Siding FAQ

We have received many questions from people regarding siding, ranging from the different sizes and styles to questions regarding insulation and dry rot. Here are some answers to the questions we are asked most frequently.

  • What is siding?
    Siding is a type of protective outer covering for a home. For most residential homes, it is manufactured in long strips or shorter pieces which interconnect or overlap to form a barrier.
  • What is siding made of?
    Siding can be made of many materials, and is usually made from one of the following:

    • Vinyl (PVC)
    • Metal (Aluminum/Steel)
    • Masonry (Stone/Rock)
    • Wood
  • What kinds of siding are there?
    There are many different kinds of siding, and it really depends on what you are asking.

    • There are many brands of siding, such as CertainTeed, Mastic, and James Hardie.
    • There are many siding types, such as vertical and horizontal, sheet and shingle.
    • There are many styles of siding, such as cedar shake and wood grain.
  • What is vinyl siding?
    Vinyl siding is a siding made up of a type of plastic resin, and is one of the most common exteriors found on residential homes. It looks great, is very durable, and has become very affordable with new technologies.
  • What are the benefits of vinyl siding?
    The three main benefits of vinyl siding are its looks, lack of maintenance, and cost. Because it is formed from plastic resins, it can be molded in many different shapes. Because of this, there is a diverse selection of options available to you when you are purchasing new vinyl siding.Vinyl siding is also very low-maintenance. It does not require painting like metal or wood siding, and for the most part it is cleaned when it rains. If you find that you wish to wash it anyways – particularly spots where rain doesn’t fall such as under your overhangs – you can easily do so with just a garden hose. This makes it especially attractive to seniors and those who lack mobility.The cost of vinyl siding has dropped quite dramatically since its introduction several decades ago. Now it is considered to be among the most economical of choices. With the benefits it carries over other siding materials, you can see why it has so quickly become the number one choice of many.
  • What is fiber cement siding?
    Fiber cement siding is a synthetic composite made up of several materials including cement, sand, and cellulose. It is more durable than vinyl siding, but costs much more. It also requires maintenance such as painting.
  • What are the benefits of fiber cement siding?
    Fiber cement siding is more durable than other types of siding, including vinyl. It is known to be very resistant to rough weather, and it can last for decades if properly installed and maintained.
  • What is the best siding?
    As with everything, some siding products will be better than others, and there is a wide range between the bare minimum and the best money can buy. However, there is no “best siding” simply due to the fact that certain types of siding will perform better on different styles of home.
  • What kind of siding is best for my home?
    This is something which should be discussed with an experienced contractor, as many variables have to be factored into the decision, including the style of home you have, the condition of your home, local weather and storm intensity and more.
  • Why should I re-side my home?
    If you were to gather all of the information, you’d be hard pressed to find a reason to NOT want to side your home. Replacing your old, worn, broken-down siding with fresh new vinyl can completely change the look of your home. You’ll also find that insulated siding can save you a barrel of money.
  • How is siding installed?Different styles of siding are installed in their own way according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Generally, siding is secured to the home over a moisture barrier, with the siding interlocking either horizontally or vertically. Other materials such as J-channel and trim are installed to complete the job.
  • How long does siding take to install?
    Siding can take anywhere from a single day to over a week, depending on the style and amount of siding to be installed, the size of the crew doing the installing, weather, and many other variables. For the most accurate prediction, you’ll need to talk to your local contractor.
  • How much does siding cost?
    Siding costs range from very affordable to breaking the bank. There is no set cost for siding. The best thing to do is talk to a trusted contractor to go over pricing options for different levels of material quality. If you don’t have a trusted contractor, it is time to get some estimates.
  • What colors are available for my new siding?
    Picking a color for your new siding is like picking out candy from the candy aisle, there are three or four of each kind and you can never make up your mind. Looking for a blue siding? Great news, you have probably close to 10 different shades to choose from. There are plenty of colors available in siding, whether it is color-infused vinyl or pre-painted aluminum. Each manufacturer will provide different color options for each style, so once you pick out which type of siding you are interested in, your contractor will be able to provide you with color samples.
  • Is siding hard to install?
    Siding can be hard to install, but this depends on the type of siding you choose to install. As a rule of thumb: If you have to ask how hard siding is to install, you probably don’t have the experience necessary to install it. This is one of those things that you want to leave to the professionals. Anyone can put up siding, but crooked pieces, bad cuts, and loose panels will plague those who don’t know where they are doing.
  • What is a moisture barrier?
    A moisture barrier is a synthetic felt or fabric which goes over your home before the siding is installed. This barrier will keep moisture out while still maintaining breathability.
  • Do I need a moisture barrier?
    A moisture barrier is almost always an essential piece of a proper siding installation. If your contractor isn’t putting on a moisture barrier, he better have a very good reason as to why not.
  • How much maintenance is there with siding?
    Different types of siding come with different levels of maintenance. Vinyl siding is considered to be almost maintenance-free, requiring only basic cleaning. Aluminum and fiber cement siding on the other hand are a little more troublesome, requiring cleaning, painting, and sometimes other work to keep up.
  • Can I repair my siding?
    Siding damage can be repaired as long as it is not too extensive. Eventually you get to a point where it would cost more to repair in either time, money or hassles than it would just to replace it. This is something which should be discussed with your contractor.
  • Should I repair my siding?
    This is something that should be discussed with your contractor or an experienced siding installer. Whether or not a repair will suffice is subject to the conditions of your home and siding, and other factors such as local weather severity.
  • Can I paint my siding?
    Yes, this is actually recommended for most types of siding. Make sure to use an exterior paint suited to your siding, and that your siding is clean and dry before painting.
  • Should I paint my siding?
    This is completely up to you. If you feel your siding is in need of a sprucing up, a coat of paint may be just what it needs. Just make sure that the cost of a new siding job isn’t much more than the cost of the coat of paint or two.
  • Does siding have a warranty?
    Siding can come with a warranty, and usually does come with a warranty, but it doesn’t necessarily have to. Discuss this with your contractor. Ask if the siding comes with any type of warranty, manufacturer’s or otherwise. Ask if the warranty covers labor and/or materials, for how long, and if there is any proration (20-year proration means that each year 5% of warrantied value is lost).  Ask for this in writing.
  • What is dry rot?
    Dry rot is the decay of wood due to various types of fungi. It can be very dangerous, and should be repair immediately.
  • How do I fix dry rot?
    The fungi from dry rot can be killed using chemicals, but the damaged wood may still need to be replaced.

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