The NJ Homeowner’s Siding Guide

There is no question that no other building materials play such a key role in your home. Not only is it a factor in the overall appearance in your home, it protects it against the harshest elements and for those reasons adds architectural character and value.

Usually, a vinyl siding replacement recoups more than 80 percent of its initial cost at resale and fiber cement siding returns about 84 percent.

GUIDE TO COMMON SIDING REPLACEMENT OPTIONS

Vinyl Siding

Tough, durable, and widely available in many styles and colors. Color permeates the material and won’t reveal nicks and scratches. Today’s standards ensure that vinyl siding will maintain its shape in extreme temperatures, provide resistance to high winds, and retain its color.

Benefits: Light weight makes for speedy installation; can be retrofit over existing siding; little maintenance; top-quality brands offer transferable lifetime guarantees to subsequent buyers.

Drawbacks: Seams will show where the ends of standard 12-foot panels overlap. Extra-long panels virtually eliminate seams for an additional cost of about 30%.

Green factor: Vinyl has a long replacement cycle of 30 to 50 years, but the same ingredient that makes it durable—polyvinyl chloride or PVC—doesn’t degrade in landfills. Byproducts of PVC production may include dioxin and other toxins.

Metal Siding

The popularity—and availability—of steel and aluminum siding is waning because vinyl has evolved as the better low-cost option. Metal siding comes in many pre-finished colors and features styles that mimic wood. Modern metal sidings are dent-resistant, insect- and fire-proof, and require little maintenance. With proper care, steel and aluminum siding will last more than 50 years.

Benefits: Light weight speeds installation; baked-on paint enamel finishes won’t need periodic repainting.

Drawbacks: Not readily available in all areas; dents are permanent; scratches should be touched up with a quality, color-matched house paint.

Green factor: Aluminum siding products may contain up to 30% recycled content.

Fiber-cement Siding

Fiber-cement siding is made from a mixture of wood fibers, Portland cement, clay, and sand. It’s slowly gaining market share as consumers become more aware of its rugged durability, low maintenance, and weather-resistance. Because it’s made from a liquid cement like mixture, it can be molded to closely resemble painted wood, stucco, or masonry. It’s also termite-proof, fire-resistant, and doesn’t rot. A 30-year warranty is standard.

Benefits: Pre-finished fiber-cement siding eliminates the need for painting after installation, yet the material accepts repainting easily when you want to change colors. It resists thermal expansion and contraction, so paint and caulk hold up well; in some areas, fiber-cement is considered to be masonry and may qualify you for lower home insurance premiums—check with your agent.

Drawbacks: Fiber cement materials are heavy. Installation requires specialty tools and techniques, adding to labor costs (about 50 percent more than vinyl). Search for bids and find an installer who’s familiar with the product.

Green factor: The production of Portland cement is associated with CO2 emissions, which are probably offset by the material’s extreme longevity. However, because fiber-cement is relatively new, that longevity has yet to bear out.

Composite Siding

This product serves to protect the interior of the structures from water, debris, and the elements. It comes in a variety of materials and textures and is often used as a means to give a home a certain aesthetic appearance. Its versatility allows it to be used in a wide range of decors and designs, making it the go-to material of choice for homeowners and contractors alike.

Benefits: It withstands strenuous weather, and won’t attract fungus and mold like most wood-based sidings. Composite house siding also won’t warp with fluctuating temperatures or humidity levels, and is low-maintenance.

Drawbacks: However, despite dozen benefits it can offer, there are still other typical and distinctive problems and drawbacks you can point out. Sometimes there can be edge cracking, buckling, and moisture content which is more than 25 percent (excessive). It also is heavy and can be difficult to install when fiber cement board is used. It is poor in relation to providing thermal insulation. And the dust from certain kinds of composite siding is harmful to the respiratory system of the human body.

Wood Siding

Wood siding comes in many species and grades, and what you select—and pay—depends on how you plan to finish the material. If you want the natural beauty of wood to show through a clear or semi-transparent stain, you’ll need to opt for more expensive grades with fewer knots and other defects.

Benefits: Easy-to-shape-and-cut material requires few specialized skills for installation, reducing labor costs; with proper care, wood will last 100 years or more—longer than synthetic materials; superior aesthetics.

Drawbacks: Can be expensive; requires repainting every 5 years, re-staining every 3 years, or applying a clear finish every 2 years, for which a professional painter will charge thousands; retrofitting with wood means a complete tear-off of existing materials; non-moisture-resistant species, such as pine and fir, are susceptible to rot.

Sidings vary in so many ways. Thus understanding how things work is essential to know which will best suit your purpose.

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