Whether your house needs new siding or you’re building a new home, selecting the right material involves considering several factors. These include architectural style, budget, and maintenance requirements. Contact Charleston Siding Pros now!
Natural wood may be the best choice for restoring a historic home, but vinyl, fiber cement, or stucco are superior choices for homeowners who want a low-maintenance option. Insulated vinyl is also available, adding R-value to reduce energy costs.
The exterior of your home speaks volumes before guests or potential buyers even step through the front door. Your cladding sets the tone for your home’s aesthetic and plays an important role in regulating indoor temperatures and reducing energy bills. That’s why it pays to invest in innovative siding upgrades that elevate both the look of your house and its overall efficiency.
With its timeless appeal, board and batten siding offers a classic look for traditional homes and contemporary structures alike. It adds a unique element and architectural flair to gables and windows, while complementing awnings and other decorative details. Its durability and natural beauty make it a popular choice for homeowners seeking a sustainable option.
Wood is another enduring siding option, offering warmth and character that’s unmatched by synthetic materials. Though it’s more expensive than vinyl, it’s durable and low-maintenance, and can be repainted to match any color palette. It’s also a great choice for nature-lovers and environmentalists, as it is made from renewable material that doesn’t contribute to climate change.
No matter which cladding material you choose, curb appeal is largely a result of your home’s architecture and landscape design. Make sure to incorporate elements that complement the shape of your house, accentuate its most prominent features, and reflect your personal style. The right landscaping can enhance your house’s natural beauty and make it feel like a welcoming home, while walkways and retaining walls can frame the entryway in a stylish way.
If your siding has seen better days, a fresh coat of paint can restore its look and boost your home’s curb appeal. Consider painting your cladding with an eye-catching shade, such as this tangerine orange that perfectly contrasts the dark blue-gray of the siding.
Other simple curb appeal improvements include updating your address numbers, porch light, locksets, and mailboxes. These details may seem minor, but they can have a big impact when viewed as a cohesive collection. Opt for finishes that coordinate with your chosen siding material and reflect your home’s overall aesthetic, such as oil-bronze sconces or brushed nickel mailboxes.
Energy Efficiency
Siding, along with a roof, protects a home or other building from the elements: sun, rain/snow, heat and cold. It’s also designed to enhance the visual appearance of a building or structure. In addition, it can add to a property’s value, particularly when it is energy efficient.
Upgrading to a new siding material can help reduce your energy consumption, leading to savings on your monthly utility bills. One way to make your siding more energy efficient is by choosing a material with a higher R-value, which measures the ability of a material to resist unwanted heat flow. A higher R-value means a greater insulating power, so look for materials like insulated vinyl siding, CedarBoards insulated siding and composite siding with high R-values to increase your home’s energy efficiency.
These modern siding materials are not only energy efficient, but they are also long-lasting. Many of them are also low maintenance, allowing you to spend less time cleaning and more time relaxing. For instance, fiber cement siding can last up to 50 years and requires little to no maintenance other than regular cleaning. Additionally, this type of siding is very environmentally friendly, as it is made from recycled materials and produces less pollution during production.
Moreover, some of these modern materials offer an authentic wood grain appearance with added durability and weather resistance. For example, LP SmartSide siding is treated with engineered wood strand technology and added zinc borate, which helps it resist moisture, fungus and termite damage. It is available in a variety of styles and textures, including beveled lap siding planks, shingles and shakes and stucco panel styles.
While the upfront cost of a new siding may seem expensive, the long-term savings on your energy bills can more than offset the initial investment. In fact, some homeowners are able to recoup the cost of their new siding within a few years.
Energy efficient siding can boost your home’s resale value, as potential buyers will likely be willing to pay more for a home that will save them money on their energy bills. Furthermore, making a sustainable choice can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
Maintenance
Whether your siding is real wood, fiber cement or vinyl, it requires regular care to protect against weathering and maintain its color. Regular cleaning will prevent dirt buildup that can damage the surface and lead to moisture infiltration, which may cause further problems. In general, most siding materials can be cleaned with a garden hose and a scrub brush. For more stubborn dirt or mildew, a pressure washer can be used but with care to avoid damaging the surface. Mold and mildew can be removed by applying a solution of one part bleach to four parts water and scrubbing the affected area. Be sure to sand the surface afterward to remove any lingering spores.
In addition to a thorough cleaning, other maintenance steps include repairing cracks or gaps in the siding. Sealing and caulking these areas can enhance your home’s energy efficiency, reduce air infiltration and prevent moisture damage. Be sure to use a high-quality caulk that is compatible with your siding material. Also, check the condition of the weather stripping around doors and windows. Replacing it promptly will help prevent moisture from entering your home and causing damage to the underlying structure or, in extreme cases, interior drywall.
Moisture can damage your siding by promoting mold, mildew and rot, which can lead to wood rot and structural damage. Moisture infiltration can also damage insulation, affecting your home’s energy efficiency. To minimize this risk, ensure there is proper drainage around your home’s foundation and trim trees, shrubs and plants. In general, keep vegetation at least a foot away from your siding to allow for adequate airflow and prevent moisture retention.
While it’s not practical to inspect all of your siding at once, try to take a walk-around every few months to look for signs of wear and tear. Check for gnaw marks or small holes, which could indicate the presence of termites or carpenter ants. Also, be sure to regularly check the soffit for any gaps or cracks. If a problem is noticed, it’s best to contact a professional as soon as possible to make repairs before the issue worsens.
Installation
The best siding material on the market is useless if it is not properly installed. A professional installer can help ensure that your home’s new exterior meets or exceeds expectations, while providing a long-lasting product backed by a robust warranty. Look for a contractor with experience working with the specific type of siding you’re interested in and an established record of quality work. Ask for references and check online reviews to learn more about a contractor’s skills, knowledge of the industry, and past client experiences.
Begin your siding project by carefully removing any downspouts, special molding, or light fixtures that are in close proximity to the walls you’re planning on covering. Also, tie back any plants and shrubbery to provide yourself with ample space to work while cladding your home.
Before beginning to install the actual siding, lay out a chalk line down the length of each wall you’re going to be working on. Use the chalk line as a guide when nailing in the starter strips and corner pieces.
Next, install all of the necessary pieces of J-channel for your project (including angled sections on gables and dormers). Once this is complete, you can begin to start installing your vinyl siding panels. Before nailing a panel in place, make sure it’s positioned correctly by grabbing it with your hand and gently pulling it down to see if it clips into the starter strip. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to use a utility strip or “undersill” trim to add additional thickness for it to lock in.
After the first piece is nailed in place, sheath the remaining walls with insulation and trim around any doors and windows. Then, you can start laying your vinyl panels, starting with the upper portion of the wall you’re working on. As you’re laying each panel, use a snap lock punch to create a line of holes about a quarter inch below the bottom of the cut edge every 16 inches. This will prevent water infiltration.
As you work, remember that it’s important to leave a slight gap between each panel to allow for expansion and contraction as the weather changes. The gaps also provide a nice design detail to your home’s exterior.