If you thought painting your front door was a dramatic change, just WAIT until you see the difference new siding makes. It’s like getting a brand-new house … without the hassle of packing or moving.
Here are five things you need to know before re-siding your home …
Start with an inspection.
Start at the curb and give your house a good once-over, and then walk closer to take a careful look at your current siding.
Is it sagging, cracking, blistering, buckling, or fading? Are there dents, water stains, or missing pieces? Is there evidence of insect damage, infestation, or rot?
If you said yes to two or more of these, we’d recommend re-siding.
Do your homework.
Re-siding your house is a significant investment, so it’s worth taking the time to do things properly. Don’t rush into any decisions.
Depending on where you live, you’re probably going to need to choose between wood siding, vinyl siding, masonry (brick), or fiber cement siding like James Hardie®. While vinyl is sensitive to sun damage and wood degrades from moisture, James Hardie® siding holds its own against the elements. James Hardie® products are more durable, noncombustible and water-resistant compared to traditional siding.
Evaluate each choice and ask yourself, which option is going to give your home a more upscale look. Which option will need the least maintenance? Asking yourself these questions ahead of time will save you from frustration down the road.
Consider the future.
You can repaint your living room walls whenever you feel like it, and you’re only out $40 or $50. But siding is a serious investment that needs to go the distance. What’s going to maintain its appearance and integrity years from now?
James Hardie® siding comes primed and ready for painting, or you can choose pre-coloured siding with baked-on, UV-ray resistant ColorPlus® Technology.
James Hardie® siding and trim products are also durable and designed to resist damage from moisture, freezing temperatures, heat, pests and fire.
Choose your contractor carefully.
In order to get the most for your money, you want to choose a quality product AND make sure it’s installed correctly — that means finding a contractor you can trust.
Ask family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbours for referrals — as well as who NOT to hire, because you’ll likely hear a few horror stories. Check with your local Consumer Affairs office/Better Business Bureau to see who has a solid reputation. Ideally, you want someone who specializes in siding. Make sure the contractor you choose is certified, licensed, and insured — and that they’ve prepared a written proposal with a price that’s based on the full project.
It’s a good idea to monitor the progress.
Even after you’ve found a contractor you trust, you should still be involved, present, and well-informed during the project.
Make sure your contractor is removing the old siding entirely — not just covering up old siding — and has your home inspected for possible damage from moisture, mold, termites, or rot. (Hopefully, they don’t find any of that, but if they do, now’s the time to deal with it.)
Your contractor should be applying a weather-resistant barrier under the new siding. If you have questions or concerns about how they’re working, be sure to ask. It’s your investment and your home.
New siding is undoubtedly the biggest change you can make to the exterior of your home. We know you’re going to love the finished product, and we hope you show us pictures the next time you’re in the store.