*
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story

This floating home maximizes its waterfront location with seamless indoor-outdoor living, a unique two-story layout, and a design that prioritizes light and views.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
Well that was interesting. Obviously I did something wrong with the first posting.
I did a search on vinyl siding and didn't find much (Maybe I did that wrong too). Is it applied over the existing siding? Should you use it if you think you might one day want to change the color? How much does it cost? Is it worth it (cost vs look and appeal)?
Thanks,
steve
*You won't find much on vinyl siding here...it doesn't go over well with most Fine Homebuilding. Not very original, and to many, "fine". To answer your questions, all four at once, is easy. It depends. 1. Certainly vinyl can be applied over other materials and sidings, but like any other process, the BEST jobs are those that remove existing siding, check and repair underlayments, reapply proper weatherproofing (e.g., tarpaper), and then reside. You can apply vinyl (just as you can with aluminum), over just about anything. So it all depends on what you're covering, the condition of the building, how much trouble you want to go to, and how much work you want to do around all the openings (windows, doors, etc). 2. Well, if you want to change the color, you can use some paints to cover it, but again, it all depends; if you might change the color next year, why not just prep and paint what you have? If it might be 25 years, well, the vinyl might very well need replacing by then anyhow. However, I don't think I'd use vinyl if I thought it might need to change colors in the next few years. 3. Cost? Well, the cost, per square as to what's available in my area goes from $40 per all the way to $400 per square. It all depends on the style, thickness, and quality. I can get cheap white double-4" for $40, or I can get "shake shingle", .50 (thickness), with a hard to make dark color for $400. And don't forget that you can double your cost (or more), with all the accessories you need (starter strips, corners, J channel, terminations, etc., etc.,). It all depends on what you want. 4. Is it worth it? Well, it must be in my area, since 98% of all new homes have vinyl, and more and more old ones are being resided. I can't answer this question; only you can determine the aesthetics of it. Like anything else, we need a lot more information to get a good idea of your project, what you want to accomplish, and all the "little details" to give you good advice.
*You know what? I would love, love, love to be able to afford real wood siding. Yes, it's not "fine," but it certainly makes my house look better than the masonite crap that preceded it. I always scoffed at it until I had to look at our budget and make choices. The crew removed all the wet rotten old stuff and put Celotex, then the vinyl, and the Celotex has provided some savings on the heating bill. I was able to fiddle with some special trims that added a little distinction to my cape cod, and I'm pretty proud of my plastic house. Probably someday it will be the "masonite" crap of the future...I feel the same way about the wood floors I want inside the house, Of course I want hardwood. Is it a reasonable choice for my budget? If you can afford brick or stone or wood siding, and the maintenance of wood, for heaven's sake enjoy it. Choose the best material that works in your budget, and make the most intelligent aesthetic choices you can within that parameter. I think that's true in any craft.I make wedding gowns sometimes. Silk is the best aesthetic choice, it is the most comfortable fiber to wear in that application, and I enjoy working with it the most, because it allows me to do my very best work. But some ladies can't afford it. So I do the very best job with the materials that they can afford and make them a lovely gown. And I don't let them make really bad choices. If they want something cheap that I know will be a failure, I politely refer them to another dressmaker who can meet their needs.I read this discussion because I am sensitive about my vinyl, but I am even more sensitive to the aesthetic/budget trade-off. You regulars can help him out on the technical stuff. I'll be scooting back over to "Sprout Off" now.
*Ya know the funny thing about a nice cedar clapboard job.......stand back......and it looks like a nicely done vinyl job! Plus, at the corner boards and such....you get to rely on the caulk, when it's all said and done. Ever see a clap job where the caulk wasn't maintained? I'm guessing a well done vinyl job woulda lasted longer.....as the J doesn't need to be checked every year. Most of the newer mini-mansions I see around here, the ones that do have the wood claps....all have flat stock trim, so that arguement is out the window too. And, I've done several jobs where maintanence wasn't eliminated, but greatly reduced. There are ways to work in nice period trim......but this requires planning and thinking. So..... Vinyl can sometimes be applied over the original siding....depends what is there, and what shape it's in. If you wanna change the color....change the siding. I've never seen a paint that works.....and you are losing the benefit of better siding where the color goes all the way thru. A decent siding will average about $100/sq....materials. Don't forget to price out j trim, undersill, etc. And....coil stock if you are gonna wrap the trim. I like to try and keep period trim if possible....leaves a little painting, but looks nicer. Is it worth it.....if the original siding...what ever it is...is still in good shape.....that's for you to decide. If the oririnal siding is crappy masonite, as said above.....or crappy insulbrick...as my own house was.....yes, it's the single most cost efficient thing that can turn an ugly alley house/shed.....mine.....into a cute little "cottage". Jeff
*IF your house is your temple, and you bow down and pray to it, love it, cherish and want to donate your life to it's upkeep then side it in wood and paint it. If you have the same devotions OR an unlimited budget, then brick or stone it. If you believe your home is just a shield from the elements and a place to keep your stuff till the big guy calls you to the plate,(with a modest budget) then vinyl is the ticket. Either way, I don't think you'll be given extra credit or discounted whichever one you use.
*Thanks for all of the responses, definitely something to think over. The house was built in the 50s. The siding isn't bad (as in rot) but does need caulking, has some cracks, and definintely needs to be scraped, primed and painted. What are some of the better vinyl companies and what's the best way to buy and install it? Anyone for Sears? By the way I am near Seattle if there is anyone who sells and/or installs it.Thanks,steve
*I think you'll get a rousing NO vote for Sears. Best way to buy and install is learn how to do it right, get all the equipment, and set aside the time. Second best would be to find a local guy/company and pay a fair price for a top notch job. Start looking closer at the vinyl sided houses near ya and then ask who did it, and where they happy. If you have trim you'd like to save, find a guy/company willing and able to do so......and be willing and able to pay a little more for the "more than basic" job. Find a real lumber yard or roofing supply house....maybe you even have a siding supply place near ya......go there and ask questions. They'll either have inhouse installers and can recommend someone to check on. Drop one of the(local to you)regulars here an email and see if they'll take a look. That would be my first choice. Jeff
*Steve, very good advice here so far, especially like the wedding gown comparison. You get what you can pay for. Recently finished a major remodel where the owners opted to use vinyl for the new additon and "while they were at it" cover the exisiting wood siding. Ruined the look of the place. Lost all the detail in the trim where roof meets wall and where openings occur. Qualtiy of ANY siding job, including vinyl comes down to installation details. Use a lot of shorts or simply seam it wrong and it looks bad ! I try to avoid using vinyl siding near doors or decks where chances are good people will lean on it. Once you reach the upper levels (and one bottle of beer) it's hard to tell the difference. Until you see those seams !! Try to limit large open runs of wall to 14 or 16 foot and eliminate the seams, best install I've ever seen. Good Luck !
*