The Siding Blog

So you’ve got vinyl siding and you’d like to attach something to it without causing some potentially big issues.

…well here’s what the experts do…

Rule #1) Allow For Movement!

I can’t stress this enough, you must allow vinyl siding to move BECAUSE it typically expands and contracts 1/4″ (one quarter inch) per 12′ (twelve feet).  If you don’t allow vinyl siding to move it will most likely buckle and warp under the pressure.
So MAKE SURE the vinyl siding can slide back and forth at least 1/4″ in all areas. (continue reading…)

Google Trends for Vinyl Siding - ©2008 Google

Now make no mistake, Vinyl Siding is still #1 as far as siding materials goes and vinyl siding is still the #1 most requested siding estimate request in the nation.  We believe the graph above (courtesy of Google Trends’s search for vinyl siding) illustrates the general economic downturn since you will see a similar graph for all siding search terms.

But Wait…

What’s this?  In comparing 2009 & 2010 (so far) with the previous years we can see a stabilizing and possibly indicators of a potential comeback.  At any rate the steady decline in searches for Vinyl Siding appear to have leveled off considerably.

Conversely, the Contractors With Integrity Network (CWIN for short) reports that they have only seen increases in vinyl siding estimate requests over the past several years.  However they are the first to admit that this could be due to their steady increase in popularity and search engine rankings – resulting in an offsetting of the universally felt economic downturn.

Maybe… just maybe… things are starting to turn around. We will keep our eyes peeled and let you know when we can say for sure.

Contractors With Integrity network’s March 2010 Siding and Window Estimate LOGS for New Jersey state.

A siding estimates report was released to us today for New Jersey siding and window estimates for March 2010. It clearly shows that vinyl siding estimates are once again #1 for the area. This report shows homeowners that requested Siding and Window Estimates for New Jersey from the Contractors With Integrity Network™ (Cwin™).

ref.: Contractors With Integrity

============================================================================
C-Win(tm) LEADS REPORT:
============================================================================
FORMAT:
City State Zip – Date & Time
Estimates Requested

============================================================================

[ ] Allentown NJ 08501 – Wed, Mar 31 ’10 06:25
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install, Soffits (General) – Full Install, Vinyl Windows – Multiple Windows Install
—————————————————————————-

[ ] Red Bank NJ 07701 – Wed, Mar 31 ’10 01:53
Vinyl Shake Siding – Materials Only
—————————————————————————-

[ ] Lodi NJ 07644 – Tue, Mar 30 ’10 18:51
Vinyl Shake Siding – Full Install
—————————————————————————-

[ ] West Orange NJ 07052 – Tue, Mar 30 ’10 17:22
Vinyl Windows – Multiple Windows Install
—————————————————————————-

[ ] Vauxhall NJ 07088 – Tue, Mar 30 ’10 08:30
Siding (General) – Full Install
—————————————————————————- (continue reading…)

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.
(continue reading…)

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):
(continue reading…)

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.

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

============================================================================

C-Win(tm) ESTIMATE REQUEST REPORT for New Jersey:
Stats: 255 logs ( 155 potential leads, 64 duplicates, 36 leads )
============================================================================
FORMAT:
City State Zip – Date & Time
Estimates Requested
—————————————————————————-

[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.”
—————————————————————————-

[ ] 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
—————————————————————————-

[ ] Midland Park NJ 07432 – Fri, Apr 24 ’09 13:34
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install
—————————————————————————-

[ ] Lyndhurst NJ 07071 – Fri, Apr 24 ’09 12:01
Fiber Cement Lap Siding – Full Install
—————————————————————————-

[ ] Toms River NJ 08753 – Fri, Apr 24 ’09 07:58
Vinyl Lap Siding – Full Install
—————————————————————————-

[ ] Closter NJ 07624 – Thu, Apr 23 ’09 17:36
Siding (General) – Full Install
—————————————————————————-

[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.”
—————————————————————————- (continue reading…)

Want the REAL Details on a Vinyl Siding Job well check out the Two Story Face Lift – Vinyl Siding Details

Project Scope: There was a real rot issue that we dealt with by removing the bad portions (including all LP horizontal lap siding), re-sheeting, treating and sealing with Vulkem caulking. Then we installed Tyvek underlayment and sealed around the windows and doors with Tyvek tape. Thus, creating a very effective weather membrane under the soon to be installed new siding. Next was the installations of the siding, which was all performed flawlessly as usual. Then we pressure washed the gutters, eves and overhangs – painted the shutters to match the trim and reinstalled them – and did a final finish cleaning of the siding and jobsite.

The most detailed look at a Two Story Siding Job. Including price, square footage, pictures and details. (continue reading…)

Good Video!

Although we don’t endorse the ice rock throwing statement, there is a lot of good information.

We’ve been getting numerous emails about this type of event occurring for several years now so we know this is not a farce.