If you’ve ever wondered, everything you need to know about vinyl siding and its installation can be found right here. Paramount Siding and Windows in Denver provides a wide range of different siding styles, including wood, metal, vinyl and sustainable compound siding. We offer custom installation and professional services to both homeowners and commercial customers. We’ve noticed that vinyl siding is a favorite in Colorado. Regarding pricing and convenience, it really stands out from the crowd.
Before you make any decisions about the type of siding you want for your home, continue reading our in-depth analysis of vinyl siding. Once you know the pros and cons, as well how to choose the right kind of vinyl siding for your home, you will be better equipped to make a good decision. Siding is your home’s protective shield against the elements, as well as the visual first impression of your home’s exterior.
What are the key benefits of vinyl siding?
The strong selling points of vinyl siding are its ease of maintenance, comparatively low cost and the wide selection of designs available. Compared to wood siding, vinyl requires almost no maintenance. You don’t have to worry about the cost or hassle of having your home repainted every 5 years or so. Termites, mold, rust and other conditions that can damage the integrity and appearance of traditional siding materials will not affect the durable PVC used to make vinyl siding.
It is usually more affordable to clad your entire home with vinyl siding than with brick siding, steel siding, wood siding or other alternative materials. In addition to a lower upfront cost, vinyl will not cost you in regular maintenance over the years. It is long-lasting and a low-risk investment. Vinyl siding is available in a wide range of colors, textures, and designs, meaning homeowners can get creative with the exterior aesthetics of their home.
Who should avoid vinyl siding?
For the clear majority of homeowners, vinyl siding is an excellent investment that can protect and add value to your home. There is one exception to the rule, however. If you live in a historic neighborhood with carefully restored houses, you may want to reconsider using vinyl siding. In this situation, opting for vinyl can have an adverse impact on the value of your home if it sticks out. For historical neighborhoods, it is better to stick to whatever style and materials are traditionally used there.
Further concerns about vinyl siding
When it comes to everything you need to know about vinyl siding, it’s also prudent to look at all the challenges. Most objections to vinyl siding come from those who believe that vinyl has a shiny plastic look, and should not be used to clad homes. While it is true that PVC is a type of plastic, it is a specially engineered material designed to protect homes and withstand weathering. And modern, commercially produced vinyl siding no longer fades or yellows when exposed to UV radiation from the sun.
Another problem commonly attributed to vinyl siding is that it can mask issues with moisture in the walls of your home, making it difficult to identify and potentially worsening the problem. In reality, if your walls have leaks or are affected by condensation of moisture, this is an independent problem. Any siding covering the exterior of your home’s walls will make it difficult to observe mold growth or damp spots. Before installing any type of siding, you should have your home inspected by a professional, and all leaks repaired. Properly installed vinyl siding will increase the likelihood of dampness entering your home.
Concerning aesthetics, modern vinyl siding does not have to look ‘plastic.’ Nowadays it is available in a range of different textures and matt finishes. You have probably passed many homes covered in vinyl siding and not even realized it. If you want the look of wood siding without the cost and hassle of maintenance, ask us about low gloss, vinyl siding with a wood grain pattern in a natural tone.
Characteristics of quality vinyl siding
Knowing what to look for when choosing your vinyl siding can make a big difference in the quality of your results. There are some technical specifications set out by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for the minimum standards in vinyl siding. When shopping for siding, it can be useful to have these figures on hand. For example, the ASTM standard requires vinyl siding panels to be 0.035 in. thick, whereas you can often find higher quality products with a thickness of 0.04 in. or 0.045 in.
Vinyl soffit panels bridge the gap between the roofline and your home’s siding. These panels should be at least 0.05in. thick. They are secured at the edges only, needing extra strength and rigidity to prevent sagging over time. Another property to check is the anti-weathering additives of your chosen vinyl siding. The color of vinyl siding permeates all the way through its thickness, so there is no possibility of it flaking or chipping off. Exposure to UV rays can damage the vibrancy of vinyl colors, however, so it is important to ask your siding contractor about the specific components such as titanium oxide that can be added to improve the resistance of vinyl siding.
Professional Installation
Correct installation is one of the key factors in making sure your vinyl siding delivers flawless protection and looks good for years to come. Vinyl siding expands and contracts in reaction to changing temperatures. If your vinyl siding is not installed by an experienced and competent contractor, you may end up with buckled or warped siding before long. A professional will always leave at least 1/4 in. clearance where the panel butts up against a window or other another stop point.
You may notice the nailing slots at the top of each siding panel, the nails should be driven into the center of this slot, and a gap of around 1/32 in. left between the nail head and the surface of the siding panel. This allows the vinyl freedom to shift slightly in response to temperature changes, without coming up against resistance. The nails used should be corrosion resistant to prevent unsightly rust marks in the future.
Now that we have gone through the advantages and disadvantages of vinyl siding, as well as the technical specifications and installation standards, you should be clear on nearly everything you need to know about vinyl siding before making a purchase. For specific queries or to schedule an in-home consultation, you can call Paramount Siding and Windows, your professional siding contractors in Denver.