VINYL SIDING

VINYL SIDING 
(POLYVINYL CHLORIDE - PVC)

COSTS:

  • KNOT FREE WOOD SIDING  CAN COST 2 OR 3 TIMES AS MUCH AS VINYL AND MUST BE PAINTED OR STAINED.
  • ALUMINUM / STEEL COST APPROXIMATELY  30% MORE.
  • PLYWOOD / HARDBOARD COST ABOUT THE SAME BUT MUST BE PAINTED AND DO NOT WEAR AS WELL.

QUALITY

  • QUALITY LIES BURIED IN MANUFACTURING PROCESS SO CHOOSE A MAJOR COMPANY WITH A GOOD WARRANTY THAT YOU BELIEVE WILL BE IN BUSINESS FOR YEARS TO COME.

WARRANTY - GOOD COMPANIES OFFER LIFETIME WARRANTY AGAINST CRACKING, WARPING, CHIPPING, AND FADING. GOOD WARRANTIES ARE TRANSFERABLE, BUT THEY’RE PRORATED.

  • CAUTION - VINYL COLORS WILL FADE SOME UNDER INTENSE SUNLIGHT, BUT FADING SHOULD BE UNIFORM, NOT SPLOTCHY OR BLEACHED WHITE.
  • CAUTION - VINYL CAN BE PAINTED WITH ACRYLIC PAINT BUT THE WARRANTY WILL BE VOIDED. PAINT WILL NOT RUIN APPEARANCE OR SHORTEN LIFE, BUT MANUFACTURERS WON’T WARRANT THE PAINT WILL STICK.

INSTALLATION TIPS -

  1. VINYL SIDING IS HUNG NOT SECURED SO IT WILL NOT BOW & WAVE WHEN IT EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS. SIDING SHOULD BE INSTALLED SO IT CAN BE MOVED 1/4" SIDE TO SIDE.
  2. BUTT END OF OVERLAPPING SECTIONS SHOULD POINT AWAY FROM DOORS AND OTHER SIGHT LINES TO MINIMIZE THE UNSIGHTLINESS OF THESE LAPS.
  3. BUTT JOINTS SHOULD BE RANDOMLY STAGGERED.
  4. ON LONGER PIECES, ADEQUATE GAPS MUST BE PROVIDED IN J-CHANNELS TO ALLOW FOR ADDED EXPANSION & CONTRACTION.
  5. SHORT SECTIONS DON’T HOLD SHAPE WELL. PIECES SHOULD BE AT LEAST 2 FEET LONG.
  6. FLASHING DETAILS AROUND DOORS AND WINDOWS ARE CRITICAL. CAUTION: THE BOTTOM EDGES OF WINDOWS IS A VULNERABLE SPOT OFTEN MISSED BY INSTALLERS.  SEE MANUFACTURER INSTALLATION DETAILS.
  7. IF WALLS ARE SOMEWHAT "WAVY" SELECT A THICKER SIDING - .05 +.  OR ONE OF THE "REINFORCED" DESIGNS.
  8. WHERE POSSIBLE, PROFESSIONALS RUN SIDING UNDER LIGHT FIXTURES, WATER FAUCETS, THE ELECTRICAL SERVICE, DECK RAILINGS, AND OTHER THINGS ATTACHED TO SIDES OF HOUSE RATHER THAN RUNNING J-CHANNEL AROUND THESE THINGS. IT LOOKS BETTER.  OR BETTER STILL, USE "MOUNTING BLOCKS" DESIGNED FOR PROTRUSIONS.

CAUTION: INSPECT SEVERAL JOBS DONE BY THE CREW THAT WILL BE DOING YOUR HOUSE.  ASK THE NAME OF THE CREW LEADER AND MAKE SURE THAT’S WHO SHOWS UP ON YOUR JOB. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT!!!