As an alternative to aluminum siding, vinyl is the most commonly used siding option in the United States. The two layers that compose vinyl siding are composed in such a way to be strong in the elements and to keep costs lower during the manufacturing process.
Vinyl siding truly requires little maintenance. Replacement (in the case of damage) is typically easier to do than other siding options. This is what makes this a key advantage over other siding option. You will never need to paint it to maintain that “fresh” and “clean” look. You may want to power wash the siding once every few years to clean it from debris or dirt that may have accumulated on the surface.
Vinyl siding is manufactured in such a way that it should last you a long time. Warranties are typically 20 years or more and transferrable in the vent that you sell your home. As far as temperature goes, vinyl siding is typically resistant to heat, cold, and moisture — all of which hit extremes here in the northeast.
There are many benefits to vinyl siding that make it the best choice for your home. It is a great material for weather resistance. The installation method allows for the vinyl material to expand and contract with the changing weather. This is key since Albany tends to get extreme temperatures in the summer as well as in the winter. Vinyl siding can also withstand high winds, and is resistant to the cold, heat as well as moisture. The installation method also reduces the water accumulation on your house. In addition to this, cost efficiency, a wide variety of colors to choose from, as well as the low maintenance aspect makes vinyl siding a great option.
Although vinyl siding is a flammable material, unless it is directly exposed to an open flame, it will not melt. According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, even when vinyl siding is exposed to direct sunlight or the reflection from flat window glass, the routine temperature achieved will not be enough to distort or melt the siding.
Poor siding installation is usually the culprit to why the siding becomes wavy over time. Due to changing weather, the vinyl siding needs to be installed in a way that will allow for it to expand and contract. If the siding is nailed down too tight, it will not have any room to move horizontally. This will cause the siding to warp during the thermal changes and become wavy.
Since vinyl siding provides a continuous blanket around the shell of the home, it will always be an energy efficient option. The extent of the energy efficiency will depend on the thickness of the siding as well as the thickness of the insulation underneath the siding itself. There are options that we offer that include insulation directly in the siding itself. View some of the insulated siding here. The thicker the insulation, the less heat will escape through the framing of the house.
Vinyl siding can either be cleaned with a long, soft-bristled brush and a hose, or using a power washer. You can use a bucket with three parts water to one part chlorine solution and use the brush to clean the siding. You can then rinse it with a regular garden hose. Be careful to make sure you do dilute the chlorine. Another cleaning solution you can use is 1/3 cup of laundry detergent, 2/3 part powdered detergent and a gallon of water. You can also use a solution made with 70% water and 30% vinegar. Any one of the solutions can be used. You can also purchase different cleaning solutions at your local hardware store if you plan on using a power washer to do the cleaning. How often should you clean your siding? It really depends on the location of your house. If it is in a wooded area, more debris will accumulate around the house and on the siding. If it is in a high traffic area, dust will tend to accumulate as well. Use your best judgement to see if your siding is getting dirty and needs to be cleaned.
This is often a common misconception. There are many styles that vinyl siding comes in including vertical and horizontal paneling, fish scales, lap, beaded designs as well as shake style designs. There are also more than 300 different colors available to choose from. Ultimately, hiring the right siding contractor like Home Evolution will allow the largest range of siding options to choose from. You can view some of the color options available, you can visit the following links below.
The thickness of vinyl siding directly correlates with the quality of the siding itself. Thicker siding material allows for the design and grain to be more prevalent and visible on the siding, giving your home more curb appeal. Thicker siding is also less prone to sagging over time. It is also more durable so it will not crack or break easily and less likely to be damaged from hail. Here is a breakdown of the different grades and thicknesses of vinyl siding.
1. Economy Grade: 0.038”
2. Builder Grade: 0. 040”
3. Average Vinyl: 0.044”
4. Upgraded Vinyl: 0.046”
5. Premium Grade: 0.048”
6. Top of the Line: > 0.055”
The only downside to thicker vinyl siding is the fact that it does tend to be more expensive per square foot.
Vinyl siding is one of the most economical options when it comes to siding on your home. It is also a difficult question because the price of the vinyl installation will vary depending on the brand, design and thickness of the siding you choose. The thickness, quality and insulation of the vinyl siding or framing will determine the price point of the vinyl siding installation. Give us a call today to set up a free estimate to determine an exact price for siding your home. When compared to other siding substrates, vinyl siding is the most affordable option. It is the best option as it is easily installed and does not need to be painted down the road.
One of the most common causes of vinyl siding discoloration is caused by UV rays coming from natural sunlight. Unfortunately, this is something that is unavoidable. As technology has improved, the siding on the market today holds up much better to the sunlight and does not fade as much. One way to combat color fading is to choose lighter siding colors. Darker colors tend to absorb more UV rays as well as heat, causing the color fading to be more noticeable. Other factors such as chemicals from lawn maintenance, mold, mildew, or even repainting a deck can cause the siding to be discolored. It is important to realize this and keep chemicals away from the siding when cleaning your deck, spraying chemicals on your lawn, etc.
With the improvement of technology, vinyl siding is made to last from around 20 to 40 years depending on the thickness of the siding you purchase. This is assuming that the siding was installed properly by a qualified siding contractor. Determining the lifespan of your vinyl siding will ultimately depend on the siding thickness, the weather conditions it is put through, as well as the maintenance. There are certain manufacturers that will offer a lifetime warranty. However, these are almost always offered on the premium vinyl siding lines.
With over 300 different colors and manufacturers to choose from, choosing the vinyl siding for your home can be a daunting task. First, take a look at your home exterior. You will want to choose something that matches well with the house facade. What color are the roof shingles? The trim around the house? Is there brick or stone anywhere on the house? You will want to make sure that the color you choose will match all of these elements. This will narrow down your color choices and help you zone in on the exact color you want for your new siding. Something to keep in mind is the fact that most trim can be repainted to match the new siding.
Other Siding Related Links: Vinyl Siding Installers / Vinyl Siding / Siding Repair / Damaged Siding / Siding Color Issues / Moisture Issues