Siding Installation
Adding new siding to your home is a wonderful way to update the look of your home and improve your resale value. Depending on the material you chose, installing or replacing worn siding can be an affordable facelift that will pay off both aesthetically and in energy savings. Whether you go with vinyl, brick, wood, or metal, your home will be better protected from the elements and look beautiful as well.
Each type of siding has its own installation challenges, however, and it’s very important that once you’ve selected your material that you find the right installation company to do the job. Even the smallest of mistakes can end up costing you much more in the years to come.
CLAD Siding works with only the best licensed, insured siding installation and replacement contractors, providing you with a wide variety of highly qualified experts who can handle any kind of siding installation. Click now for free quotes in just minutes!
Benefits of Installing New Siding
Siding is one of the most important aspects of your home. Not only does it give your home style, but it also provides protection from the elements and helps reduce energy costs. If your existing siding is looking tired or is in serious need of repair, new siding might be the way for you to go. The following are some of the main benefits of installing new siding on your home.
Facelift
Instantly boost your home’s curb appeal with a siding makeover that changes the appearance of your façade. Whether you’re interested in changing its color or architectural style, siding can make your home look fresh and new. Siding can even restore a historic home’s original look, adding detail and a timeless appeal.
Home Value
Refreshing or replacing your siding is one of the best ways to improve your home’s value. Even though it’s definitely an investment, it can pay off by protecting your home from damage and improving its appearance, which will translate into a higher resale value when you’re looking to sell.
Improved Energy Efficiency
New siding can add insulation to your walls, reducing your overall energy consumption and cost. Each type of siding intrinsically has its own R-value but combined with a house wrap and foam or blown-in insulation, your home will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Less Paint
Maintaining existing siding often includes re-painting it on a regular basis. Newer siding varieties have better colorfastness due to new manufacturing processes that bake the color into the material. Today, products such as fiber cement, vinyl, and even stucco will provide you with a clean and vibrant color that lasts much longer than ever before.
Protection of Home
New siding will protect your home from all kinds of weather and pests like termites and woodpeckers. Depending on where you live, and the climate in your area, there’s a kind of siding that’s ideal for protecting your home. You’ll want to choose siding that not only meets your taste but interacts well with the particular home design elements in your region.
Repair Existing Damage
Faulty siding can result in hidden structural damage to a home’s drywall or studs. Rain or other moisture may have been seeping in through cracks or holes for years without you knowing it. A professional siding contractor can find the damage and repair or replace the siding, helping you avoid further problems in the future.
Types of Exterior Home Siding to Consider
A wide range of siding options is on the market today. When considering types of home exterior siding, you’ll need to think about many factors including the look, durability, cost of materials and installation, and energy efficiency.
Brick and Brick Veneer
Brick is the most traditional look for homes, imparting a classic elegance that never goes out of style. It’s a low-maintenance material that comes in a variety of colors that never need painting or refinishing. Brick insulates well and is suitable for all kinds of climates. Because the material is heavy and it requires a high level of workmanship to install, brick can be on the pricier end of the scale. If you like the look, but would prefer a more affordable option, consider brick veneer which uses thin slices of brick instead of full brick.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is comprised mostly of wood cellulose with additional materials added for durability. It comes in many styles and textures, can last a long time if installed properly, and is more affordable than other materials. Unlike natural wood, engineered wood is fireproof, water-resistant, and unattractive to pests.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is one of the most popular siding options on the market today. It’s a strong composite material made of cement and cellulose fibers that comes in a variety of colors to look like wood, brick, or stone. Fiber cement requires little maintenance, is fireproof, waterproof, and insect repellent. The material itself is cheaper than some other forms of siding but it’s very heavy and requires specific installation, costing you more in labor.
Metal
Metal siding comes in aluminum and steel and is made from recycled and scrap metals. It has become very popular in recent years due to its good looks, strength, and durability. Metal siding is resistant to fire, rot, and insect damage and tends to hold its finish for many years unless it’s damaged. If you want the metal look at a lower price consider aluminum which is lighter and cheaper to install.
Stone and Stone Veneer
Both natural stone and stone veneer can bring an elegant look to a home. Stone comes in a variety of colors and textures and is incredibly durable and low maintenance. It’s highly weather-resistant and insulates well. Because the layout of the stone is important and the material is heavy, your labor costs will be higher than for other materials. But, for a more affordable option, consider stone veneer which is still attractive but at a more affordable price.
Stucco
Stucco is made from cement, sand, lime, and water and is most often found on Mediterranean-style homes in the west. Stucco is a durable, low maintenance material that can provide many looks, depending on the application process. While the material is fairly cheap, the labor required to properly install brings the cost up quite a bit.
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is made from plastic and is tough and durable. It comes in a wide range of colors and textures, imitating both wood and stone. Vinyl comes in many different thicknesses and is available with insulation built-in. Vinyl is one of the more affordable materials to purchase and install as it’s lightweight and easy to affix.
Wood
Wood siding is one of the oldest and most universally beloved forms of home siding. It comes in many different types and styles and can be painted or stained to withstand water and pest damage. Wood is durable as long as it’s well-maintained. The quality of wood you choose will dictate the cost as will the profile of the siding.
Process of Installing New Siding
You’ve thought about it long and hard, and finally decided you’re ready to replace your siding. Now what? Following are some of the steps that will be involved in the process of installing new siding:
- Obtain quotes: Once you’ve decided to go ahead with re-siding your home, it’s time to find a contractor that you can trust to do the job. Make sure to get quotes from multiple contractors to compare rates. Using a site like CLAD Siding can help you get quotes from a variety of reputable, licensed contractors in your area. Check references and have the ones you’re considering visiting your home to provide written estimates. Then, see who you feel good about based on conversations, quality of interactions, and make your decision.
- Shop for materials: You’ve done your research and are familiar with not only what styles are popular in your region but which materials fare best in your climate. Now it’s time to shop for siding materials. You and your contractor will work together to determine which overall look you’re going for (i.e. one type of siding or a combination) and which brands are the best for your particular job. They’ll help you order the material and ensure its safe delivery to your home.
- Removing existing siding: Old siding can contain hazardous materials such as asbestos and other toxins. Your installer should have a plan before they begin, that addresses how they’ll ensure your well-being during removal and how they’ll safely dispose of waste. Once the old siding has been removed, any structural damage, such as rotting boards, can be cut out and fixed before the new siding is hung.
- Installation of new house wrap: Before the new siding is affixed, the house will be covered with Tyvek, a house wrap that helps keep unwanted air and water out, while letting water vapor escape. This air barrier will help protect the home’s frame under its new “coat” of siding.
- Install corners as well as J-Channels and J-Blocks: Water can infiltrate a home in the smallest of entries such as outside corners, inside corners, or windowsills. Quality installers will make sure to prevent water from entering behind the siding by installing J-channels around windows and doors and J-blocks to mount light fixtures and receptacles. To properly seal the siding, all of these will need to be caulked where they meet windows, doors, and utilities.
- Installation of a starter strip, then the siding is installed: The siding job needs to start with a solid foundation to turn out right, so contractors begin with a starter strip. This is used at the bottom of each side of the house to lock the first row of siding in place. You won’t see the starter strip once the work is complete, but it’s a vital first step in siding installation.
- Trim, fascia, and soffit: There are lines on your home where inclined roof sections end and vertical or horizontal siding lines begin. Strips of siding called trim are used to hold these exterior lines together, making installing and removing soffit panels easier. Soffits, or soffit panels, are used to cover the underside parts of a house, like beneath a roof, and improve the way they look. They serve to keep out pests and control air circulation in the roof. Fascia runs along a structure’s edges and is the point of attachment for external elements such as drainpipes and gutters. Installing trim, fascia, and soffits provide the finishing touches to your new siding job, protecting every square inch of your home’s surface, and give it a polished, finished look.
Find a Siding Installation Contractor Near Me
Replacing and repairing siding can make a huge difference in the curb appeal and value of your home. For the ambitious DIYers out there who are convinced they can do the work themselves, be assured you can’t. Replacing old siding, or installing new, is incredibly difficult, specialized work best left to experts who have years of experience handling the material in question.
It’s important that you hire a reputable, licensed siding contractor for all types of siding installations. Following are the top things you should look for when hiring a contractor:
Knowledge
You may have an idea of what type of siding you’d like to use to clad your home, but it may not be ideal for your region due to weather considerations or style constraints. When interviewing contractors, you’ll want to make sure you find one who’s knowledgeable about all of the materials on the market, which work best in your climate, and which are most popular in your area. They should be willing to come and do a free inspection of your home and then provide you with suggestions and guidance that will help guarantee a successful installation.
Experience
Many contractors say they know how to install siding but may not have experience working with specific materials. You’ll want to make sure the contractor you choose has direct experience working with wood, vinyl, steel, brick, or whatever material you choose. Ask to see their portfolio of recently completed jobs so you can see the quality of their work.
References
There’s no better way to hire a reliable siding installer than to get references from friends, family, and even co-workers who have had satisfactory experiences with companies in your area. You’ll also want to ask any contractors you’re considering to provide you with several customer references, including addresses of properties you can check out in person.
Licensing & Insurance
All reputable siding companies should be licensed to work in your state. They should also carry enough insurance to cover you should anything happen during your job. Be sure to ask companies you’re interviewing for proof of both before you begin.
Warranties
You’ll also want to make sure you get a warranty that guarantees their work in writing. The contract for the job should outline the costs of labor and materials, layout a timeline, and include a written warranty should something go wrong with the siding.
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If you’re planning on upgrading your home with new siding, make sure you hire the right company for the job. Request free price estimates for siding installation and repair services from licensed general contractors and installers.
