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Siding
Selecting
Siding Selecting siding for your house is like
choosing furniture. Siding must be durable, attractive
and affordable. When you look at those three things,
making a choice can be somewhat difficult. There are a
number of things you need to consider. What are your
tastes? What is the style of your house, and what are
the styles within your neighborhood? What types of
siding is available and what is the quality and cost?
Are you intending to do it yourself or have it
professionally done. Doing it yourself can save you up
to 50%, but remember, it will be quite a challenge!
You also need to consider the maintenance involved in
the siding you choose. Materials such as aluminum or
vinyl are considered low maintenance. No matter what
route you decide to go, new siding is a definite plus
for improving the look of your home, and increasing
its value.
Wood
Siding Wood siding comes in large panels, shingles, or
horizontal or vertical boards. Wood is widely used for
residential siding and offers a wide range of choices.
Since wood is a porus organic material, it absorbs and
gives off moisture which causes deterioration over
time if the wood is not properly maintained. Most wood
panels are made of plywood or hardboard, which is a
made up of heat-processed wood pulp which is pressed
into sheets. Plywood siding come in both smooth and
rough finishes. Hardwood comes in wider styles and can
range from stucco to embossed. Boards or solid-wood
siding comes in both horizontal and vertical and in
many variations. Some types to consider include
vertical board-and-batten; bevel or bungalow; drop
tongue and groove; or sliplap. Shingle siding is
another choice. This gives you the rustic look.
Shingles are higher in cost however, you may be able
to install them yourself; it doesn’t need paint and it
will last for years.
Stucco and
Aluminum Siding Stucco is an extremely
durable siding. It’s made up of concrete and is
applied in three coats. The desired color pigment is
mixed into the finished coat so painting is not
necessary. Drawbacks however include the fact that
it’s difficult to apply, requires careful application
and cracks may occur if it’s not applied correctly.
Aluminum siding comes in two basic types. One gives
the appearance of wide or narrow boarding and offers a
range of colors which have been applied at the
factory. Since is has a greater range of styles,
colors and textures, it can be easily adapted to most
any architectural styles. The main advantages of
aluminum siding include its longevity and low
maintenance. It doesn’t change much over time and it
is finished with coatings that are formulated for
toughness and long-term durability.
Vinyl and
Steel Siding Vinyl is very similar to aluminum and has a
very similar appearance once applied. Vinyl is plastic
which makes this type of siding flexible and easier to
work with. However, there is still the same amount of
precision cutting and fitting involved. One nice thing
is that vinyl will not dent. Scratches don’t make too
much difference since the material is the same color
throughout the slat. On drawback is that vinyl expands
and contracts more that the other materials. This must
be taken into account for installation. Extreme cold
makes it stiff but will not shatter. It will however,
crack from a hard impact. Replacing vinyl panels
however is not too difficult. Steel siding is popular
in areas that experience regular and major hail
storms. Steel siding requires professional
installation. It comes in various styles and colors
and is extremely durable.
Hiring a
Siding Contractor When looking to hire a
siding contractor, be sure to carefully check them
out. Ask your friends, neighbors and associates for
recommendations. You can check them out with your
local Better Business Bureau. Contact the contractors
personally and ask them for references that you can
call for information. Take into consideration they
contractor’s experience and reputation as well as the
quality of the products they provide. Also find out
warranty information and the TOTAL price of the
installation which should include labor and materials.
After choosing several contractors, have them bid on
your job. Be sure the company you choose is licensed,
bonded and employ people who are insured. Before you
accept a bid, there are a few things you’ll need to
have in a WRITTEN contract. These include: The
specific materials to be used for the job, a written
FIXED price for the entire job, dates when the job
will be completed and the manufacture’s warranty for
the product you use. If required, you’ll need a
building contract. Get a guarantee of the contractor’s
work. The contract should ask for no more that 25% of
the fee in advance with a schedule for the remaining
balance. Carefully read the contract before you sign
it.
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