildew. This can be done simply with a garden hose For heavier stains,
vinyl siding can be cleaned with a soft cloth, or soft bristled
toothbrush
Plywood siding can expand and contract at different rates
than the framing it is attached to. This expanding and contracting
at different rates can cause nails to pull out, joints to pull apart
and siding may fall off. Keep the surface finishes fresh or plywood
siding will deteriorate, absorb moisture and warp. Once the warping
starts, the grooves in the plywood will split allowing even more
water to penetrate until the siding actually pushes away from the
under ply.
The relationship you have with your contractor is an important
one. You will want one who is qualified, trustworthy and capable
of explaining the differences in various products and installations
If you are ready to go ahead and request a free quotation please
click here.
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