Learn all you need to know when replacing your home’s siding.
If your home’s exterior is looking tired and dated, you may be contemplating new siding. But, how do you know what materials and brands are the best for your house? Which style will work best for your local climate?
This guide will help you decide if you need new siding, what kind to choose, and how to select the best siding contractor. Ready to learn more? Read on!
What are the Signs of Damaged Siding?
Even the highest quality, most durable siding does not last forever. When it comes to damaged siding, there are some easy-to-spot tell-tale signs. Unfortunately, there are also some less obvious symptoms that only an expert can identify. Here is what to look for:
- Rotting boards – Warped and rotting boards mean water is seeping under the planks.
- Water spots on your home’s walls or ceiling – Discoloration or water spots in your interior can indicate a leak.
- Sagging or cracking – This allows water to get behind your siding, hastening its decay.
- Storm damage – Hail can leave dents or holes in your siding.
- Peeling paint inside your home – This could mean your siding has moisture damage.
- Mold or mildew – Moisture may be trapped underneath.
- High energy bills – Failing siding does not properly insulate your house.
Deteriorated siding looks terrible, but the structural problems it can cause are even worse. Here is why you need to address damaged siding as soon as possible:
- When fungus grows and thrives, it can destroy your home’s structural integrity.
- If the siding is bent, there may be small cracks between the panels that allow pests and water to infiltrate, causing rot and infestation.
- You will waste money doing constant damage control.
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What Are Some Common Types of Siding?
There are many types of siding, each with unique attributes. Here is a breakdown of the most common kinds.
James Hardie Siding
Low maintenance James Hardie is the most well-known and highest-regarded fiber cement siding brand. Advantages include:
- Extremely durable – The blend of Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers makes fiber cement siding exceptionally strong and durable.
- Available in various colors and designs – Comes in a range of styles, from traditional horizontal lap siding to contemporary vertical siding.
- Exceptionally weather-resistant – Designed to withstand hurricanes, snowstorms, hail, and other weather conditions.
- Pest resistant – Keeps unwanted guests out.
- Noncombustible – Does not ignite when exposed to flame and will not contribute fuel to a fire.
- Fade-resistant – Proprietary ColorPlus technology is baked in the factory and is resistant to fading and UV rays.
EDCO Steel Siding
EDCO steel siding is manufactured right here in Minnesota! Its many advantages include:
- Long-lasting – Can last over 50 years.
- Curb appeal – Timeless beauty.
- Eco-friendly – Recyclable with a lower environmental and climate impact than other materials.
- Fade-resistant and weather-resistant – 30- to 40-year fade protection with PVDF paint finish.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to install so you can save money on labor. It is also:
- Versatile – Can be engineered to look like slate, wood, or stone.
- Stands up to Minnesota’s harsh climate – Resistant to high winds, extreme temperatures, and moisture.
- Low-maintenance – Only needs to be washed once a year to look fresh.
- Does not need painting – The color is baked into vinyl siding, so it does not require repainting.
LP SmartSide
LP SmartSide engineered wood siding is:
- Strong – SmartGuard process ensures it withstands the impact of damage, humidity, harsh weather, fungal decay, and termites.
- Durable – Comes with an industry-leading 50-year limited warranty.
- Easy installation – Can be installed quickly and leaves less waste.
- Curb appeal – An array of styles and colors create a stylish exterior.
- Fewer seams – Fewer seams mean less moisture gets underneath.
Versetta Stone
Low-maintenance Versetta Stone brand stone veneer siding is made of cement, water, natural aggregates, and mineral oxide pigment. Benefits include:
- Luxurious appearance – As beautiful and elegant as real stone, but much more affordable.
- Durable – 50-year limited warranty.
- Low maintenance – Requires no painting or sealing
- Eco-friendly – Made of 50% recycled materials
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Lower Your Energy Bill with New Siding
Minnesota’s freezing winters mean high energy bills. It is difficult for any house’s heating system to keep up with the sub-zero temperatures. An excellent way to reduce your energy bill is by replacing your home’s siding with a material that has a higher R-value. The R-value is the ability of a material to reduce heat flow.
More energy-efficient siding provides better insulation, directly affecting your energy bill – and your budget!
The most energy-efficient sidings include EDCO steel, Versetta Stone, LP SmartSide, and James Hardie fiber cement.
EDCO Steel Siding:
- Entex finish and Cool Chemistry technology keep it cooler than lower reflectance materials on sunny days.
- Higher thermal emittance allows it to radiate the heat it absorbs.
Versetta Stone:
- Excellent insulation.
- Keeps hot air out in the summer and keeps your house toasty and warm in the winter.
Vinyl:
- Insulated vinyl has a high R-value to help reflect the sun’s rays.
- Extra insulation is form-fitted to the vinyl’s profile.
James Hardie Fiber Cement:
- The HardieZone System is customized for specific climates, so it is better able to withstand Minnesota’s extreme temperatures.
- Proprietary ColorPlus technology reflects UV rays.
LP SmartSide:
- High R-value.
- Strong and weather-resistant.
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A Rainbow of Hues and a Plethora of Styles to Complement Any Home
Gray or Greige? Beige or Taupe? Red or scarlet?
Board and batten or shingles? Vertical or horizontal planks?
A home exterior refresh allows you to create a look that truly reflects your style! But it can be difficult to choose. Take a cue from your neighborhood and your home’s style. For example, coastal tones enhance Cape Cod-style houses.
A knowledgeable contractor is your best resource. Also, do preliminary research to learn what is available. Here are some of today’s most popular home exterior color and siding trends.
- Use hues from the same family next to each other on the color wheel for a sleek look.
- High contrast black and white, such as James Hardie’s Black Ash and Arctic White, creates drama and eye-catching curb appeal. This combination complements the modern farmhouse aesthetic and other styles.
- Bright warm shades are a beautiful accent for rural locations or traditional homes.
- Soothing cool colors, such as James Hardie Boothbay Blue and Platform Beige, never go out of style and look great on any home.
- Natural shades allow your home to blend seamlessly with its surrounding environment.
- Light and airy colors, such as white and light gray, are an excellent choice for Tudor-style or cottage homes.
- Timeless neutrals bring classic elegance to any house.
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Increase Your Home’s Value With New Siding
A full siding replacement can be an expensive proposition. If you decide to take on this project, you want a high return on investment (ROI), whether you plan to sell your house soon or hang on to it for decades. A high ROI means the investment’s net return is the same as (or higher than) the total cost of the investment.
According to the Family Handyman, a homeowner can recover as much as 76 percent of the upfront cost when they install fiber cement siding on their home’s exterior. Vinyl siding also has a high ROI.
The cost of a total siding replacement depends on several factors, including:
- Condition of your home
- Square footage
- Type of siding
- Your home’s location
- Complexity of the installation process
- Siding style and width and length of the planks
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How to Choose the Right Siding Contractor
Once you have decided to take the plunge with new siding, you must find the right company to install it. Their installation expertise can make or break the renovation. Furthermore, a sound siding installation can ensure your warranty is maintained.
Referrals from friends, neighbors, or family members are a great place to start. Have a list of questions ready before you meet with any prospective contractor. Here is what you should ask before signing a contract:
- What type of insurance do you have, and can I see proof?
- Are you licensed with the state?
- When can you start?
- How long will the project last?
- Is there a type of siding you have the most experience installing?
- How can I contact you if I have questions before, after, or during the process?
- Can you provide references?
- Do you have a visualizer tool that lets me see what a new siding will look like on my house?
- How should I maintain my new siding?
- Where can I see some of your recent projects?
- Do you provide a workmanship warranty?
- Do you use subcontractors?
- How do you resolve complaints?
- Will you remove any waste left behind when the job is complete?
- What is the deposit, and when is the rest of the payment expected?
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Keep Your New Siding Looking Its Best
Once your new siding is on your home, you want to ensure it stays looking its best. The better you take care of it, the longer you can expect it to last. Different siding materials have different maintenance requirements. Whether you have fiber cement or any other type of siding, keep your gutter clear, and your siding free of dirt and other debris. Also, inspect it twice a year and after any significant storms.
Here are some more tips:
- Use a garden hose rather than a pressure washer which could damage it and void your warranty.
- Use a soft, non-abrasive brush to remove stains.
- Use a gentle cleaner.
- Clean mildew with a solution of three parts water to one-part white vinegar to remove light mold and mildew stains.
- Remove dirt with a soft cloth and gentle cleaner.
- Touchup paint as necessary.
Wood:
- Scrape and repaint every few years.
- Power wash at a low psi.
- Avoid excessive moisture, such as sprinklers.
- Wash once a year with a mild detergent.
- Power wash to remove surface debris.
- Use a mild soap for stains.
- Use a garden hose.
- Use a soft brush or cloth.
- Start at the bottom and work up to the top.
- Do not use organic solvents.
- Do not power wash.
- Use a gentle soap.
- Do not use salt or de-icing chemicals nearby.
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The Home Exterior of Your Dreams
At Beissel Window & Siding, we have over 70 successful years of updating and remodeling homes in the Twin Cities area. Our team has extensive experience installing many siding materials and brands, so you can be confident in our workmanship. In addition, we involve our clients in every step of the design process so that the finished project reflects their style and complements their home.
As a family-owned company, we get to know our customers and will never see you as a number. Instead, we take the time to help you get what you need and treat your home as though it is our own. Learn more about our siding options!
Recent Siding Articles:
- What to Expect During a Home Siding Replacement
- Questions To Ask Before You Hire a Siding Contractor
- How to Keep Your Versetta Stone Siding Looking Great
- How to Maintain Your Vinyl Siding
- How New Siding Makes Your Home More Energy Efficient
- Comparing LP SmartSide vs. Wood Siding
- Should You Replace Your Siding Before You Sell Your Home?
- Top Energy-Efficient Siding Options for Your Home
- 9 Key Signs of Siding Damage
- How You Should (and Shouldn’t) Clean James Hardie Siding
