Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 15, 1999 06:56am | #1

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   Bill:

   Not sure this a very good place to post your question. Not many vinyl siding fans around here and those of us who do think it's viable product have to keep our heads kinda low to avoid the incoming. As far as aluminum siding, can't help you there as it is no longer sold in my area.

   One thing to be aware of with vinyl siding is that there are various qualities available. Manufactures often make their premium products thinker. Vinyl siding comes in varying thickness from around .039" thick up to around .047", although the thicker product in one brand may not necessarily be better than a thinner product in another brand.

   Consumer Reports had a good article (8/97) about siding in which the rated the various products from several manufacturers, although sometimes I doubt the validity of their "mocked up" tests. The article also had a section comparing vinyl to aluminum.

   As with any product the quality of workmanship of the installer can make or break the job.

   Good Luck!

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 16, 1999 08:23am | #2

   *Ahhh. . . the sounds of silence. . . aren't we being polite??

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 16, 1999 09:21am | #3

   *Any votes for fiber-cement??hardie.com

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 16, 1999 11:16pm | #4

   *FOR THE COST OF A PREMIUM VINYL SIDING, ONE MAY AS WELL USE CEDAR, OR POSSIBLY FIBER CEMENT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU PLAN ON STAYING AWHILE. HAVEN'T SEEN ANY METAL SIDING GOING UP ON ANYTHING HERE FOR YEARS (UPPER MIDWEST).

2. 
   david_sorg | Jul 17, 1999 01:27am | #5

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   It always gets mine.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jul 17, 1999 02:07am | #6

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   Earlier vinyl sidings would get hard and brittle fairly quickly, accounting for most of the holes one sees. Current sidings are much improved. What really makes a vinyl sided house look bad is using it also on trim. Mixing the siding with traditional door and window trims (also available in man-made materials that don't rot) will make for a better appearance.

4. 
   DTRTY | Jul 19, 1999 05:02pm | #7

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   LIKE BUGS? GO WITH VINYL!!!!BUGS LOVE NESTING
   BEHIND IT!! LIKE DENTS? GO WITH ALUMINUM!!!
   RIPPED BOTH OFF MY HOUSE &GARAGE.GOT CEDAR
   NOW!!!!

5. 
   Bill_Wilson | Jul 19, 1999 05:02pm | #8

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   We recenctly had Mid West style hail storm which battered the existing Aluminum siding on our house. Now that we are faced with replacement, I'm getting a lot of conflicting information on what's available and what it will and won't do. Since locally I've seen some 6 month old vinyl jobs w/ holes punched in them, I'm not buying the "hail just bounces off" sales claim.
   Any recommendations and/or specs to look for in selecting a new siding for replacement.