Six IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SIDING CONTRACTOR
1. Can my siding be repaired or does it need to be replaced?
Your home's siding is the main thing protecting it from the harsh elements (especially water) here in the Northwest. If your siding is failing, your home might be getting damaged every time it rains. Water damage to your interior's drywall and insulation needs to be repaired and at first can be hard to detect.
Some forms of damage can be hidden and are only seen by removing the siding. Rotting wood is the worst kind of hidden damage. Typically this occurs after years of moisture contact between the siding and the wooden frame of your home.
An experienced contractor can show you areas that can be repaired or if the siding is failing and needs to be completely replaced.
A good siding contractor will:
Look for areas and signs of failure. Depending on the siding material and it's maintenance over the years, siding can start to deteriorate and show it's age. Vinyl siding often will warp, and crack. Wood siding can start to rot from continued exposure to moisture.
Check for missing, exposed or rusty nails. Nails aren’t supposed to pop out after they are set, this can be a sign your siding has been expanding or contracting due to weather. If you notice nails are missing, that’s a sign that your siding could quite literally fall off. A good siding job will use stainless steel nails that do not rust.
Look for signs of insects or rodents. Homes with wood siding could have either small rodents or termites that chew their way into the walls through your home's siding.
In the Northwest we are no strangers to rain and unfortunately, moisture can create some of the worst damage to your home's siding. Check for signs of wood rot and mold. If you see mold on the inside of your home, it could be a sign that your siding needs to be replaced.
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2. What siding materials are best for my home?
There are a number of things to consider when deciding on the right siding that would be best for your home. Things like how much insulation may be required, maintenance involved to care for the type of siding, and of course, how much the materials and installation will cost. Having a discussion with a professional siding contractor will help you figure this out.
Some siding materials such as wood require much more maintenance and upkeep than others. Then there are other siding materials that can be a little more expensive up front, but won’t require the maintenance like fiber cement siding.
If you don’t need additional insulation, enjoy the look and aesthetic of real wood, and don't mind the maintenance, wood is a great choice.
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3. What will my home look like after the new siding is installed?
It can be tough to picture how your home will look after a new siding job. Sometimes it can help to look at other homes that have already installed the same type of siding, but houses won’t give you a clear picture of how the siding will match your roof or your neighbor’s houses.
James Hardie, currently the leader in fiber cement siding, offers a resource guide for color selection based on your roof, your trim, and even the feelings a warmer or cooler might inspire.
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4. Can it match my neighborhoods’ color palette?
While you’re siding selection and color will be personal you will want to be sure to adhere to your neighborhood's approved color schemes.
A good siding contractor can help you match your siding materials to the general theme and aesthetic that surrounds your home.
5. How long should I expect it to take?
A great siding contractor can give you a very accurate estimate on how long your project will take. They will provide the potential variables that could come up after they start and the time frame required. Their contracting experience helps them accurately calculate the job based on the size and architecture of your house, and the materials you’ve decided to use.
6. How much will it cost?
Finally, this is one of if not the most important question you can ask. For a free estimate and likely more information than you ever expected to know about your job, contact us and we’ll come out and take a look, answer your questions, and provide an honest estimate and quote for your new siding job.