Siding can be a great addition to a house making it look attractive and providing a dramatic change in your home’s appearance. If you are considering adding siding to update the look of your home, some pros and cons should be considered. Read on to find out about factors to consider when adding siding to your home.
Pros and Cons of Adding Siding to Your Home
Pros
As stated before, siding can be a great way to give the exterior of your home an updated look. Many types of siding are low maintenance and durable. Siding can also make your house appear more attractive, adding to its value if you are in the market to sell.
Cons
Siding is available in a variety of materials. If you use quality materials that are low maintenance and long lasting, your siding will be a good investment. However, this is not the case with all materials. Vinyl siding, for instance, can crack, split or look dull after a few years. Wood clapboard siding can stand the test of time but may require periodic staining of painting.
Common Siding Mistakes Made by Inexperienced Contractors
Siding will also only be a good investment if it is performed by qualified contractors who know what they are doing. If this is not the case, here are some common problems that you may be having to deal with.
Nailing Siding Too Tightly: Vinyl siding will expand and contract with temperature changes. If the contractor nails the siding too tightly, it will restrict the movement, and the siding is likely to crack. As a general rule, contractors should use a clearance of 1/32 inch between the siding and nail head.
Nailing Siding Too Loosely: Siding may also be nailed too loosely. If this is the case, siding will sag when temperatures increase in the warmer months. There is a fine line between nailing too loosely and too tightly.
Too Much Joint Overlap: The industry standard for overlap for vinyl siding is 1” to 1 ¼”. Exceeding these standards can limit the movement of siding when it expands causing an overall wavy appearance and cracking.
Not Allowing Proper Clearance: Siding should not sit directly on the roof or trim, nor should it sit directly on the ground. If this is the case, it means proper clearance wasn’t used, and the siding can capture moisture causing the siding to break down.
Not Using Foam Backed Vinyl Siding: Foam-backed siding can serve to insulate your house and has provides added resistance from damage. It also offers insulation from sounds, fewer seam problems, less maintenance and easy panel replacement.
To avoid having these mistakes occur during the installation of siding for your house, make sure the contractor you hire is licensed and bonded and has to experience with siding installation.  Ciarlone Brothers is licensed and bonded and have years of experience in siding installation. Our knowledgeable staff will always provide you with excellent service and results that will stand the test of time. If you want long lasting, great looking siding for your home, call us first!