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Considering new siding for the summer? Go for it! Summer is the best time to revamp your home exterior. First of all, the weather is warm so it is easier to get the job done without the falling snow and rain where the roofing contractor is toiling away at health risk. Secondly, roofing companies and contractors are less busy in the summer compared to spring and fall when everyone is keen to get their exteriors done before and after the harsh winter winds have blown. Thirdly, you can get an amazing deal for your siding job. Lastly, since they are less busy that time of the year, there is an added factor of efficiency of work.
Now that you seem fairly convinced that summer is a good time to spruce up the exteriors, next question is whether to repaint or replace the siding. And if you decide the latter, which material to choose?
Repaint or Replace?
A new siding generally has a lifespan of 20-25 years. This greatly depends on location and amount of maintenance and repairs it goes through over the years. Homes located near coastal areas or in sunny or humid climates will see faster wear and tear.
When faced with the challenge of repainting or replacing the siding, consider the following:
1. Condition – How bad is it? Has the color faded or chipped off or is there some serious damage? If it is just about the color-fading, you can simply repaint it. It will be quicker and will save a lot of money too.
2. Lifespan – The maximum lifespan of paint is five to seven years. So it is not really the ultimate solution. If you believe that your siding has taken a beating, it would be better to replace it than simply mask the holes with paint. Over the years, it will only get worse and demand more of your attention and urgency. So if you are looking for a long-term option, a new siding is the answer.
3. Budget – Budget is an inevitable consideration and repaint wins this one. But understand this, if you repaint every five to seven years, it will turn out to be more expensive than replacing the siding. However, if you are planning to move out anyway, painting is definitely the wiser option.
Siding Materials
The best and most obvious choice of roofing contractors and homeowners is vinyl. Vinyl is less expensive than others in the category. It is low maintenance and comes in a variety of colors. If you are up for a cedar-like look you may even consider plastic. Again, plastic requires low maintenance and goes well in any weather, especially winter. The newest in the category is fiber cement competing closely with vinyl for market share.
Fiber Cement – Is It Worth It?
Fiber cement is made up of natural materials and has good resistance properties to fire and insects. It has gained popularity in last fifteen years for offering the four much-desired qualities in roofing and siding materials of minimal maintenance, high durability, good aesthetic appeal and good affordability. Aesthetically, it offers the resemblance of stone, brick and painted wood. The cost of fiber cement is relatively lower than these other materials. You receive a limited lifetime warranty against defects and 15-year warranty against flaking or color fading. The upkeep is minimal, requiring the siding to be sprayed with a garden hose once or twice a year. Moisture infiltration problems may occur if not installed properly, so you may require the services of a professional to help you with the installation.
Although it has great qualities, when compared with vinyl, the leading material in the category, fiber cement requires frequent repainting to maintain appearance. Fiber cement also requires special tools and equipment and careful handling during installation (another reason to hire a pro). Vinyl is also known to provide better insulation that its counterpart. As a market leader in the category, vinyl outperforms all other materials such as plastic, metal, etc.
Home improvement does not have to be challenging, time-consuming and expensive. If done right, you can get the perfect summer look for your home at just the right price. Check the siding of your home now to see if any work needs to be done. Summer is not too far away.