Siding adds to curb appeal
Replacing old or damaged siding on your house
can make it easier to sell it or add long-term value if you’re planning to stay for several years.
According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, adding new siding offers one of the best returns on an investment a homeowner can make.
“Anything you own and are trying to resell, if it’s maintained, it’s going to sell (faster) than if it isn’t,” said Matt Wright, a certified remodeler and owner of The HomeWright, LLC.
Wright likes to get creative when adding siding to a home by dressing up trim pieces, shutters and other exterior components. “It’s taking a design eye to the outside, like I do to the inside, to add curb appeal and also to maintain the house,” he said.
Homeowners can choose from a variety of siding options to fit their needs. Wood, vinyl and fiber-cement are the most popular choices:
Wood: It offers a nice aesthetic appeal to many homeowners but can be pricey, inviting to insects and requires more maintenance than other siding types.
Vinyl: It is an easy-to-maintain, low-cost option and doesn’t rot or wear like wood. However, it can crack, chip and fade over time.
Fiber cement: It has more of a wood appearance and is more durable than vinyl. It has become the preferred choice of homeowners in recent years, but typically costs more than vinyl.
“Unlike vinyl, fiber cement is fire- resistant,” said Mike Dittmer, owner of Aztec Homes Fiber Cement Siding. “It does not expand or contract and is hail-resistant. Unlike wood, fiber cement will not rot. It’s resistant against all insects and woodpeckers. Most of what I replace is wood and vinyl.”
Ultimately, homeowners must weigh the pros and cons of the different siding types and choose what best fits their personal tastes and budgets.
“People just have to see what their options are; see how knowledgeable (service companies) are, not only about the product, but about the installation,” Wright said.
If you do it yourself:
» You expose yourself to physical dangers — mostly from ladder falls, and potential health hazards from inhaling the residual dust.
» You might void your warranty if installation is done improperly or in conflict with a manufacturer’s instructions.
If you decide to hire a contactor:
» Avoid those who market their work door-to-door.
» Always verify a contractor’s insurance and references before you hire.
» Ask for before and after photos of other jobs.
» Know that fiber cement siding has to be installed by a certified preferred remodeler approved by the manufacturer. If not, Dittmer said, the warranty is voided.
“If it’s installed properly, fiber cement requires minimal maintenance,” Dittmer said.
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