Q & A: Siding – Answers to Common Questions about Siding

Choosing the right material for your home involves many decisions. Therefore, we have gathered the most common questions to help you understand your options.

Preparation and Maintenance of Your Siding

Do I need to paint my house before the siding installation? No. If we install vinyl siding, we go over your existing exterior. Consequently, you will never have to paint again. If we install James Hardie® siding, we detach your old siding first. Then, we replace it with James Hardie® products. These materials come with a 15-year ColorPlus warranty.

Soffits and Eaves – How will I maintain them in the future? Modern building products almost all come with 25-year warranties. As a result, these products make your home exterior virtually maintenance-free.

Will I ever have to do anything to my new siding? Every 6-12 months, you should wash your siding with a garden hose. A low-pressure water spray protects your home exterior perfectly. However, avoid using a power washer because it could damage the surface. Instead, use a soft, non-metal cleaning brush.

Design, Durability, and Performance

What about colour options? Our customers often feel there are too many colours to choose from. In fact, our sales team carries many samples. We will help you choose the right colours for your home.

Will the siding crack, fade, buckle, or sag? Siding technology has drastically improved recently. Specifically, manufacturers have enhanced the product chemistry and installation techniques. Therefore, these past issues no longer plague siding performance.

What about rot in fiber cement? Fiber cement siding is not susceptible to rot. Put simply, no. Manufacturers make this siding from four simple ingredients: cement, wood pulp, water, and filler. None of these materials suffer from rot.

What if my siding gets damaged? Repairing a damaged panel is simple. You can fill dents, chips, or cracks with a patching compound. Specifically, a cementitious compound works best for siding and trim products.

Efficiency and Material Benefits

Is my new siding energy efficient? New insulated siding can add another R2 to R4 to your home. Standard vinyl siding has an R-value of 0.61. In contrast, Hardie siding has an R-value of 0.37. While vinyl is more efficient, neither makes a huge difference in total energy savings. You can find more details on Calgary’s energy standards through local guidelines.

Should I consider vinyl for my home? Vinyl siding stands up well against extreme heat, cold, and moisture. In fact, it can even protect your home from strong winds. Additionally, it helps prevent the foundation’s structure from falling apart over time.

What are my design options? Design options are endless today. You can choose new colours, patterns, and wood-appearance products. Moreover, you do not need to be an architect to know when a design feels right.

Schedule a consultation with our team to learn more. We will give you a lasting and beautiful exterior that you can trust.

Q & A: Siding – Answers to Common Questions about Siding