How To Choose & Install Exterior Home Insulated Vinyl Siding & Questions To Ask Your Contractor

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What will the neighbors think?

So you´re getting tired of painting your house every three years, but you´re concerned vinyl siding may cheapen the look of your home. Surely in the past siding has been synonymous with lesser quality building products, but science and the demand for high performance materials have worked closely together in recent years to produce vinyl siding products that not only visually take on the appearance of painted wood, but can actually protect the structure of your home. Some vinyl siding products are also heat and wind rated to maintain architectural integrity even in the most extreme weather conditions. In short, this is not your grandmother´s vinyl siding.

Available in various lengths, styles, finishes and nearly every color imaginable, more homeowners are turning to vinyl siding to avoid the constant maintenance and expense of painting, repairing wood rot, fending off mold and termites and even saving money on heating and cooling costs. Where once siding was installed over foam underlayment, it is now available with an insulated backing that increases the R-value from an R-1 to an R-4. With siding available in longer lengths and no space between the panels and the underlayment, siding gives the appearance of a seamless, crisp look without dimples or sags. Your home will look freshly painted for years, if not decades, to come.

Okay, you have me convinced. Who should I get to install it?

Before you decide on a contractor, there are a few questions you should ask. You want to make sure you go with a licensed and insured company that has an established reputation for not only knowledgeable and professional workmanship, but also access to the quality of siding you want installed on your home. Be sure to ask about the warranty that comes with your siding as many quality siding products come with lifetime warranties that can possibly be transferred to anyone who buys your home in the future. Ask if their installation includes insulated siding or if they will be using a foam core underlayment as this can make a huge difference in the appearance and performance of the products you have installed. Also ask who you would contact if something happens to damage your siding and repairs are needed. A good installer will have a service contact for you to call in the event of an emergency.

With the right company and the right vinyl siding, you can enjoy a maintenance free home without sacrificing any facet of your home´s natural beauty. Your grandmother would be very impressed.

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Mike Brexler/ C. F. McPherson