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 Sooner
or later, most homes will need exterior siding repair or
total replacement. This may be because the old siding has
deteriorated or simply because the homeowner wants to change
or update the look of their home or having an exterior that
is easier to care for. At Brennan we know this is a major
investment for the homeowner and one that should improve the
value of the home if the right choices are made. There are
several directions the homeowner can go at this point so we
have put together the following information to help you make
an educated decision that will bring you pleasure for years
to come.
There
are many types of siding, choosing the right one can change
the look and the way you maintain your home. The three most
popular types of siding that we discuss here are vinyl,
wood, and cement-fiber siding. Whatever siding you choose
make sure you chose the right home improvement partner as
installation of siding is 50 percent of the project.
Great
siding hung poorly will not beautify the home or improve its
value. This is also the time to thoroughly research not only
who your home improvement partner should be but also
research the details of the warranty of the siding product
you are considering.
 Vinyl
siding today is not your father’s siding. It has become
quite advanced from the formulation, to its strength to
choices of profiles and colors. Vinyl siding is the low
maintenance choice. It never needs painting and can be
maintained by just spraying it down with water and mild
detergent once a year.
Vinyl
siding is not only for your walls. There are products to
cover the overhangs, fascia and porch ceilings. These are
just some of the reason vinyl siding is so popular of a
choice when upgrading a home. There are a number of profile
heights and textures to compliment each home's unique
architectural design.
Mostly
all vinyl siding manufacturers carry a “limited” life time
warranty so like all warranties you should compare the
limitations.
 Wood
siding comes in large panels, shingles, or horizontal or
vertical boards. Wood is widely used for residential siding
and offers a wide range of choices.
Since
wood is a porous organic material, it absorbs and gives off
moisture which causes deterioration over time if the wood is
not properly maintained and in some environments, even if it
is.
Boards
of solid-wood siding comes in both horizontal and vertical
and in many variations. Some types to consider include
vertical board-and-batten; bevel or bungalow; drop tongue
and groove; or shiplap.
Shingle siding is another choice. This gives you the rustic
look. Shingles are higher in cost however but they don't
need paint and will last for years. Wood siding must be
re-painted every 5-7 years to keep properly maintained.
 Fiber
cement siding looks much like wood siding but does not rot
and is much more durable. Cement siding, like wood siding
comes in horizontal and vertical boards or large 4x8 sheets.
Fiber cement siding will outlast wood siding but like wood,
cement siding must be painted. Fiber cement also comes in
different profiles and textures and will also cover soffits
and fascia.
Fiber
cement is mostly used in new construction and typically has
a 30 yr warranty. Once fiber cement siding is properly
installed and painted it will add beauty and value to your
home. Most home owners that choose vinyl siding instead of
fiber cement siding want to have no exterior maintenance.
Cement fiber siding is now offered “pre-painted. There is
limited color selection but the manufacturer does warrant
the color from chipping or fading for 15 years.
While
many vinyl sidings today are designed to be totally
maintenance-free, they still become dirty, just like a
freshly painted house, a new automobile or any product
exposed to atmospheric conditions. Generally, your vinyl
siding can be cleaned satisfactorily by using an ordinary
garden hose to wash it down. If this doesn't do the job, try
the following:
1. Get
a soft-bristled, long-handled, car brush that screws into
your garden hose.
2.
Scrub it with this cleaning solution:
a.
1/2 cup laundry detergent
b.
2/3 cup of trisodium phosphate
c.
1 gallon water
In
certain geographical areas where mildew may be a problem,
substitute one quart of 5% sodium hydroxide (bleach) for one
quart of water in the above formula. For removal of more
stubborn stains, refer to the chart below.
|
Stain Removal Guide |
Cleaning Agents |
Preparation |
Special Cleaning
Procedures |
|
light oils
grease
heavy grease
caulking compound
wax
crayon
asphalt
tars, Etc. |
Solvents:
- mineral spirits
- auto tar
Remover |
Remove excess with
plastic or wood scraper. |
Use soft cloth to
apply mineral spirits. Avoid polishing stained area
by using too much pressure. After removing stain,
rinse area with water. |
|
Inks
nail polish
paint
lipstick
gum |
cleaning fluid |
Remove excess with
plastic or wood scraper.
Chill gum to remove excess. |
Use soft cloth to
apply cleaning fluids. Avoid polishing stained area
by using too much pressure. After removing stain,
rinse area with water. |
|
rust stains |
Oxalic acid – auto
radiator Cleaner |
Make solution of 1
tablespoon of Oxalic acid crystal to 1 cup warm
water. |
Apply Oxalic solution
with soft bristle brush, wipe with damp cloth, and
then flush with rust-free water. Use rubber gloves
and protect eyes and face. |
|
stubborn stains |
Xylene – lacquer
thinner |
Try above procedures.
If they fail to remove spots, then use this
procedure. |
Dampen small section
of cloth with Xylene, rub vigorously. Do not remove
any more material than necessary. Rinse area with
water. |
If the
house is extremely dirty, you should start washing from the
bottom and go to the top, rinsing frequently. The cleaning
solution should be left on the siding for several minutes
before rinsing.
|
1. |
Contributes
to Green Building Certification - Vinyl siding
can contribute to achieving points in leading green
building certification programs. Insulated vinyl
siding may help achieve significantly more points. |
|
2. |
Boosts
R-Value - Insulated vinyl siding helpsincrease
the exterior wall’s R-value to contribute to a
home’s energy efficiency. |
|
3. |
Generates
Little Manufacturing Waste - The ability to
return scrap and off-spec materials into vinyl
siding’s manufacturing process results in virtually
no manufacturing waste. |
|
4. |
Leaves
Little Installation Scrap - Studies show that
average scrap rates from vinyl siding installation
are less than 1.9% of total construction waste. |
|
5. |
Requires
Fewer Resources to Maintain - Vinyl siding does
not require painting, staining or caulking. This
lowers the cost of maintenance and avoids releasing
harmful solvents into the environment. |
|
6. |
Engineered
to Last a Lifetime - Durability is the key to
sustainability. The NAHB has cited “Lifetime” as the
estimated life expectancy of vinyl siding on a home. |
|
7. |
Delivers
Better Environmental Performance - Vinyl siding
has excellent environmental performance compared
with other exterior cladding based on the use of a
life-cycle assessment tool compliant with ISO 14044. |
|
8. |
Provides
Excellent Economic Performance - Vinyl siding
also provides exemplary economic performance when
evaluating costs associated with all life-cycle
stages, from raw material acquisition to waste
management. |
|
9. |
Contributes
Less to Global Warming - Combining the amount of
energy saved with manufacturing and transportation,
vinyl siding contributes significantly less to
global warming than other exterior cladding. |
|
10. |
Releases
Fewer Toxic Chemicals - Compared to other
exterior cladding, vinyl siding releases
significantly lower levels of toxic chemicals,
including mercury and silver, into the environment. |
|
11. |
Emits Less
Dioxin - Despite considerable growth in the
production of vinyl products over the past 20 years,
the level of dioxin released has decreased by nearly
90% over the same time period. |
|
12. |
Poses No
Health Risk - Unlike silica-based fiber cement,
vinyl siding does not utilize any materials that can
cause adverse health effects to installers – or to
anyone. |
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