The Siding Blog

Picking your vinyl siding colors is a really important decision because Will I like these colors in 10, 20, 30+ years?  If you need help, be sure to read our Top 5 Vinyl Siding Color Tips to help you in your color selecting process.

Fast Forward: So now you’ve found your perfect colors for your new vinyl siding… but did you know:

1) Pick Your Colors OUTDOORS & in different Lighting Conditions!

Why? Because your new vinyl siding will be located outdoors (for starters).  You see lighting conditions between indoors and outdoors are almost always different.  Also, there are several vinyl siding colors that look very different on an overcast day opposed to a sunny day.  So take your time and check your colors in several different lighting conditions… you’ll be glad you did and you won’t ever say… geez I didn’t realize this color looks kinda pink (unless that is what you are looking for.)

2) Check the FADE WARRANTY of the Vinyl Siding you are considering.

Ask your siding contractor or salesperson WHAT the Fade Warranty is for the prospective vinyl siding products and ask to see it in writing (not just verbally).  It should be guaranteed against a color change over a period of time and rated in “Hunter Units”.  What’s a “Normal” fade warranty in hunter units?  Typically, good vinyl siding warranty is rated to not fade more than Four (4) Hunter Units and excellent warranty is rated to not fade more than Three (3) Hunter Units.  Note: a One (1) Hunter Unit color difference is barely noticeable.

Vinyl Shake Siding

We added a new “Vinyl Shake Siding” page to siding4u.com today…

It answers the question “What is vinyl shake siding” plus gives the top 5 vinyl shake siding tips.

View Siding4u’s new Vinyl Shake Siding page or read our Top Vinyl Shake Siding Tips below.
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The 2008 Census Bureau published that vinyl siding has held steady at 32% of the overall market share in both 2008 and 2007.

Here’s the Siding Market Share breakdown:
32% – Vinyl Siding
25% – Brick
23% – Stucco
12% – Fiber Cement
06% – Wood
02% – Other

To learn more about Vinyl Siding check out our Certainteed Vinyl Siding products pages and our Royal Vinyl Siding products pages.  These two vinyl siding products are two of the top vinyl siding manufacturers today.

Read the full report from the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI):
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Siding4u has another new article and this one is titled cleaning vinyl siding.

Get answers to questions like:

Why does my vinyl siding need to be cleaned?

So how do you clean vinyl siding?

What if my vinyl siding has mold or mildew?

Can I use a pressure washer to for cleaning my vinyl siding?

How do I clean stains off of my vinyl siding?

Go check it out and learn How to Clean Vinyl Siding today.

Today the Contractors With Integrity Network released a list of the most popular House Siding Estimate Requests ordered from the most popular to least popular.  This list was comprised from actual estimate requests and reveals all sorts of useful information for both homeowners and siding professionals alike.  This is the most detailed look at what house siding estimates homeowners actually make.  Enjoy.

1. Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install
2. Siding (General) – Full Install
3. Soffits (General) – Full Install
4. Fiber Cement Lap Siding – Full Install
5. Vinyl Lap Siding – Materials Only
6. Vinyl Shake Siding – Full Install
7. Siding (General) – Materials Only
8. Vinyl Shake Siding – Materials Only
9. Fiber Cement Lap Siding – Materials Only
10. Cedar Lap Siding – Full Install

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Vinyl Siding #1

Vinyl siding is still #1 over all other siding materials including fiber cement, cedar, stucco, wood, metal and composite siding .  We know this from analyzing our siding estimate requests at our Contractors With Integrity Network over the past several years.

So why are more homeowners choosing vinyl siding over both fiber cement siding, cedar siding and all other siding material types?

Answer:

Vinyl siding is one of the most cost effective siding option on the market today. Vinyl is also a low maintenance siding and only needs to be washed off once a year in most situations.  Vinyl siding comes in countless color combinations and many different styles and trim options.

To get an estimate visit our vinyl siding estimate page to see if vinyl siding is right for you.

1. Vinyl Siding is Expensive.

   1. Anything can be expensive if you are gullible enough to pay way too much for it.
      We’ve been blazing the trail to ensure that YOU don’t pay too much for vinyl siding.
      See our Vinyl Siding Cost Calculator.

2. If you get vinyl siding, you’ll never have to paint again.

   1. You won’t have to paint your vinyl siding BUT you will have to paint your Eves and Overhangs (soffits) UNLESS you choose to get those covered also.
      See our Soffit Estimates request form at our Contractors With Integrity Network.

3. We’re running a special on vinyl siding and if you sign tonight you’ll get an incredible 50% off.

   1. This is simply just a pressure tactic.  Some siding salesmen use it because … well … it works.  But don’t fall for it.

4. With our vinyl siding your heating bill will go down 50%.

   1. For the average homeowner this just isn’t true … unless you have gaping holes in your walls.
      You will most likely see energy savings but most likely not anything like 50%.
      Why?  Because the temperature outside wants the temperature inside of your home to be the same (temperature equalization).  And it will take the path of least resistance which includes your windows, doors and roof.  The insulation properties of your roof, windows & doors would need to be outstanding and your siding would need to be outrageously bad to pull off a 50% heating bill reduction.  I’m not saying it’s impossible but it’s very unlikely.

5. Anything with “Exclusive” described about a vinyl siding product.

   1. Exclusive Vinyl Siding products are typically just a way for some companies to raise prices, sell you on their exaggerated product benefits and make it so YOU CAN’T PRICE SHOP.  I’ve NEVER seen the best vinyl siding products as exclusives.  I’ve seen good vinyl siding products as exclusives but never the best and  I’ve seen entire product lines ‘renamed’ and sold as exclusives.  At any rate, exclusives are usually by region and on specific product lines.  Example: a foam backed 16′ panel might be an exclusive whereas the 12′ version is not.  Example’s Conclusion: you pay twice the price for the 16′ version for a few less laps on your house … that’s hardly worth it, IMPO.
      RULE OF THUMB: Always Shop Around!  Always Get Comparison Estimates!  Whether you get estimates from us or anybody else.

You’ve been educated … now it’s up to you …

A siding estimates report was released to us today for New Jersey state. It clearly shows that vinyl siding estimates are once again #1 for the area.
This report shows homeowners that requested Vinyl Siding Estimates for New Jersey from the Contractors With Integrity Network™ (Cwin™).

ref.: Contractors With Integrity

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C-Win(tm) ESTIMATE REQUEST REPORT for New Jersey:
Stats: 255 logs ( 155 potential leads, 64 duplicates, 36 leads )
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FORMAT:
City State Zip – Date & Time
Estimates Requested
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[X] = Completely Submitted Lead – these are typically available to C-Win Contractors
[ ] = “Potential Lead” – a lead that may show up later
============================================================================

[X] Midland Park NJ 07432 – Sat, Apr 25 ‘09 10:08
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install, Vinyl Windows – Multiple Windows Install
Project Details: “We would like to replace the windows and get the siding at the same time. Our lot is 53X172. The front of our house is stone. We will need about 16 windows replaced.”
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[ ] Midland Park NJ 07432 – Sat, Apr 25 ‘09 10:06
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install, Vinyl Windows – Multiple Windows Install
—————————————————————————-

[ ] Newton NJ 07860 – Fri, Apr 24 ‘09 16:22
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install
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[ ] Midland Park NJ 07432 – Fri, Apr 24 ‘09 13:34
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install
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[ ] Lyndhurst NJ 07071 – Fri, Apr 24 ‘09 12:01
Fiber Cement Lap Siding – Full Install
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[ ] Toms River NJ 08753 – Fri, Apr 24 ‘09 07:58
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install
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[ ] Closter NJ 07624 – Thu, Apr 23 ‘09 17:36
Siding (General) – Full Install
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[X] Long Branch NJ 07740 – Thu, Apr 23 ‘09 10:26
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install, Vinyl Shake Siding – Full Install, Fiber Cement Lap Siding – Full Install, Fiber Cement Shake Siding – Full Install, Soffits (General) – Full Install
Project Details: “Renovation project to include an addition and replacement of current siding. Current siding is fiber cement – assumed to be asbestos (installed mid-late 1960s) – over exterior-grade “fireproof” drywall(?)-type sheathing on house sides and back, wood on front and one area of vinyl. Approximately 350 SF wood and 1000 SF asbestos and 350 SF vinyl existing siding. Total new siding with addition = 1500-2000 SF (numbers are approximate and represent total wall areas, including window and door areas). Soffit = 200 SF. Cape cod style home with 1.5 floors.”
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Vinyl Siding & Vinyl Replacement Windows have one of the best Cost vs. Value ratios (ROI) in this economy.

In a report by G.M. Filisko it is reported that “Remodeling magazine’s annual report shows that maintenance-related projects and moderately priced upgrades are providing stable paybacks, even in a slower market.” this is great news for siding market.

G.M. Filisko goes on to say, “Despite home price drops in many cities, remodeling projects are holding their own as a way for owners to add value.

Many people are wondering where their money will be safest during these uncertain economic times. When home owners turn to you for your expert advice, counsel them that some things never change: Investing in their home still pays off.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® statistics show that home prices have fallen by an average of 7 percent nationally in the past year. But the value of home owners’ investment in remodeling projects has declined only 3.86 percent on average between 2007 and 2008, according to Remodeling’s 2008–2009 Cost vs. Value Report.

Remodeling produces the Cost vs. Value Report each year in cooperation with REALTOR® magazine. REALTORS® responding to a survey in midsummer said home owners could expect to recoup a national average of 67.3 percent of their investment in 30 different home improvement projects. At the height of the housing boom in 2005, home owners could expect to recoup a national average of 86.7 percent on projects.

Remodeling remains hot in 10 cities, where, on at least some projects, home owners can recover 100 percent of their costs. In Charlotte, N.C., for example, decks, midrange kitchen remodels, vinyl siding, and window-replacement projects all would net more than they cost, in respondents’ estimation. High rates of recovery were seen in both strong real estate markets and weak ones.
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Siding Forum Ahead

We just launched a new Siding Forum here at Siding4u.com.  It will be used as a Q & A resource for the homeowners and contractors who visit our website.

YOU can easily register and post questions and get answers.

Another great siding resource from Siding4u.com.  We strongly encourage everyone to use this new forum to post questions, get answers, discuss siding and window related topics and get involved with the siding community as a whole.

The starting topics are: (continue reading…)