Siding FAQs: Signs You Need Replacement Siding, Siding Benefits, Siding Types, and More

Answering 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Siding

Webfoot Home Improvements understands that you've got questions when it comes to siding. And why wouldn't you? Siding plays a massive part in ensuring you have a home that meets your aesthetic dreams and is protected for years to come. We pulled together a list of the most commonly asked questions homeowners have when it comes to siding:

1. How do I know I need to replace my home's siding?
2. What's the process for a siding installation project? 
3. What are my siding options? And what's the best type of siding? 
4. Will I have to do anything to maintain my new siding?
5. What are the benefits of having quality siding? 
6. What's the cost to re-side my home?
7. Why should I hire Webfoot Home Improvements to do a siding project? 

1. How do I know I must replace my home's siding?

Chances are you are not an expert on your home's exterior, but that's okay! You don't need to be an expert because Webfoot is. If it's not apparent that your home needs new siding, then two easy factors help you decide if it's time to invest in a bit of home improvement. 

First, ask yourself how old your existing siding is. If your current siding is 25-30 years old, it will most likely end its life cycle. Very old siding often needs to be replaced or could use some repairs. 

Second, check out the condition of your siding. Inspect your existing siding for signs of damage like hairline cracks, warping and separation, dents and pits, peeling, and decay. The damage that will occur to your siding is unique to your home's environment. Southern and western-facing walls are more prone to sun exposure than others, and elements break on these walls differently. If your siding is in poor condition and your home was built in the 90s, you likely have deteriorating Louisiana-Pacific Inner-Seal Siding. 

Your siding replacement project will be tailored to meet your home's needs.

2. What's the process for a siding installation project? 

Once you've decided that it's time to invest in a refresh for your exterior siding and given us a call to kick off your project, we'll work our way through six key steps that make up a siding project:

1. An initial home inspection. When you request an estimate, we'll schedule a professional estimator to visit your home. We'll conduct a comprehensive home inspection to determine the current condition of your siding. We'll identify what needs to be replaced and what can be repaired.
2. The demolition phase. We'll remove the old siding that is too damaged to be salvaged. Demolition varies based on the home. We'll have to go more slowly for smaller spaces like soffits and fascias. We'll carefully consider the surrounding area throughout demolition, like your favorite flower beds or other existing vegetation. If you have a lot of space around your home, we can take those siding panels down faster. 
3. A look at what's underneath. Once we've removed the existing siding, we must look at what we're working with. We want to check that your home is prepared for the new siding before installation, such as having an existing house wrap.
4. She is completing preparations. The last stage before installation includes cleaning up the site in preparation for installation. 
5. The installation! With all the previous steps, installing your new siding is time. Once your siding is installed, it's then ready for paint or stain, if needed. 

3. What are my siding options? And what's the best type of siding?

There are many house siding options to choose from, with benefits ranging from siding cost to curb appeal. Popular choices include vinyl siding, wood siding, brick siding, fiber cement siding, and stone veneer. All of these options break down into the three following categories:

1. Natural wood siding. Natural wood siding will be your most expensive option and require the most maintenance. However, it has the benefit of improving your home's curb appeal and value. The natural wood grain looks great and brings a lot of texture to your home's exterior. 
2. Cement-based composite siding. Cementitious siding is your middle-of-the-road cost option. This category includes products like the James Hardie: hardie plank lap siding, which Webfoot recommends. Cement-based sidings are very heavy and slower to work with. However, they hold paint well over time without chipping or peeling and are deficient in maintenance. Their heaviness also improves their durability! They are fire-resistant and great at protecting your home for a long time. 
3. Wood-based composite siding. This includes engineered wood siding like the new generation LP SmartSide siding, which has 20+ years of success! Wood-based composite siding holds paints excellently and looks like wood at a lower cost than natural wood siding. This type of siding will cost you the least out of the three categories. 

When protecting your siding over time, we recommend looking into the manufacturer's warranty for your chosen siding. Siding 101 with Webfoot offers further information on types of siding and their pros and cons.

4. Will I have to do anything to maintain my new siding?

Now that you've replaced your siding, how do you protect it and make it last long-term? There are various forms of protection for your siding, depending on the type you choose. You'll want to paint or stain unfinished siding after installation to protect it from the elements. For finished composite sidings, the protection of a coating is already built-in. 

How frequently you have to re-finish siding depends on your chosen siding and the exposure amount. For example, a semi-transparent finish on natural wood siding must be maintained more regularly. In contrast, a coated composite siding will require less regular maintenance.

If you're choosing a quality siding product with the proper protection, it should last 30-40 years — meaning you probably won't have to replace the siding on your home again. The most important thing you can do to get the most life out of your siding is to keep up with the maintenance needed for your chosen type of siding. 

5. What are the benefits of having quality siding?

Money invested in siding repair and replacement is put towards your home's value and integrity. When you choose a quality siding product and invest in professional installation, it provides long-term protection, contributing to your home's value over time. Siding is responsible for protecting the stability and durability of your home; it protects your home's frame, walls, and roof. Specifically, siding offers benefits like resistance to fire, moisture, pests, and climate. 

Imagine your siding like a big safety blanket over your home that protects it from the wear and tear of the surrounding environment. You don't want to leave your home without a good blanket, do you? 

6. What's the cost to re-side my home?

Like every other aspect of a siding project, the cost varies based on the unique aspects of your home. But Webfoot can make it easy for you. When you schedule a free estimate, we'll send a professional estimator to your home who will break down the costs for you. Our estimator will do a home inspection and recommend what existing siding can be salvaged and what needs to be replaced. The estimator is there to answer any questions about our product, process, or cost. 

When we price a siding project, we discuss the cost in squares. A square of siding is about 100 square feet of coverage. The range cost per siding square is $1,000-5,000/square. 

7. Why should I hire Webfoot Home Improvements for a siding project? 

So, why should you hire many painters to do your home's siding? Good question. You should hire us because we're painters. Unlike other siding contractors, we're fully equipped to provide a comprehensive look at your home! We can identify where your existing siding can be repaired and painted with an elastomeric primer, which saves you the cost of a complete replacement. We can also provide a professional opinion on the best-finishing coats to give you a choice of siding for long-term protection. 

We also have dedicated crews that are all siding all the time, so you can know that you are getting experienced professionals for your job. Compared to other contractors or the DIY alternative, Webfoot offers expertise and experience that you won't find elsewhere — especially at a box store (sorry Home Depot and Lowe's). 

Our full-time carpenters will handle all your exterior siding needs with the same level of service you've learned with our painting projects. 

Call us with all your home siding questions and get a free quote today!