Which House Has Vinyl Siding?

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

Can you pick the home that does not have vinyl siding, from the photos below? Only one home from the line up does not have vinyl siding – the rest do.

Your brain is checking off all the things you've heard about vinyl siding. If Danny DeVito, in the movie Tin Man pops into your head, well that was aluminum siding, not vinyl.  What you think you know about vinyl siding. It only comes in white. It looks flimsy. It's for tract houses. It's inexpensive. It doesn't look like wood.

If that’s your criteria, you’ll be hard pressed to identify the house without vinyl siding. Everything you thought you knew about vinyl siding is about to be turned on its head, except perhaps for one thing, it’s less expensive than most other siding choices and that is still true.

Multiple colors

Premium vinyl products such as Prodigy® by Alside come in twenty-one classic and contemporary colors to choose from, like Coastal Sage, Tuscan Clay or Charcoal Smoke. Oh, and it comes in white as well – Glacier White. Like a custom painted home, you can match, blend or contrast your color palate.

Solid look and feel

Interlocking impact resistant panels and 1 ½” thick insulation provide the energy efficiency you find in modern materials available for home building today. These aren’t the hollow panels of yesteryear.

Clean look of wood

Today the finely milled products can extend up to 16’ 8” lengths yielding clean lines and an elegant modern style. You can have the look of natural wood without face nailing or caulking.

Stay true to your home’s style

Unlike the plain vinyl siding of the past, you home won’t look like a tract home; rather you can stay true to your home’s style when you replace the siding. Trim and decorative accents can be used at windows, doors, outside corners, gable ends or wherever you want to create a special look. You can choose colors to perfectly complement or contrast the trim with the siding.

Going green

It’s true, today Alside even offers siding products like Charter Oak® with thermal foam and reflective technologies recognized as green products by the industry.

When you’re ready to replace your home’s siding, considervinyl as the best alternative for affordability and style in the market today.

The Benefits and Value of Replacement Siding in Chicago

The exterior of your home is very important. Everyone feels more comfortable living in a well-cared for home and getting replacement siding can help maximize your home’s exterior appeal. Old siding can become unattractive, and worst of all, it may allow the elements to slowly bring your home to complete ruin. The good news, however, is that installing or replacing aging siding can increase your home’s curb appeal, repair any hidden structural flaws, and improve your home's energy efficiency.
 

Curb appeal
 

Aged siding is often faded with a less pulsating color than it initially had. It usually has a generally dirty and unpleasant appearance which makes it nearly impossible to keep looking sparkling clean. This doesn’t always means it’s neglected by the homeowners, but it is a problem that affects almost all homes. New siding can dramatically improve the external appearance of your home. Passersby and neighbors will spend a lot of time admiring your home. New siding comes in many different styles, materials, and colors.
 

Prevent structural damage
 

Timeworn siding can frequently allow leaks around your home’s windows, possibly causing serious structural damage to your house. At times, the signs of this damage becomes easily visible, and it even may include you spotting actual water flowing along the windowsill. However, sometimes the damage is not quite so obvious, and you may only notice small cracks in the drywall. Structural damage can occur in the form of floor rot, deteriorated studs, or weakening plywood. Installing new siding will help restore the original state of your home. Replacing your old, deteriorated siding will ensure you do not spend a fortune in home repairs later on down the road.
 

Maintenance
 

Another benefit with replacement siding is that is doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Whether you choose vinyl, wood, or shake and shingles siding, you won’t need to worry about maintenance issues. What you will need to keep an eye on is wood siding as you will want to repaint or treat it to keep away termites and other wood-destroying pests. Vinyl is arguably the best siding material since it needs zero maintenance. Vinyl is energy efficient and it is very durable.
 

Energy efficiency
 

Do you care about energy efficiency? Almost every homeowner in Chicago will tell you yes. Siding can offer you a great opportunity to improve your home’s energy efficiency. New siding is often insulated and insulated siding increases the R-Value of a home; the higher the R-value, the better.

Why Install Replacement Siding on Your Chicago Home

Buying replacement siding for your home is an excellent decision, both functionally and aesthetically. Unlike a new decorating scheme or fresh paint, new siding is something that will serve you for many years. By choosing the right material and color, your siding will add significant value to your home. If you are currently thinking of reselling your house, then it is important to consider installing new siding as it will contribute in attracting buyers. Also, if you are planning to renovate your home, siding can make your home appear more beautiful and welcoming. Here is some advice on what to consider when shopping for siding.
 

If you are thinking of replacing your existing siding, conduct a simple inspection to determine whether your existing siding needs replacement. Using appropriate tools, such as a screwdriver, push below the curved siding to determine how strong the layer beneath it is. Several signs may indicate damaged siding. If the paint is peeling, or the siding is sagging, it may be because the material is getting old. This may allow moisture to leak underneath it. This can ruin the interior walls of your house, so it is something you should check out as often as possible.
 

Mildew and mold formation on your siding walls can also be the cause of moisture problems. While mold and mildew presence may not always indicate signs of failing siding, they should be a cause for concern. Problems in siding may not be visible to the naked eye. You may need different tools or a professional to come and investigate the situation for you. The specialist will expose areas that need attention, if the damage is not big, you may only need to repair the siding. However, if the damage is significant, you will have no other option but to replace all of it.
 

When purchasing siding materials, be sure to pick the right colors. Bright colors such as yellow are good for attracting attention in the neighborhood. Sometimes your homeowner’s association or neighborhood may have their own regulations regarding color choices. Lighter shades often do not absorb light, hence they are appropriate for areas with hot weather. This way you’ll be able to save a significant amount of money on cooling costs during the summer. Wood siding can be repainted into any color. Vinyl siding may not allow for painting as it usually comes with a permanent color from the manufacturer, but it is extremely durable.
 

Material is another important factor to consider. There are many options to choose from. However, your choice will depend on your budget, preference, and what you want to get out of it. If you have a limited budgeted, you will probably want to go for vinyl. Again, if you don’t want to spend a lot of time and effort maintaining the siding, vinyl would be the right choice, as well.
 

Siding is usually the first thing people tend to notice more than anything else about your home. With a good selection and a qualified installation contractor, you can make sure that the siding of your home is firm, aesthetically appealing, and inviting.

Why Should You Choose Vinyl Siding for Your Chicago Home?

Siding can help to maintain the structural integrity of your home, as well as add significant curb appeal. With proper siding, you can protect the foundation of your home and walls against water damage. Also, with siding, pests such as termites would have a hard time getting their way through cracks in the wall in order to invade your home. Perfect siding can help to prevent these issues, and keep your home strong and inviting.
 

Why Vinyl Siding?
 

Vinyl siding is probably the most popular siding option available. Vinyl has many benefits, and that’s why more and more homeowners are considering it when thinking of getting replacement siding their homes. To begin with, vinyl siding is cheaper than other siding materials. But the cost of vinyl siding is determined by several factors, such as size of the home, manufacturer of the material, warranty, quantity, and the installer. Another factor affecting the price of vinyl siding is the cost of installation. And speaking of installation, it’s a bit easier to install vinyl siding than installing other types of siding like wood or aluminum. Vinyl is also energy efficient and can save homeowners a great deal of money on utility bills.

Durability
 

Vinyl is made of PVC or polyvinyl chloride resins and acrylic resins to improve flexibility. Vinyl siding is very durable, which means you can keep it for decades without needing to spend more money to re-side your house over again. Vinyl contains Titanium dioxide to repel UV-rays from the sun, protecting the siding against degradation and fading. Moreover, it can endure extreme weather conditions without causing any serious structural damage to your home.
 

Appearance
 

Vinyl siding comes in a variety of colors and grains to choose from. Generally, vinyl siding comes with a permanent color that won’t scratch or fade. The color stays intact for many years and won’t show any signs of imperfections. This type of siding can improve the overall appearance of your home.
 

Maintenance
 

Unlike wood and aluminum siding which call for a lot of maintenance, vinyl is almost maintenance free. Because the siding never fades, there is absolutely no need to paint it. The only small maintenance you will give your vinyl siding is a thorough wash with a pressure washer at least once a year. Vinyl siding can maintain its new look for a long period of time.
 

 

Benefits of New Siding for Your Home

The exterior of your home is really important. It is one of the first things people usually notice about your home. Aging siding not only ruins the appearance of your home, but it also allows unwelcome elements to sneak into your house and wreak havoc. However, there are several ways to enhance the look of your house's façade. Perhaps you are putting your home on the market, and want to add to its curb appeal. Or it could be you’re just fed up with coming home to a messy, run-down-looking home every day. No matter the reason of your need to improve the appearance of your property, adding new siding is one of the easiest and best ways to do so.  
 

Replacing your siding allows you to increase energy efficiency and fix any hidden structural flaws. As siding becomes old, it also fades to less attractive colors than it initially was, and starts to have a generally ugly look that is difficult to spruce up. This does not necessary mean that it lacked proper maintenance. It’s a common problem that happens to virtually all homes.
 

New siding comes in a variety of styles, textures, and colors. So, when looking forward to replacing your siding, be sure to choose the color and style that can add some architectural details to your home. It is important to give your home a more appealing look by choosing a good color. In fact, this is much easier than painting your entire house. New siding can always be installed quickly, so it doesn’t take a great deal of time and expertise to make your home inviting.
 

As said before, good siding can make your home more energy efficient. Installing new siding can improve your home’s insulation and cut down on your monthly heating and cooling bills. For example, vinyl siding is backed with polypropylene foam which offers insulating properties. This extra insulation can lower your energy bills by as much as 25%.
 

New siding also can help to prevent adverse weather elements. This is especially essential if you live in a place with hot summers or harsh winters. Strong vinyl siding is weather resistant. It does not need regular replacements. Moreover, it is practically maintenance-free, so you also do not need to spend a lot of time and money taking care of it.
 

Also, adding new siding to your existing home can dramatically boost its value. If you are thinking of putting it on the market, new siding will definitely increase its market price. With new siding, you will also be able to attract more prospective buyers.
 

Finally, if you want to take full advantage of your new siding, be sure to hire a professional siding contractor. This way you are sure to be given the best service when it comes to adding protection and aesthetic value to your home.

Different Types of Home Siding

Installing a new siding is a great way to remodel the outside of your home. It not only beautifies your home, but also protects it from rain, snow, wind and other elements. Siding is easy to install, but before that step, you need to select which type is best for your home. Since there are a wide variety of siding materials available on the market today, choosing one can be confusing and difficult. Regardless of which type you choose, always remember that it will stay there for many years to come. Therefore, be sure to do your research before purchasing one.

Vinyl Siding
 

Vinyl siding typically has strips joined together by a zip tool. There are many benefits to installing vinyl siding. It reduces upkeep and monthly maintenance costs, improves energy efficiency, and it can increase the value of your property. One of the major advantages of vinyl siding would be the wide varieties of color options and styles there are to choose from. Vinyl is completely maintenance free and does not need repainting or sealing. Also, it is more affordable than stucco, aluminum, wood, and brick.   
 

Composite Wood Siding
 

Composite wood siding is typically crafted using wood or other products that mimic wood. Different types of wood siding are available, such as plywood, horizontal lap siding, clapboard, shingles and hardwood sheet. It is available in different grains and colors that can be used to redecorate the exterior of the house. Composite wood siding is quite cheaper than siding products made of natural wood, and is long lasting, moisture proof, and weather resistant.
 

Cement Fiber
 

Cement fiber is one of the more recent innovations in the residential siding industry. It emulates wood texture, being almost identical to some wood siding materials. It comes in different styles, such as shingle and stucco panels. The cement fiber siding is recyclable and highly durable. It is quite affordable and doesn’t rot or gets damaged by pests. Thus, it requires very little maintenance.
 

Aluminum Siding
 

Aluminum siding has advanced over the years and has become a favorite choice for new homes. It is available in a wide variety of styles, grains, and colors, such as vertical and horizontal panels.
 

Bottom Line
 

Look for siding materials that fit your spending budget and suits the style of your home. Important aspects like cost, availability, durability, and maintenance should be considered first before making a final decision.