Vinyl Siding

[PlutoPony]

Most homes in our area built in the mid 90's had aluminum or vinyl siding, and a very few have brick fronts. These are not custom homes, but large developments built by national builders like Pulte, Trafalgar, etc. We had aluminum (MUCH worse than vinyl - ugh!!!) and were fortunate to have significant hail damage to the siding and roof, so our homeowners insurance covered changing to vinyl siding. We went with a high grade vinyl w/ a lifetime warranty, installed properly, and upgraded the roof to architectural grade (many of our neighbors did the same thing). We've been happy with the vinyl as it's easy to clean and really doesn't look cheap IMHO (may be the grade used or just our taste or lack thereof !). Our area is one that's had big run-ups in price and because vinyl is common in our area it hasn't negatively affected the value of our home at all. So in our area it's an accepted and even expected material in our price range (over $500k), but suspect once you hit $8-900k it's a different story.....

 

[blanq]

Do you think hardi-plank increases the value of your home significantly?
Looks like a great product, but as others have said the cost for installation is pricey. This won't be our forever home.
I wouldn't expect a huge return on the investment. But, it seems that hardi-plank is gaining popularity quickly and buyers will soon commonly know what it is. I think the true return on vinyl siding for US would be very little if anything because current siding needs replaced. (Yes, it is like cardboard. )
We have enough $ set aside to pay for quality vinyl. We used friends' prices and put in a nice buffer. Big decision is whether or not to dip into other money or finance (maybe the company will have 0% will certain number of months???)

We replaced our wood siding with Hardie siding about two years ago. We have a historic home, and Hardie gives the look of wood which was important to us. Most new construction homes are using Hardie around here, probably because the newer homes in our area are more classic in design. Hardie is a cement fiber product that is low maintenance, requiring paint every 15 years, or so. It also is fire retardant and it looks gorgeous. We paid $16,000 to have it installed on 2000 sf home. I am not sure if any siding actually increases the value of your home; it's one of those things that all homes need. If you are not going to be in your home long term, Hardie might not be something that is cost effective for you.

I personally would never install vinyl siding as IMHO it looks cheap and it does not wear well. I would install steel siding before considering vinyl, just because it is a stronger product. But, we live in the midwest, where weather really takes it's toll on your siding. Vinyl dents incredibly easily, so will not withstand hail or even a kids baseball.

 

[mlwear]

That is what I was guessing about the Hardie-siding cost $15-$18K. I'll be interested to see what the vinyl est. on Friday is as mentioned before DH chose the most expensive around. It is more expensive because they only sell top grade, they have a special way of installing it and explained how it is different than the other companies (at this point he is listening, I am thinking --more $), it has a 50 year warranty and something about the warranty can be transferred to a new owner for a small fee (under $100) and the 50 years would begin again (I think, again I'm thinking about the $ while he is listening in the showroom). Lots of quality claims. It has an energy star rating (does most vinyl siding)--one article I read said it doesn't really add to insulating your house. But, salesman explained why they have the energy star.
I want to get several estimates, but around here there are a lot of siding companies. I don't want to get on some sort of list and have dozens of salesmen knocking on my door!
I really appreciate all the opinions. Very well rounded. Any others?

 

[deanvm]

I used to work for a Vinyl Siding company when I was in college. We used Reynolds siding and it was OK.

Last year I installed Certainnteed Monogram on my house and it was very easy to work with and a quality product.

Make sure you check the contractors work first. Even the best siding, if not installed correctly will buckle when the weather changes. The siding expands with warmer weather.

Good Luck.

 

[HopperFan]

We put up vinyl about 3 years ago over our "pressed wood" siding. I was never a fan and would not put it on the front of my house (brick with all wood trim), but it made the most long term sense for us.

YES, ours was the one of the sidings in the lawsuit, no we didn't get a cent. They refused to come look after seeing the photos. Basically they were saying we would have had to obtain a lawyer to make them come out. Those on our street that got them to come look, got an acknowledgement that yes it is the bad board, and we will replace you board for board each rotten one, no labor. Pointless. Next neighborhood a few got theirs replaced but early on in the suit. We have a brick front and could not do brick on other 3 sides because house must be built with correct footing around it to hold brick. So we decided to go with vinyl for the long term maintenance. My next door neighbor didn't even realize it was vinyl until I told her. Another neighbor hates it, just because it is vinyl....not because it looks bad to her. Like I said, I would love an all brick home, but wasn't to be. We went with next best maintenance free option.

Now most on our street are replacing with hardiplank but there are negatives to that as well...(DH BIL is in home construction business) (1) If not installed properly you will have the same problems. The problem arises from the nail guns hitting the head within the depth of the board allowing moisture in. If they do this with hardiplank, it will also get moisture inside. (2) still have to paint it and at $5000 every 4 years we thought that was more than we wanted to spend (3) according to BIL hardiplank is fine for new house built to hold it (his has it) BUT bottom line it is concrete and very heavy. Putting it on a house framed to hold wood siding can put stress on the framing and joints and down the road you can face structural problems. He feels like it is too heavy to use as replacement, especially for us with 3 stories high. Absolutely was not worth the risk to us. We plan to be here awhile.

You just have to decide what is right for you and where you live, and how long you will live there. I don't necessarily like vinyl but that was what we decided made the most sense to us. We have hail here (golf balls in January) our vinyl has never dented (that would be aluminum siding), hardiplank here wtih our climate must be painted every 4 years or so just like wood, which adds up - maybe in your area it won't, also we have a brick front and live on a circle and no one can see our vinyl siding - I think that helped make the decision as well.

While they installed it I still wasn't sure, I could see the old wood and the vinyl and I was thinking I hated it. But once it was done and we were a few months out.........it looked perfectly fine, just siding........that is maintenance free

 

[KirstenB]

Mlwear, I feel your pain. We have Masonite siding too. We're currently replacing the siding on our dormer windows with Hardiplank. Everyplace else on the house I can clean and paint, which I have done for 9 years, Egads!!!

We chose the Hardiplank because I love color, and when vinyl first came out, there were very few color choices (I'm sure that's changed over the years). Hardiplank also decently matches our current Masonite, and it's also fire-resistant, etc. On the other hand, vinyl has gotten better looking over the years. I like the beaded lap vinyl, and I love the cedar shake look vinyl.

If I were in the market to re-side the whole house, I think vinyl is a decent alternative. Especially if you're choosing a color like khaki. In the deeper colors, the vinyl seems to look more like wood.

We'll eventually convert the whole house over to Hardiplank. We've done a big garage addition, and we chose Hardiplank for it. As I mentioned, the dormers are next. Good luck with your decision. As a fellow Masonite owner, I feel you'll love your choice no matter what

 

[corie161]

I want to get several estimates, but around here there are a lot of siding companies. I don't want to get on some sort of list and have dozens of salesmen knocking on my door!
I really appreciate all the opinions. Very well rounded. Any others?

Don't be afraid to go to a local lumberyard. They can explain the different siding they have available and more than likely have lists of reputable contractors that can install it for you. More than likely these contractors are subbing jobs from them and have done several previous installs. You could ask for references and check their work.

 

[mlwear]

Thank you so much for your in-depth knowledge.
The thing with the class-action suit against Masonite is that you have to pay $100 when you file. If you have the correct brand (details are given) you get this back, if not you are out $100. A bit of a red flag.

This will be boring to most or all, but maybe someone who has gone through an installation or does installation will read and know if this sounds right and/or suggest questions.
The first company we are looking at is Champion Vinyl. The company makes it and they also install it. This is what the brochure states (I will condense)...
*Double thick .092" Cyclone System nail hem=wind resistence up to 180 mph
UV Inhibitors (Ultra Vinyl)
*Self-aligning locking system=positve connection=flexibility during installation
thickness .o46"
*low-gloss cedar texture (supposed to look more like wood)
*full 3/4" profile = shadow lines that looks more like wood and gives added *strength for straighter appearance. Low angle, square edge also looks more authentic
*Steel Starter used at the base of the house around the perimeter
pre-formed 3/4" J channel
*Undersill trim under every window and at the soffit line.
*4" Corner post
*Inside Corner post -instead of caulk or scrap pieces

The salesman claims their siding and installation is superior to the other companies around here. Anyone know if this is a good/great installation technique? I can compare but when they give these specifics but how do I know what is the best way? Any of them could feed me a complete line and I don't know the difference.

Well, if anyone could tolerate reading that post and wants to make comment, I sure would appreciate it.

Otherwise, I am just glad to read the different views on siding and ideas.

 

[TheRatPack]

What no one with asbestos shingles siding? LOL

 

[just.me]

most of the issues sound like they are due to installation not product -
check out http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/

 

[mlwear]

most of the issues sound like they are due to installation not product -
check out http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/

Thanks that's a great site.

 

[SplashMom]

I think a lot depends on your climate and the installation. We live in Canada and most of the houses in our area are wood shingled or vinyl siding. The wood shingles are very difficult to maintain in an area with such weather extremes. There is often paint blistering and that means painting yearly to look well kept. We installed vinyl siding around seven years ago and it has been fabulous. Much depends on the quality of the product and the installation. We had several quotes and agreed upon the most costly; however, we have been very satisfied. After viewing the work of many other contractors, we are happy we took the extra steps to have a superior product and excellent installation. Our siding has never warped or had any dents/buckles. It looks as if it was just installed. We clean it (with a hose)once or twice a year and it looks great and the most important thing is that there is no maintenance!

 

[Jon99]

We have that darn Masonite stuff on our house and its starting to look horrible in spots, were hoping to wait until next year to replace it with vinyl.. I have a few places were the outer layer has torn off and the inner brown is showing.. Any tips on painting this to get it thru next spring???

 

[kmccain]

DH is a contractor and I am going to tell you what he has to say:

He has investigated James Harding siding and it does not climate the need for painting but neither does vinyl. You will gain some R value if you put on vinyl siding because you should put on insulating backer board or leveler board first. James Harding siding is very difficult to install, even for a contractor.

Don't buy cheap vinyl! Usually the more expensive the vinyl the better it is. He said you are better off with the better stuff. No matter what you will have to paint it 10 years down the road.

Hope this helps!

Good Luck!

 

[PigletsPal]

.


Has anyone applied for the class action lawsuit regarding Masonite? I guess you have to have a certain brand. I got the kit a while back, but it seemed like so much work.

We had Masonite on our house and had the same rotting problems. It is nota Florida frendly product. We hopped on the class action lawsuit and they paid for Vinyl Siding to be put on our house. The sad thing is alot of our neighbors did the same but kept the $$$ then sold the house and the new owners were stuck since they couldn't sue Masonite again.

 

[Jon99]

Regarding the Masonite lawsuit, is it too late to file a claim and if not, how would I find out if that is the type of siding we have??? We bought the house in 2001, but when they put on an addition in 1981 they resided the whole house and its already rotting in spots..

 

[corie161]

DH is a contractor and I am going to tell you what he has to say:

He has investigated James Harding siding and it does not climate the need for painting but neither does vinyl. You will gain some R value if you put on vinyl siding because you should put on insulating backer board or leveler board first. James Harding siding is very difficult to install, even for a contractor.

Don't buy cheap vinyl! Usually the more expensive the vinyl the better it is. He said you are better off with the better stuff. No matter what you will have to paint it 10 years down the road.

Hope this helps!

Good Luck!

Honestly I have never heard of having to paint vinyl siding. Ours has been on close to 10 years now and definately no need to paint. .

 

[Muushka]

We also had the 'rotting masonite'. Ugh. We replaced it several years ago with Certainteed Vinyl Siding. I like that company because they had siding that looked like cedar shingles (I am a former RI resident). It is very high quality and still looks great. I looked into the Hardiplank also, but it still needs to be painted and the vinyl does not. No brainer for us. It was pretty expensive (compared to some prices I got as estimates), but it was worth it to us. Good luck!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I used to work for a vinyl siding manufacturer called Norandex/Reynolds. 95% of the problems you have with vinyl in incorrect installation. the other is a bad run from the factory and UV fading. get at least a product with a .044 thickness. most manufacturers are using a fade resistant acrylic anymore. cement siding like Hardie and Cemplank are great, but the shipping and labor costs aren't cheap, and the cost can vary depending on primer options. but they're also fireproof and insect proof.