When you’re in the market for a new siding job, the process can be a little confusing if you’re trying to figure it out on your own. But the process doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing.
In fact, when discussing your potential siding job with a siding contractor you can make the process easy by coming to the conversation prepared with these questions:
1. Does my siding need to be replaced or can it be repaired?
The siding on your home is the main thing protecting it from the outside elements like water, fire, and wind. If your siding is failing, you might be prone to interior drywall and insulation damage. It can be difficult to tell if your siding can be repaired or if it needs to be completely replaced.
Certain types of damage aren’t always apparent unless you know what to look for. Damage can sometimes be hidden and is only seen by removing the siding. Rotting wood is an example of the worst type of hidden damage. This usually occurs after years of moisture coming between the siding and the wooden frame of your house. Even though you can’t always see this damage directly, you can keep an eye out for some signs.
An experienced contractor can help you make the right choices
A siding contractor will have the experience necessary to look at your siding and determine if it’s showing signs of serious damage and is in need of a complete replacement. A siding contractor will:
- Look for signs of deterioration. Depending on your siding’s material and how well it has been maintained over the years, siding jobs can start to fade and show their age. Vinyl siding tends to warp, crack, and fade from exposure to the sun. Wood siding can rot from prolonged exposure to moisture, and some composite Masonite siding can crack.
Check for rusty, missing, or exposed nails. Nails aren’t supposed to come out easily once they’ve been set in place. If they’re popping out, it can be a sign that your siding has been expanding or contracting. If nails are missing, that’s a sign that your siding could fall off. Also, a good siding job will be completed with stainless steel nails that do not rust. - Look for signs of rodents and insects. If you have wood siding, it’s possible for small rodents and even termites to chew their way into your walls through your siding. Of course, termites live on wood so having wood siding can just be an invitation for them to feast.
- Check for signs of wood rot and mold. Unfortunately, moisture can create some of the worst damage to your home. If you can see mold from the inside of your home, it could be a sign that your siding needs to be replaced. Sometimes mold isn’t visible from the inside, and all you can detect is a faint musty smell. Mold can be a dangerous substance and you’ll probably need to replace your siding if that’s the cause.
2. What type of material is best for my home?
The type of material that would be best for your home can depend on many factors, so you’ll need to have a discussion with a professional siding contractor to figure this out. You will want to consider things like how much insulation you may require, the amount of maintenance involved, and of course, how much it will cost.
There are some siding materials that will require more maintenance and ongoing repairs than others (like wood). And there are other siding materials that can be a little more expensive in the beginning, but won’t force you to buy a pressure washer or get out the 12-foot ladder and scrub it down with soap and water (like fiber cement siding).
If you don’t need to insulate your home, are really set on having real wood, and are willing to perform routine maintenance, there’s nothing wrong with choosing wood for your siding job. However, if maintenance isn’t your thing and you just want a low cost, low maintenance siding job, you may want to choose vinyl. Either way, a siding contractor can help you make the right decision.
3. What will my home look like when the siding is installed?
It’s not always easy to picture the way your home will look after a new siding job and looking at samples can only do so much. Sometimes you can get a clear picture by looking at other homes that have installed the same type of siding, but looking at other houses won’t tell you if the siding will match your roof or your neighbor’s houses.
James Hardie, the leader in fiber cement siding, offers a great resource guide for selecting colors based on your roof, your trim, and even what feelings warmer or cooler colors will evoke.
Sometimes darker colored siding tends to make smaller houses look dreary, even though the color might look great on the sample. Your siding contractor will have the experience necessary to tell you what color choices would be a good fit for your home’s architecture.
4. Will it match my neighbors’ color schemes?
While you’re probably not going to select your siding just to please your neighbors, you want to make sure your new siding job doesn’t completely conflict with the color scheme of your neighbors’ homes. Even the most beautiful siding job can look strange when it’s attached to a home nestled between two houses that completely conflict in colors.
A siding contractor can help you match your siding materials to the general theme that surrounds your home.
5. How long can I expect the whole project to take?
A great siding contractor can give you a very accurate estimate on how long your project will take. Because they have extensive experience, they can accurately calculate the job based on the size and architecture of your house, as well as the materials you’ve chosen to use.
6. How much will the project cost?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. To get a free estimate with no obligation, contact us and we’ll put you in touch with an expert who can assess your situation, answer all of your questions, and get you the best quote for your new siding job.
