Vinyl Siding: Selections are bigger and better than ever before! Today, you can find vinyl siding (made from UV stable PVC) in a wide array of colors and profiles that will match any architectural style you can imagine. From a budgetary standpoint, there are several options at several different price points that can help you stay on target and on budget.

Whether you want to create a whole new exterior or just “update” your home’s appearance—the possibilities with vinyl are endless. Traditional clapboard and dutchlap siding can be combined with realistic looking shake and cottage style shingle to create a multidimensional look and feel to your home. Wood textures are also being incorporated into vinyl siding for a more realistic and natural wood feel—without the environmental impact. If you are looking for a “green” option, there are siding products that are made from 100 percent recycled vinyl. Let us know if you’re interested in the “green” alternative.

Vinyl siding can also be insulated with either the insulation being attached to the back of the siding, or “dropped in” behind the siding. This latter option would qualify your investment for an energy tax credit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Vinyl siding, what to look for:

• Certification from the Vinyl Siding Institute
• Quality brands with warranties like CertainTeed, Alside and Norandex have ASTM Testing that ensures durable polymers with adequate titanium dioxide for color retention
• Minimum .042 thickness with “sweet spot” thickness being .042 – .048. Too thick allows seam overlaps to be too obvious
• The style, color and insulation option that will give your home the best performance possible
• A professional and experienced installation team and BBB A+ accreditation

Fiber Cement Siding: Designed to look like wood with manufactured texture and graining, fiber cement siding is a more upscale option for home exterior improvements. Made from cement, sand and cellulose fiber, it is very durable, deters rot and pests (termites, carpenter ants) and is impact-resistant and fireproof. Cured (baked and fired) to remove moisture, fiber cement may be custom prefinished with 15- to 30-year finish specifications to any taste or color palette at no additional cost. It is also environmentally sustainable, less costly than real wood and has a lifetime warranty.

The quality is clear when you see fiber cement siding. The structure is weighty, substantial and durable. When fiber cement lap or shingle siding is installed, your home will take on a whole new vibrancy, character and stature.

Fiber cement siding is available in a many different profiles, including cedar shake- and shingle-style, half round, clapboard, dutchlap, beaded and stucco panels. Architecturally, you can design your home to incorporate any style or detail you can dream up!

Fiber cement siding, what to look for:

• Quality brands with guarantees like CertainTeed, James Hardie and Nichiha
• Installation of weather resistant barriers, flashings, flexible adhesive weather guard and vapor barrier
• Quality fasteners, hot dip galvanized or stainless steel ringshank
• Class A fire rating
• Locally available and natural materials that will have a lower environmental impact
• The style and color options that will give your home the best performance possible
• A professional and certified installation team with BBB A+ accreditation

Other things to consider:

• Coordinating trim boards, corner boards, rake moldings and other architectural detail—including shutters, bead board porch ceiling, window mantels, ledger board, frieze board, window boxes and planters
• Soffit (and ventilation schedules) that match or coordinate with the home style you create
• High functioning guttering system from matching or coordinating color palette and lasting gutter cover
• New energy-efficient, maintenance free and architecturally enhanced windows
• New entry-way system to add energy efficiency and curb appeal with quality hardware and appointments