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Two of the contractors who are bidding my house have stated that the cedar siding specified is a significant factor in the high cost they are quoting. One of them said it would actually be more expensive than using brick. My architect specified A grade, 3/4 x 8″ dolly varden type western red cedar siding, smooth finish, factory primed, with two coats of paint, and stainless steel nails.
Can it really be that this is more expensive than an all brick veneer exterior? If so, what grade of cedar would any contractors out there recommend as a reasonable cost compromise while still maintaining durability and appearance (including ability to hold a coat of paint)? Would it generally be more expensive or less expensive to use narrower than 8″ boards, if you consider installation as well as material costs? Would a less expensive wood hold up as well as cedar?
I don’t know if it makes a difference, but the house is roughly 3000sf plus attached 2-car garage, one story with 9′ ceilings, except for an exercise room at one end that is 17′ high. I’m not sure of the square footage of the walls themselves.
Thanks for your help,
Rebeccah
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Reb,
Hardi plank and other cement sidings are great for a painted siding....Cedar should be used in my opinion only with Sikkens so as to show off the woods beauty...
Cedar and all wood is more expensive when cut into larger pieces because the trees that they are cut from are rare.
J
*Rebeccaw,As Jack indicated, there are many reasons for wood siding to be more expensive than brick. The availability of top quality, large width siding is getting harder to find and is at a premium. The installation of the wood is also one that demands attention. You have to be creative to ensure that the fit is proper and be weather tight at the joints, corners etc. Even modern caulkings will fail and will have to be redone periodically.Given the choice, I never would specify, wood siding on a large home. Brick is the most cost effective in both the short and long run. It never has to be scrapped, sanded, re-painted etc.
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Jack,
I actually had been strongly considering fiber cement siding, but I've been having one heck of a time finding any installed examples locally, for me to look at -- I don't like to try it sight unseen. Also, the last time I was actively pursuing this, I could only find one person, even on the web, who had actually had it on their own house. It's nice to know about the pleasures and pitfalls of installation, and the manufacturers' claims, both of which are widely available on the web; but nothing compares to actual end user experience.
This time around I've found a couple of forum posts from customers, and I'm going to try again to see if it is in use anywhere in this region -- west central Illinois. Not only for myself, but if I have to convince a contractor to use an unfamiliar material that wears out saw blades, gums up saw motors, and requires wearing a respirator to prevent silicosis, it would be nice to be able to put him in contact with someone locally who has already been through it. I'm afraid I'll get charged more, because of the perceived risk of using something that has not been used in this area before!
Anyone know where I can find a contractor or customer in or around Springfield, IL, or St. Louis, MO, who is familiar with the stuff?
*Gabe,I guess I'm disappointed but not really surprised to read your answer and Jack's. Of course, like most nonprofessionals, I perceived brick as being the most expensive option. Unfortunately, I also don't really like the *look* of brick, and it doesn't match the style of the house.I do understand what you are saying about installation, caulking, maintenance, etc; but, just how much a factor is the specified wood itself? I am actually not too keen on the 8" width. I like the look of a 4" or 5" reveal better. I've read enough to think one probably shouldn't skimp on the 3/4" thickness. What about the grade? Or am I just rearranging the furniture on the Titanic?If worst comes to worst, I may end up using vinyl to stay within budget, and maybe by the time that needs to be replaced, fiber cement will have some market penetration around here.Thanks for the input,Rebecca*h*
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Rebecca
Vinyl nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
bad girl
By the size of your house, smaller bands of siding may look flimsy.
If you don't like brick, how about my all time favourite, stone (manmade or natural if you can afford it now.)
*Vinyl can look super and will last very long...Certainteed makes upscale vinyl...No one but myself is willing to like vinyl in Breaktime, so don't expect any help there.I will install the siding of your choice if you can wait till september...J
*Gabe,Caulking anywhere in a siding system is a no no for me...There is a new but small group of Joe L types that know you are just adding to the "sponge in a leaky bag" problem by doing so...I'll sell you my caulk guns cheap anytime,..will keep one for tile, glass and other nonporous applications only.J
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Vinyl shares with brick the advantage of low maintenance, and has the additional advantages of low cost and the overall "look" of wood siding, that I like.
Actually, I am not a great lover of vinyl, myself, but there are other aspects of this house that are far more important to me, and there is just not enough money in the budget for brick veneer -- which means, apparently, that there is not enough for cedar siding, either. I'd rather put the money toward the large covered front porch, a nice back deck, a home gym/sunroom, the interior woodwork, a masonry fireplace, and a vaulted family room ceiling with electrically operable skylights; as well as a quality, perhaps even slightly "overbuilt", construction.
btw, at the rate the bidding process is going, it may be September before the house is ready for siding! (G*d, I hope I'm exaggerating)
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Two of the contractors who are bidding my house have stated that the cedar siding specified is a significant factor in the high cost they are quoting. One of them said it would actually be more expensive than using brick. My architect specified A grade, 3/4 x 8" dolly varden type western red cedar siding, smooth finish, factory primed, with two coats of paint, and stainless steel nails.
Can it really be that this is more expensive than an all brick veneer exterior? If so, what grade of cedar would any contractors out there recommend as a reasonable cost compromise while still maintaining durability and appearance (including ability to hold a coat of paint)? Would it generally be more expensive or less expensive to use narrower than 8" boards, if you consider installation as well as material costs? Would a less expensive wood hold up as well as cedar?
I don't know if it makes a difference, but the house is roughly 3000sf plus attached 2-car garage, one story with 9' ceilings, except for an exercise room at one end that is 17' high. I'm not sure of the square footage of the walls themselves.
Thanks for your help,
Rebeccah
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I bet it's more like Thanksgiving...
Good luck...choices in custom work are the biggest delay factor...I know because I have only done custom...Decisions delayed have doubled the length of most of my big projects and cost more for both the client and the GC...Decisions made quickly are a major win/win situation for all.
Deciding to hit the sack now.
Jack