Which Siding Is Best for You? These Questions Will Help...

Article Summary: If you are looking for siding in New England, read this article for helpful tips.

How long do I plan to live in this house?
How much maintenance am I willing to live with?
Is my house in an area with high moisture?
Can I live with one color for the rest of my time here?
Do I like the shingle look or clapboards?
What's the condition of my current siding and sheathing?
Is my wall insulation sufficient?
What type of siding does my neighborhood warrant?
Have I seen an abundance of ants, bugs, and termites in or around my home?
Do I want to add decorative accents like shutters, pediments, and dentals?

How long do I plan to live in this house?

If you plan to be in your home for a long time, make a decision based on what you want. Choose the siding you and your family will enjoy for years to come. If you'd rather not be scraping and painting every 4-7 years, or hiring someone to do so, then wood siding is probably not the best choice. If you don't want to make a final decision on color then you might want to avoid vinyl products which can't be painted. Fiber-cement siding might be a good solution.

Those planning on moving within 5 years should consider what will help sell the house. A low-maintenance exterior is key. Most potential buyers understand and appreciate the initial cost of the property and the residual costs to come including exterior maintenance.

Regardless of your decision, studies by Remodeler magazine show that your return usually exceeds the initial cost, so consider this a value adding investment to your property.

How much maintenance am I willing to live with?

The real question here is what is important ease-of-maintenance or traditional appeal? In my experience, homeowners like the look and feel of wood, but are attracted to the ease of maintenance vinyl offers. The introduction and development of newer vinyl products such as Nailite® vinyl shingles and Norandex Home Accents® give homeowners the more traditional look they desire with much less maintenance down the road. Hardieplank® fiber-cement and PVC trim, such as Azek® or Toughboard®, is also a good compromise. Without close inspection most people cannot detect that these products aren't wood. For some there is no substitute for real cedar clapboard or shingles, and the recurring maintenance and expense is worth the hassle. For that I recommend pre-primed CVG clapboard.

Is my house in an area with high moisture?

Moisture-laden properties are more prone to have issues with wood rot and peeling paint. Consider the use of vinyl or fiber-cement. Mildew can grow on all 3 products, but vinyl and fiber-cement are easier to clean or power wash without damaging.

Can I live with one color for the rest of my time here?

Having met with thousands of homeowners we know there are those who can make a decision and be happy with it for decades. This type of person can handle the life-long color choice when it comes to vinyl products. There are those who like to flow with the latest trends in home design. This type should consider wood or fiber-cement if they intend to change the color scheme of their home in the future.

Do I like the shingle look or clapboards?

Currently both options are available in each category (wood, vinyl, or fiber-cement). You have more options for size and style with wood or vinyl than you do with fiber-cement.

What's the condition of my current siding and sheathing?

Having been involved in several hundred siding projects over the past several years, I know that there's usually more going on under your existing siding than expected. There is often rot, and moisture damage that is undetectable from the surface, especially with Masonite and pressed-board type products. Some companies will convince you to install new vinyl siding right over the existing. But I recommend stripping the surface to unveil potential problems.

Is my wall insulation sufficient?

If your home was built before the 1960s chances are you have little to no wall insulation. If your home was build before 1990 chances are there isn't an effective moisture barrier underneath your siding. With wood and fiber-cement siding your options are to blow-in cellulose insulation during the project, and wrap the house underneath the new siding with a moisture barrier such as Tyvek® or Typar. Another alternative is Generations® thermal-core vinyl siding, which is a pre-insulated vinyl clapboard that has a polystyrene panel contoured to the back surface.

What type of siding does my neighborhood warrant?

Especially here is New England there are traditional neighborhoods where the use of vinyl siding is frowned upon. If you live in an area like this, good quality, CVG cedar is still an option. If you desire something with less maintenance required, consider Hardie-plank® fiber-cement siding and Cellular PVC trim products such as Azek® or Toughboard®.

Have I seen an abundance of ants, bugs, and termites in or around my home?

If your property is more prone to ant or termite infestation, I recommend steering clear of wood products. Hardieplank® is completely impervious to insects, and Generations® insulated vinyl is treated with Borate a natural mineral that resists ants and termites.

Do I want to add decorative accents like shutters, pediments, and dentals?

Whatever option you choose for your new siding, you'll have some flexibility with the accents. Wood shutters are rare except in traditional neighborhoods, Vinyl shutters require much less maintenance, and are less expensive. Dental molding can be installed in vinyl, wood, or Cellular PVC. Fypon® makes beautiful crossheads, and pediments for windows and doors. Midamerica® siding components is an excellent source for vinyl details and accents.

Peter Martino is a Project Consultant for United Home Experts, a leader for siding in Massachusetts. Founded in 1997 as United Painting Co. Inc., United Home Experts specializes in roofing, siding, windows, and painting. Over the past 10 years they have served over 5000 customer in southeastern New England, and continue to focus their business on quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service in order to grow their reputation as reliable Massachusetts contractors.