Articles by QW HON on ArticleSnatch.com

Installing Vinyl Siding: Never Worry over Rotting Wood Again

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:41:41 -0400

Rotting siding can cause your worst nightmare, e.g. structural damage to your home. If you are going to have to deal with it sooner rather than later, you should at least learn about why installing vinyl on your home is a great solution. Your old wooden clapboard siding is rotting away. So now is definitely a good time to decide on a new exterior for your home, so why not look into vinyl siding installation? Is Vinyl Cladding The Right Pick For Your Home? Vinyl siding is the most popular choice for home exteriors when compared to fiber cement, wood shake or aluminum siding. The vinyl industry has come a long way by producing a range of colors, patterns and accessories to keep up the curb appeal, while adding tremendous value to your home. Some major benefits of vinyl cladding installation on your home are: color selection durability ease of maintenance accessories manufacturer's warranty Whether you are trying to achieve a historic or modern aesthetic, any type of style can be achieved with today's vinyl cladding. Other Considerations for Installing Vinyl Cladding **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> siding colors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in the variety of vinyl siding colors and installing vinyl siding .

How to find a deal on vinyl siding prices

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:47:09 -0400

Find the best deals on vinyl siding by gathering multiple estimates. Prices for siding vary widely based on style, insulation and materials. Thicker siding is better because it hides imperfections and adds additional protection. You can save money by shopping around for vinyl siding styles and gathering estimates from various contractors. The trick is in asking the right questions and sticking to your budget. Vinyl siding is available in varying thicknesses and grades, from the narrowest residential grade (.044) up to super-thick residential grade (.050). By selecting the thickness, insulation factor, style and color that is right for your home, you can seek bids from and select among competing siding contractors. Some other tips to keep your estimate down include asking the contractors about government incentives, manufacturer rebates, and other tips to reduce the cost. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> vinyl siding prices]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, including knowledge on vinyl siding prices and expertise in selecting the best vinyl siding colors , and installing vinyl siding .

Low siding prices do not necessarily mean lower quality

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:46:06 -0400

Are you interested in learning what is factored in a siding quote for your home? The thickness of vinyl siding is the primary indicator of its grade, and is often reflected in its price. But new technology gives some thinner, less expensive grades the edge. Find how much it would cost to have vinyl siding installed on your house. Vinyl siding is certainly not a one-size-fits-all product. Beyond color and style, the cost and quality are usually a concern. Durability is important if you want your siding to last. Not too long ago, the thickness of vinyl siding determined siding prices and quality. But according to a big study conducted by Consumer Reports in 2009, the thickness of vinyl siding is not necessarily an indication of its durability. Comparing vinyl siding prices based on grades Vinyl siding is available in three different grades: value, mid-grade and premium. These different grades usually correlate with price. The most thin type of siding, called building grade, ranges from .040 to .042-inches thick. Building grade siding has typically been considered the value grade. It is the least expensive, starting at around $0.45 a square foot, but it can lack durability. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> vinyl siding prices]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, including knowledge on vinyl siding prices and expertise in selecting the best vinyl siding colors , and installing vinyl siding .

Opting for factory-finished house siding colors

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:45:03 -0400

The color choices for house siding can vary depending on the material you use to side your home. If you choose vinyl or aluminum siding, you will be able to choose from the manufacturer's color palette, and the siding material will be delivered in that color. However, when it comes to fiber cement siding, stucco, and in some cases, even wood, you can select a factory finished product or paint it to suit. Material selection and house siding colors There are pros and cons to painting different siding options: Vinyl Siding used to only be available in lighter shades. Luckily, this has changed and vinyl siding colors come in a variety of both light and dark colors. Fiber cement has a wide variety of pre-finished colors available. However, if your chosen color is not among them you can purchase unpainted fiber cement siding panels and paint them. While the finish on a factory primed and top coated panel may last 25 years, an unfinished one must be repainted more frequently. If you paint, use an alkaline-resistant primer and acrylic topcoat. Stucco traditionally was applied in layers on-site. Today you can purchase stucco board siding. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> vinyl siding colors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, including knowledge on vinyl siding prices and expertise in selecting the best vinyl siding colors , and installing vinyl siding .

Traditional house siding colors by material

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:42:19 -0400

One of the advantages of installing wood, fiber cement, or stucco siding on your home is that these siding materials can be painted with almost any color. This doesn't mean that selecting the best color for your home is going to be easy, but at least you have a broad spectrum of colors to choose from. Wood siding New wood siding can be finished with paint, stain, or a protective clear coat, which highlights the natural color and grain of the wood. If you want to paint your wood siding a vibrant color, then it is important that you first prime all sides of each board, as this can help prevent the siding from warping or cupping. When using a stain to color your wood siding, you can apply the stain directly to the raw wood without priming it first. Traditional colors, such as white, beige, or tan often look best on wood lap siding that has a smooth surface, while more earthy tones of brown or gray tend to look best on rough surfaced wood siding. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> vinyl log siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, including knowledge on vinyl siding prices and expertise in selecting the best vinyl siding colors , and installing vinyl siding .

House siding colors: a regional U.S. tour

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:41:10 -0400

Looking for a new look for your house exterior? Before you decide on a siding color for your home, look around your neighborhood and your city for the perfect color that sends the right message, and makes sense for your home. What siding color will you choose? There was a time when you only had a few basic choices, e.g. cream or white, tan, brown and gray. Well, times have certainly changed; a given vinyl siding company can carry an average of 33 different colors, ranging from white to charcoal and most designer colors in between. White, cream and light brown are still the most popular siding colors, according to the Home Siding Center website. Regional siding color palettes What factors should you take into consideration? One of the main factors is the region you live in. According to Sherwin-Williams, ""color themes are derived from a region's landscape or topography, its weather and climate patterns, and, of course, its unique cultural history."" Here are some regional color tips from their website: New England. Home exteriors tend to air on the traditional and conservative side, with light colors in tan, yellow, gray and tinted white. **End Summary** Topics: siding]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, including knowledge on vinyl siding prices and expertise in selecting the best vinyl siding colors , and installing vinyl siding .

Hot trends in house siding colors

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:37:03 -0400

Siding is sold in hundreds of different colors. Learn more about the latest trends in house siding colors and what colors might work best for your area. Homeowners have literally hundreds of options when it comes to house siding colors. The Vinyl Siding Institute has certified 354 different colors through its Product Certification Program, and color is the most important factor in deciding which product to purchase, the Color Marketing Group reports. About 85 percent of consumers base their purchases on color. Regional and national trends in home siding colors Homeowners in many parts of the country often make their decisions about house siding colors based on regional geography. For instance, softer earth tones, though popular throughout the U.S., are an especially good fit in areas with a lot of brown in the topography, such as many parts of New Mexico, California, Arizona and Nevada. Brighter colors can often be found throughout sub-tropical Florida, while various shades of green are a natural fit in the Pacific Northwest. To make it easier, James Hardie, a leading manufacturer in fiber cement siding, breaks down North America into 10 separate regions. **End Summary** Topics: siding]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in selecting the best vinyl siding colors repairing vinyl log siding and installing vinyl siding .

House siding colors showcase your style

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:34:24 -0400

The house siding colors you choose are dependent on many factors: material texture, climate, and neighborhood ambience. Learn more about the availability of colors in certain siding options. Gone are the days when houses were white and barns were red. Drive through any neighborhood today and you will likely see houses in all colors and shades. If you are choosing new siding for your home, color can be a big part of your decision-making process. Color selection depends on siding materials The material that you choose for your siding will ultimately determine the variety of house colors that you have to select from. If you choose wood siding, you can paint it almost any color you want, and repaint it a different color when it starts to chip, peel, and fade. As for brick or stone veneers, these are obviously limited to the natural colors of brick and stone. However, when you are looking at materials such as metal, vinyl, and composite, you have a wide color palette from which to choose. Metal siding, commonly used for more industrial purposes, can be ordered in a wide variety of colors, which are anodized or powder-coated onto the metal. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> vinyl siding colors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in selecting the best vinyl siding colors repairing vinyl log siding and installing vinyl siding .

Should You Buy Vinyl Siding Over the Internet?

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:17:05 -0500

The Internet has completely changed the buying habits of a large percentage of the population by allowing people to shop from the comfort of their own home. One of the benefits of the Internet is that you aren't confined to retailers within easy driving distance of your house; you can find what you're looking for at an online retailer on the other side of the country or even on the other side of the world. So is the Internet a good place to shop for the vinyl siding you need for your DIY project? Buying Vinyl Siding over the Internet Depending on who you talk to, buying over the Internet can be a great experience or it can be an absolute nightmare, but if you deal with a reputable company and have reasonable expectations, there's no reason you can't successfully purchase your vinyl siding from an online retailer. There are a few tips you might want to keep in mind when making an Internet vinyl siding purchase. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding installation]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding prices and installing vinyl siding .

Create a Rustic Look for Your Home with Vinyl Shake Siding

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:16:02 -0500

One classic siding style that can give your home an attractive, rustic, look is vinyl shake siding. Traditional cedar shake siding was made by splitting cedar logs into individual shingles. These shingles were then attached in rows to side the home. While cedar shake siding is attractive, it has all the drawbacks commonly associated with wood siding. It is more expensive than modern siding options, requires more maintenance, and is less durable. Homeowners who want the traditional appearance of cedar shake siding, without the cost and hassles associated with wood siding, should instead consider vinyl shake siding. Vinyl shake siding offers the classic looks of wooden shake siding in a less expensive, more durable, and lower maintenance product. The Advantages of Vinyl Shake Siding Vinyl shake siding, like all vinyl siding, is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The material is molded into planks instead of individual shingles. Each vinyl shake siding plank looks like a row of individual cedar shingles. Typically the vinyl planks are cast from original cedar molds to reproduce the texture and grain of the original wood. Because the color is molded in as part of the manufacturing process, vinyl shake siding never needs to be painted. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding costs]]> vinyl siding colors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in installing vinyl siding and selecting vinyl siding colors .

Understanding Brick Veneer Siding Cost

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:48:07 -0500

Brick veneer is a beautiful and durable exterior siding for your home, but there are a lot of factors that can affect the cost of having it installed--it's easy to go over budget quickly if you're not careful. Brick veneer siding has more components involved than many other exterior sidings, and each component can have a big impact on your home's appearance and your wallet. Brick Veneer Siding Cost Considerations Deciding on vinyl or fiber cement siding is usually just a matter of choosing a style and color, but with brick veneer siding there are other considerations that play a part in how your home looks when completed and how your siding cost tallies up at the end of the project. Brick veneer prices are determined by: Brick type: Brick is delivered in cubes and is usually priced by the thousand; there can be a big difference in the prices of various brick styles, such as those available from companies like General Shale and Lawrenceville Brick. Mortar: Standard mortar is usually gray, but there are several other mortar colors are available for additional cost, although the mason may charge more to use them. **End Summary** Topics: siding installation]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in installing fiber cement siding and repairing vinyl siding .

Reduce Your Fiber Cement Cost Expenditures with Simple Cleaning

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:43:38 -0500

Fiber cement siding is tough to beat for ease of cleaning and basic maintenance. Keeping your siding clean not only helps to maintain the beauty of your home but reduces the need for siding replacement and major treatments for mold and mildew. Clean siding resists siding material deterioration, unsightly stains, and the need for expensive major repairs. The end result of keeping your home's exterior clean is that you save money over the long run and reduce your fiber cement cost expenditures. Fiber Cement Cost Reduction Cleaning helps you maintain your siding's caulking, and can make you aware of nails that have worked their way loose, allowing you to find otherwise overlooked damage. Discovering the need for minor repairs now is far cheaper than waiting for major problems to develop. Cleaning Fiber Cement Siding There are several things you can do to clean your siding, and all of them are relatively easy and inexpensive: Power wash the siding with a recommended cleaning agent and rinse it clean. Scrub trouble spots with a hard bristle brush. Use a rag and dishwashing soap to remove stains. Inspect and scrub crevices and corners. Clean at least once a year to prevent serious stains. **End Summary** Topics: house siding]]> siding costs]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in siding cost and installing siding .

Easy DIY Repairs to Lower Your Siding Cost

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:51:24 -0500

Vinyl siding is low maintenance and durable, so many siding repairs are due to improper initial installations or homeowner accidents. If your home needs a vinyl siding repair, and you have access to a few common tools, you can often fix the siding yourself. By doing so, you can avoid the additional siding costs of a professional repair crew. DIY Vinyl Siding Repairs and Avoiding the Siding Cost of a Professional Crew You can't perform all siding repairs, but many are simple. If you have a hammer and screwdriver, you might be surprised at what you can accomplish. Vinyl siding is attached to your home with snug-fitting nails with the piece of siding above locked over the nailing channel to hold the pieces together. A couple of common repairs you can perform with your handy tools include: Loose siding: Use your screwdriver to unlock the siding above the loose piece and re-nail the problem piece taking care to hit framing. Then, snap the higher piece back into place. Buckled siding: This is normally caused by siding nailed too tightly. Unlock the buckled siding, and loosen all the nails slightly. **End Summary** Topics: siding costs]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding , from identifying accurate siding costs to repair and installation.

Vinyl Siding Prices: Give Your Home Southern Charm on Any Budget

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:50:34 -0500

Want to give your home's exterior the appearance of casual elegance and a style that evokes the charm of southern estates? If you're planning on updating your home's exterior siding, give some thought to choosing one of the beaded sidings offered by vinyl siding manufacturers. Beaded vinyl siding can provide the same low maintenance and durable qualities that have made vinyl siding so popular with homeowners for the past 30 years, and may completely transform your home's look. Mid-range Vinyl Siding Prices Make Beaded Siding an Affordable Option Beaded vinyl siding provides a different profile than other vinyl siding styles; each indicated board is about 6.25 inches instead of the more common 4- or 5-inch width of other styles. It has a flat front elevation rather than the beveled or Dutchlap clapboard style; the bead that gives the siding its name and unique shadow line runs along the bottom of each piece of siding. **End Summary** Topics: beaded vinyl siding]]> vinyl siding prices]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in selecting Beaded vinyl siding and giving accurate vinyl siding prices .

Tips for Buying Siding for your DIY Project

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:50:01 -0500

It's not too early to begin planning next spring's DIY siding project, and you may be wondering about your options for purchasing house siding; can you find your best deal at a siding distributor or should you buy your siding from a contractor? If you're an experienced DIYer and have installed a lot of siding, then you may find your best prices at a distributor, but if this is your first foray into the siding world, purchasing from a contractor could give you a better overall experience. Should You Purchase Siding from a Distributor or a Contractor? Most siding distributors are used to dealing with customers who install siding on a daily basis and have a list of materials they need when they walk through the door. The salespeople can be very helpful, but in many cases they've never installed vinyl siding themselves even though they're familiar with the various products. If you have a list of the siding and accessories needed to do your home, then you'll probably get your best price from a distributor. If you aren't quite sure what you need, then a contractor can give you a little more personalized service than a distributor. **End Summary** Topics: house siding]]> siding installation]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in house siding , from brick siding repair to vinyl siding installation .

How to Compare Siding Models and Options

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:49:25 -0500

If home improvement is a hobby and not a profession for you, you might find it difficult to differentiate between various siding models and lines. Read siding product descriptions online or in handouts and they all sound like great products. But if you take a look at the individual components of each siding line, you'll see that some differences emerge. A Word about Siding Quality House siding typically ranges from .035 to .055 inches in thickness. Most premium brands measure between .040 to .048 inches in thickness. Some siding brands have a layer of insulation. Keep in mind that thinner siding may sag, crack when hit or tear loose in high winds. Quality, thickness and insulation should be carefully considered before settling on the lowest price. The Vinyl Siding Institute lists these typical costs to help you to compare siding lines: Do-it-yourself panels from a building supply store can cost less than $1 per square foot. Professionally installed vinyl siding ranges from to $2 to $7 or more. For an 1,800-square-foot exterior, expect to pay between $3,600 to $12,600 for professionally installed siding. The addition of trim, crown moldings, corner boards and soffits affect the over-all price. **End Summary** Topics: house siding]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in house siding , from how to install fiber cement siding to repairing vinyl siding .

Three Common DIY Siding Mistakes to Avoid

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:48:48 -0500

Everybody likes to save money these days and installing your own vinyl siding is a great way to give your wallet a break, but make sure your DIY project doesn't end up costing you in the long run. Many siding companies have crews that spend a good portion of their time correcting problems with homeowner installed siding, and a northern Virginia siding company shared the three most common siding mistakes homeowners usually make. What NOT to Do When Installing Your Own Vinyl Siding Vinyl siding is fairly easy to install if you have DIY experience, but being careful in these three areas may save you time and money in the future. Prep work--Before any siding goes on your home make sure all windows and doors are flashed and water-sealed with rubber membrane or a similar product; water resistant house wrap should also be installed. Taking care of these issues now can prevent having to remove siding to locate leaking points in the future. Hit the framing--All vinyl siding trim and panels should be nailed into framing members; siding nailed into exterior sheathing may eventually loosen and end up flapping in the breeze with a strong wind. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> vinyl siding trim]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding , from repair to installing vinyl siding trim .

Buying Vinyl Siding: Through a Retailer or a Contractor?

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:48:10 -0500

Installing your own vinyl siding can save money over having a contractor side your home, but your budget can quickly get busted if you aren't familiar with the materials needed for the job. Even if you plan on doing your own siding installation, purchasing your materials through a siding contractor may save you time, money, and a whole lot of problems on your DIY project. Save Time and Money by Purchasing your Vinyl Siding from a Contractor Even the most seasoned DIYer seldom purchases vinyl siding, and familiarity with how and where various vinyl trims are used and how much siding you should order can determine how smoothly your project goes. Constantly running out of materials or having the wrong trims for your application can slow the job down and even cause you to redo work; before you know it hiring a siding contractor might have been less expensive. Vinyl siding retailers can be helpful, but very few of them have ever installed siding and they can't see your home from behind a counter. **End Summary** Topics: siding installation]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding , from repair to siding installation .

Vinyl Siding Products: Don't Get Overwhelmed with the Choices

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:46:16 -0500

Since coming on to the market in the early 1960s, vinyl siding has grown into a booming business. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, twice as many homeowners clad their homes with vinyl siding than with any other material, making the vinyl siding industry a $12.4 billion business. There are thirty-five different companies selling siding products in the U.S. today, producing about 2,000 different products each! As a result, there is a broad range of colors and styles available in vinyl siding. In addition to horizontal and vertical panels, you can get vinyl siding in shakes, scallops, shingles and fish scales. There is traditional lap as well as Dutch lap. Designers are using vinyl siding in many different architectural styles, from Cape Cod and Craftsman to Queen Anne and Italianate. Many historic buildings are being restored with vinyl siding designed to replicate clapboard, board and batten and other styles from American history. In fact, a fast growing product is log cabin vinyl siding, which is a testament to advances in vinyl siding realistic look. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> log cabin vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding , from how to install siding to repairing log cabin vinyl siding .

Vinyl Siding Installation: Don't Make These Common Mistakes

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:45:36 -0500

Although there are dozens of mistakes you can make during your vinyl siding installation, the most common error is not giving the siding enough room to expand and contract. Although many first-time installers will know, for instance, to leave a minimum of a quarter-inch gap behind corner posts, they may not realize that when installing vinyl siding in temperatures below 40 degrees that the gap should be increased to 3/8 of an inch. Some mistakes with vinyl siding start right after the material for the job is purchased. Experts say it's important to keep your siding stored on a flat surface, with support provided for the entire length of the carton. It's also important not to stack the cartons more than twelve boxes high, or to leave your vinyl siding anywhere the temperature might exceed 130 degrees, such as on your blacktop driveway in the summer. That kind of heat could deform your vinyl siding. Vinyl Siding Bloopers: What Not to Do Here are some other common mistakes inexperienced installers make: Installing the saw blade backwards. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding installation]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding , from repair to vinyl siding installation .

To DIY or Not to DIY: Siding Pros and Cons

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:44:51 -0500

If you're a do-it-yourselfer at heart, you might be struggling with whether or not to complete that house siding renovation project. With most key decisions, it might help to create a short list of pros and cons to help see the issue in a full light. Side It Yourself! Pros of DIY Siding Save Money. This is perhaps the primary reason to do it yourself. The biggest percentage of vinyl siding costs is installation. You can save thousands of dollars in labor costs and other incidentals by installing the siding yourself. Do It Right. True DIYers are safe in the knowledge that anything you want done right is best done yourself. Nobody knows your house like you do, so you can ensure that all of the ""i""s are dotted and the ""t""s are crossed. Make Changes. Anyone that has commissioned siding work knows that it is nearly impossible to make changes once the contract has been signed. Doing it yourself means you can change colors or styles midstream without any problems. Get a Pro! Cons of DIY Siding Save Time. The flip side to the money/time exchange; hiring a siding professional gets the project done quickly with very little fuss. **End Summary** Topics: house siding]]> vinyl siding costs]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in house siding , from how to install brick siding to knowing about accurate vinyl siding costs .

Your Old Siding: Should It Stay or Should It Go Before Installing New?

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:44:16 -0500

Installing vinyl siding can be a great way of ending the maintenance headaches of your old wood siding once and for all, but should you remove all the old siding before installing the new or can you just side over it? There are arguments that can be made for both courses of action, and your decision should be made after considering both options and your home's age and condition. Remove the Existing Siding or Nail over It? If you live in an old house that was built during the 1800s or earlier, there's a good chance it doesn't have exterior sheathing behind the wood siding and that your wall insulation leaves something to be desired. Removing the wood siding can be a good opportunity to install wall insulation and even new exterior sheathing before the vinyl siding goes on. Wood siding that's actively rotting and the source isn't readily evident should also be removed or you'll just be covering up the problem with new siding and possibly inviting mold and mildew. There are several compelling reasons for leaving the wood siding on such as: Cost--Even if you remove the siding yourself, you may have to pay dump fees. **End Summary** Topics: installing vinyl siding]]> vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding , from repairing to installing vinyl siding .

Siding DIY: The Right Moisture Barrier for Your Siding Project

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:43:08 -0500

Choosing the right house siding moisture barrier begins with knowing a little bit about your local environment and your home. In other words, verse yourself on your annual climate as well as the energy saving potential of your particular house model. Then check out the various siding wrap options available. Here are two of the more popular. Wrap Weather Barrier for Plank Siding Plank siding is a homeowner favorite, so it only seems natural that they would select the moisture barrier made for plank siding. The biggest benefit is that it offers both water resistance and breathability, allowing interior moisture to escape so that the wall stays dry. Other qualities that you may find attractive: Comes with a 10-Year transferable limited product warranty Made of high-performance, non-perforated, non-woven polyolefin with a unique coating Tested against water holdout, air penetration resistance and tear resistance Tyvek Selective Barrier This is the most recent addition to the siding moisture barrier market. This synthetic material is made of polyethylene fibers and then flashspun to achieve a high-density. **End Summary** Topics: house siding]]> insulated vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in house siding , from how to install siding to repairing insulated vinyl siding .

Which Moisture Barrier's Right for Your Vinyl Siding Project?

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:42:05 -0500

Although it will provide some supplemental protection to your house from rain and snow, vinyl siding is not designed to be a watertight barrier to the weather. Vinyl siding is instead designed to be an exterior shell that allows the materials underneath to breathe. For that reason, it's particularly important to choose a house wrap that will protect your home from the elements and keep wind and water from sneaking inside, where it can cause discomfort and damage. Why a Moisture Barrier under Vinyl Siding? According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, a proper weather resistant barrier beneath your vinyl siding sheds moisture and diverts water away from your home. The barrier system includes your vinyl siding, flashing at key wall openings, the weather-resistant wrapping, and sheathing--which is the wood sheets encasing your home. What that barrier must have is typically determined by your local building codes. How to Wrap a House for Vinyl Siding House wraps come in large rolls that are unfurled over the exterior sheathing of a home and then stapled to the wood before vinyl siding installation. **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> vinyl siding installation]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding , from brick siding repair to vinyl siding installation .

Should you remove the old siding or just cover it up?

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:39:04 -0500

Although vinyl siding needs to be installed over a flat, even surface, this doesn't always mean you have to remove the existing siding on your house. For most homes, fan-fold foam insulation can be installed directly over the existing siding to give you the flat, even surface you need for the vinyl siding to look good. The fan-fold foam used to cover existing siding comes in ¼ to 3/8-inch thicknesses, and in addition to creating a flat, even surface, it also has a small degree of insulation and air infiltration protection. Installing Vinyl Siding over Existing Siding: What You Should Know Here are some important factors to consider before siding over what's already there: What is the condition of the existing siding? If it's wood, and the boards are popping out in places, you'll have to go around and hammer down any protrusions. Is the wood rotting? You should never put vinyl siding over rotting wood, so if you have decay in places, you'll have to replace the wood siding there. How old is the building? **End Summary** Topics: vinyl siding]]> installing vinyl siding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ryan Stinson is a freelance writer with general home improvement knowledge, and expertise in vinyl siding , from repairing siding to installing vinyl siding .