| MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR ST. LOUIS AREA | | | | the new home construction market. Vinyl is |
| HOMEOWNERS | | | | manufactured from polyvinyl chloride in a variety of |
| SUMMARY | | | | proprietary quality control processes (some vinyl |
| Home Siding Alternatives are discussed and, when | | | | products have recycled plastics and other impurities in |
| the facts are carefully analyzed, investment in high | | | | their formulations). There are a bewildering number of |
| quality, long lasting siding is a logical conclusion. | | | | types and grades (meaning great quality variations). |
| BACKGROUND | | | | Lower cost grades (and even some high cost |
| Many homeowners in the St. Louis metropolitan area | | | | grades) are fraught with problems: |
| are faced with making a difficult and costly decision: | | | | - fading |
| the repair and improvement of their home's exterior. | | | | - coefficient of contraction/expansion |
| This is because of one or more of the following: | | | | - less thickness means susceptibility to wind and hail |
| - natural weathering | | | | damage |
| - high maintenance | | | | - prone to fungus/mold requiring periodic power |
| - inferior original products | | | | washing |
| - poor original installations | | | | - susceptibility to impact damage ( for example an |
| To maintain or enhance the value of their residence, | | | | object thrown from a lawn mower) |
| sooner or later, a decision to repair and/or upgrade | | | | - melting and toxicity when heated (inadvertent fire |
| must be made. Usually delaying only increases the | | | | or heat from a BBQ) |
| cost. According to national trend analyses, today's | | | | - it can become unsightly in just a few years |
| savvy homeowners expect quality, low maintenance | | | | - repairs can be difficult and costly |
| products, and high value. Unlike interior treatments | | | | Even premium grades which use foam backing can |
| (room painting/wallpapering, floor coverings, etc) | | | | retain moisture resulting in framing wood rot. In |
| which are upgraded every few years, exterior | | | | general, vinyl is a poor, long term value and this is |
| components and specifically siding is (hopefully) | | | | born out in Remodel Magazine's Cost-Value report. |
| permanent. There are several siding alternatives, and | | | | The initial cost may be less, but down the road, for |
| choosing either the wrong product and/or improper | | | | the above reasons, residing may be required. |
| installation can be disappointing and costly. | | | | Typically homeowners who side with vinyl over the |
| SIDING ALTERNATIVES | | | | original siding are looking for less costly ways to |
| There are a myriad of siding choices - a brief listing | | | | improve the looks while improving the insulation of |
| follows. | | | | their homes. In particular, siding over rotted wood or |
| - Stone/Brick: This is a very durable product and, | | | | hardboard can lead to later expensive problems and |
| while expensive, it is a good choice for new | | | | is not recommended. Frequently warranties contain |
| construction. Because of nearly prohibitive costs and | | | | many disclaimers. Vinyl does not look like wood |
| integration difficulties, its application to the home | | | | (although there are some newer products that come |
| improvement market is limited at best. There have | | | | close). |
| been several attempts to develop lower cost | | | | - Fiber-Cement: Fiber-cement is manufactured from |
| "synthetics" several of which have been less than | | | | Portland cement and other materials in proprietary |
| successful. | | | | processes. The wet fiber cement mixture is formed |
| - Wood: Wood products have been a premier | | | | into siding sheets, horizontal siding planks, shingles, or |
| residential siding material for centuries. Wood has | | | | other shapes. After forming, it is dried and cured |
| proven to be durable and long lasting. It is available in | | | | using superheated steam under pressure - so the |
| red or white cedar, pine, spruce, cypress, and | | | | resultant product has very low moisture content. To |
| Douglas fir. But, quality wood siding has become very | | | | quote Paul Fisette (University of Massachusetts, |
| expensive and the frequent maintenance | | | | 1997): "Fiber-cement has a unique appeal: once you |
| requirement, in view of today's very busy | | | | install it, it's there forever.... Paint lasts a very long |
| homeowner, has diminished its appeal and value. Many | | | | time on fiber-cement. Since the material is so |
| cedar-sided homes built in the late 20th century have | | | | moisture resistant and stable, stress does not build |
| experienced weather deterioration (e.g., warping) and | | | | under the coating as it does on wood products." |
| nail popping. Also it supports moisture/fungus growth | | | | Paint manufacturers will warrant their products for |
| and is susceptible to attacks from insects, | | | | very long periods when applied to fiber-cement. Nail |
| woodpeckers and squirrels. | | | | popping and warping are not problem areas with |
| - Hardboard (or fiberboard): Even if properly installed | | | | fiber-cement. In addition to the variety of shapes, its |
| and impeccably maintained, it is difficult to | | | | surface area can be smooth or have the appearance |
| recommend. Nationwide, hardboard siding has failed | | | | of a variety of wood grains. But, careful, |
| on thousands of homes that were built in the 80's | | | | knowledgeable installation by fiber-cement craftsmen |
| and 90's. The result has been several class action | | | | is a must. Actually, the installation procedure is similar |
| lawsuits which have become expensive to the | | | | to wood siding, but extra care and skill is required. It |
| manufacturers. In recent years the hardboard siding | | | | is heavy and it does not cut as easily as wood. |
| market been greatly reduced. | | | | Experience should be an important factor in selecting |
| - Aluminum: This was a popular siding used in the 50's | | | | a fiber-cement installer. When installed in accordance |
| and 60's and, for a variety of reasons its application | | | | with specifications, it is truly a beautiful and long |
| to home re-siding has greatly diminished. | | | | lasting product and relatively carefree. For most |
| - Stucco and Synthetic Stucco: Stucco is a viable | | | | applications fiber-cement is a high valued alternative. |
| material for southern climates; it is very popular in | | | | Conclusion |
| Florida. Material costs are relatively low but installation | | | | Our trade-study conducted in 2003 determined that |
| costs can be expensive. Performance is usually poor | | | | fiber-cement siding, specifically James Hardie |
| in portions of the United States which are subjected | | | | fiber-cement siding was the preferred siding for |
| to frequent freezing temperatures. Synthetic stuccos | | | | nearly all remodels. James Hardie has been producing |
| (polymer/cement mixtures) have had serious | | | | this product the longest and they have conducted |
| problems and due to moisture retention framing rot | | | | extensive research to arrive at an optimum, |
| can be a problem. | | | | pre-coated product. Our experience over the past 7 |
| - Vinyl: Nationwide, vinyl is perhaps the most used | | | | years has validated that assertion. |
| product for re-siding residences and it is ubiquitous in | | | | |