MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR ST. LOUIS AREA HOMEOWNERS

SUMMARY
Home Siding Alternatives are discussed and, when the facts are carefully analyzed, investment in high quality, long lasting siding is a logical conclusion.

BACKGROUND
Many homeowners in the St. Louis metropolitan area are faced with making a difficult and costly decision: the repair and improvement of their home’s exterior. This is because of one or more of the following:
natural weathering high maintenance inferior original products poor original installations

To maintain or enhance the value of their residence, sooner or later, a decision to repair and/or upgrade must be made. Usually delaying only increases the cost. According to national trend analyses, today’s savvy homeowners expect quality, low maintenance products, and high value. Unlike interior treatments (room painting/wallpapering, floor coverings, etc) which are upgraded every few years, exterior components and specifically siding is (hopefully) permanent. There are several siding alternatives, and choosing either the wrong product and/or improper installation can be disappointing and costly.

SIDING ALTERNATIVES

There are a myriad of siding choices – a brief listing follows.

- Stone/Brick: This is a very durable product and, while expensive, it is a good choice for new construction. Because of nearly prohibitive costs and integration difficulties, its application to the home improvement market is limited at best. There have been several attempts to develop lower cost “synthetics” several of which have been less than successful.

- Wood: Wood products have been a premier residential siding material for centuries. Wood has proven to be durable and long lasting. It is available in red or white cedar, pine, spruce, cypress, and Douglas fir. But, quality wood siding has become very expensive and the frequent maintenance requirement, in view of today’s very busy homeowner, has diminished its appeal and value. Many cedar-sided homes built in the late 20th century have experienced weather deterioration (e.g., warping) and nail popping. Also it supports moisture/fungus growth and is susceptible to attacks from insects, woodpeckers and squirrels.

- Hardboard (or fiberboard): Even if properly installed and impeccably maintained, it is difficult to recommend. Nationwide, hardboard siding has failed on thousands of homes that were built in the 80′s and 90′s. The result has been several class action lawsuits which have become expensive to the manufacturers. In recent years the hardboard siding market been greatly reduced.

- Aluminum: This was a popular siding used in the 50′s and 60′s and, for a variety of reasons its application to home re-siding has greatly diminished.

- Stucco and Synthetic Stucco: Stucco is a viable material for southern climates; it is very popular in Florida. Material costs are relatively low but installation costs can be expensive. Performance is usually poor in portions of the United States which are subjected to frequent freezing temperatures. Synthetic stuccos (polymer/cement mixtures) have had serious problems and due to moisture retention framing rot can be a problem.

- Vinyl: Nationwide, vinyl is perhaps the most used product for re-siding residences and it is ubiquitous in the new home construction market. Vinyl is manufactured from polyvinyl chloride in a variety of proprietary quality control processes (some vinyl products have recycled plastics and other impurities in their formulations). There are a bewildering number of types and grades (meaning great quality variations). Lower cost grades (and even some high cost grades) are fraught with problems:
fading coefficient of contraction/expansion less thickness means susceptibility to wind and hail damage prone to fungus/mold requiring periodic power washing susceptibility to impact damage ( for example an object thrown from a lawn mower) melting and toxicity when heated (inadvertent fire or heat from a BBQ) it can become unsightly in just a few years repairs can be difficult and costly

Even premium grades which use foam backing can retain moisture resulting in framing wood rot. In general, vinyl is a poor, long term value and this is born out in Remodel Magazine’s Cost-Value report. The initial cost may be less, but down the road, for the above reasons, residing may be required. Typically homeowners who side with vinyl over the original siding are looking for less costly ways to improve the looks while improving the insulation of their homes. In particular, siding over rotted wood or hardboard can lead to later expensive problems and is not recommended. Frequently warranties contain many disclaimers. Vinyl does not look like wood (although there are some newer products that come close).

- Fiber-Cement: Fiber-cement is manufactured from Portland cement and other materials in proprietary processes. The wet fiber cement mixture is formed into siding sheets, horizontal siding planks, shingles, or other shapes. After forming, it is dried and cured using superheated steam under pressure – so the resultant product has very low moisture content. To quote Paul Fisette (University of Massachusetts, 1997): “Fiber-cement has a unique appeal: once you install it, it’s there forever…. Paint lasts a very long time on fiber-cement. Since the material is so moisture resistant and stable, stress does not build under the coating as it does on wood products.”

Paint manufacturers will warrant their products for very long periods when applied to fiber-cement. Nail popping and warping are not problem areas with fiber-cement. In addition to the variety of shapes, its surface area can be smooth or have the appearance of a variety of wood grains. But, careful, knowledgeable installation by fiber-cement craftsmen is a must. Actually, the installation procedure is similar to wood siding, but extra care and skill is required. It is heavy and it does not cut as easily as wood. Experience should be an important factor in selecting a fiber-cement installer. When installed in accordance with specifications, it is truly a beautiful and long lasting product and relatively carefree. For most applications fiber-cement is a high valued alternative.

Conclusion

Our trade-study conducted in 2003 determined that fiber-cement siding, specifically James Hardie fiber-cement siding was the preferred siding for nearly all remodels. James Hardie has been producing this product the longest and they have conducted extensive research to arrive at an optimum, pre-coated product. Our experience over the past 7 years has validated that assertion.

By: Matthew Merrifield

About the Author:
About the Author: Matt Merrifield is president of http://www.lakesideexteriors.com, Lakeside Exteriors, Inc., O’Fallon, MO. Learn more about http://www.lakesideexteriors.com, Home siding alternatives at their website or call for an appointment.

When embarking on a home residing project one of the most important decisions is picking the right siding manufacturer. You want a high quality product that will last a long time, look good, and be low maintenance. Though a cheaper, less durable product can be attractive in the short term, over time you’ll most likely save money by picking a premium product at the start.

One of the leading manufacturers of high quality cladding products is CertainTeed of Pennsylvania. CertainTeed has been serving contractors and homeowners for over 100 years and in that time has developed a reputation for innovation and excellence.

The company offers a variety of home exterior products including roofing materials, vinyl, fiber cement, polymer shakes, soffits, trim, and windows.

CertainTeed’s line is engineered for the varying temperature and weather conditions across North America. They realize that a product that works well in the cold winter climate of Minnesota might not be appropriate for the heat and humidity of Florida. Your local contractor can help you pick the correct CertainTeed siding line for your region.

CertainTeed’s siding is known for its attractive appearance. The siding features a simulated wood finish applied using a direct transfer technique. As with all vinyl siding, CertainTeed siding never needs painting: The colors are molded into the planks as part of the manufacturing process.

In addition to traditional vinyl siding, CertainTeed also offers a line of insulated siding. Insulated vinyl is more expensive than traditional vinyl, but can earn its extra costs back as savings over time. That’s because insulated vinyl siding reduces the heat transferred between the inside and outside of the home. This can improve the overall energy efficiency of your home and help reduce heating bills in the winter and cooling bills in the summer.

By: Ryan W. Stinson

About the Author:

Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in installing fiber cement and vinyl siding.