Has there been a definitive article yet on whether to use vinyl, aluminum or concrete siding? It looks like we need to replace the siding this spring. Climate in Ottawa, Canada is brutal.
Edited 1/3/2006 9:59 pm ET by MartinB
Has there been a definitive article yet on whether to use vinyl, aluminum or concrete siding? It looks like we need to replace the siding this spring. Climate in Ottawa, Canada is brutal.
There's a constant source of clean water for you to use, and all you have to do is collect it.
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Replies
Never aluminum. Wood, steel, vinyl, and fiber-cement are the basic options. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but if you plan to still be living there 20 years from now fiber-cement is generally the best choice.
happy?
I agree with Dan
When I redo mine in 3 yrs it will be fibercement---- assuming I can make mine last that much longer.(weyerhaeuser 1975 version of LP )
Martin - It looks like I'm a minority, but I still prefer wood. It's expensive (what isn't?) and there's a certain amount of problem guaranteed because of the painting, but I think it's the way to go if you can.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
concrete is most durable and looks the closest to the look of real wood when painted or stained. I've seen some stain jobs that blew me away...hmmm that sounded weird...
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
I basically put wood in a specialized category -- a good choice only if you want true "authenticity" or want a transparent finish.After fiber-cement my next choice is probably continuous (site-formed) steel, in most parts of the country, though your better quality vinyl is a pretty close third. (Note that in areas where salt spray is a problem steel is probably not advised.) Definitely stay away from cheap vinyl -- cheap steel (or even aluminum) is better.With both steel and vinyl you have to remember that the "siding" is really just what you should regard as thick paint, and the wall must be weather-tight and at least modestly rain-resistant before the siding is installed. Fiber-cement (and wood), on the other hand, could be installed over bare studs and produce a reasonably weather-tight envelope (though I'm not recommending this).
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
Gents,
Thank you for the responses. I was one of those happy people HanH referred to so you must realise I am at the bottom of a steep learning curve here.
Others here in the valley have mentioned the fibrecement as a solution but I know very little about it. Apart from ensuring the the house is weather tight, are there any special installation requirements? Do you have a preferred brand?
Thanks
Go w/ the fiber-cement, definitely! Don't know how many brands there are out there but Hardi Plank is probably the best known. Fiber-cement vs vinyl is like the difference between alloy wheels and hubcaps! (IMHO) It's classier and just plain looks better. Far less maintenance than wood and it does provide at least some impact protection. However, I don't know about installing it over bare studs - the manufacturer says you must use a house wrap before installing it. However I have seen the cookie cutter subdivision builders putting it on right over the OSB. Do spend a little extra though and wrap the house. You won't be sorry!
Edited 1/4/2006 8:07 pm ET by Tejanohombre
Stain jobs on fiber cement? Was this on James Hardie planks? I thought they came pre-primed and could only be painted.
I saw it here "I think" from someone a ways back. I just remember it looking totally incredable. Better than I ever imagined a faux siding to look.The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
I don't know what siding it was other than cement. I just remmeber looking at the picture in disbielf.The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
View Image
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-housechat&msg=726.1
Edited 1/6/2006 12:00 pm by JoeH
Hot damn that looks nice. I'm going to look at that for my next project but using the individual shingles instead of the planks. Thanks for the link.
Gahnal Lumber in Laguna Beach CA did their office with the shingles. I saw it on a brochure, not in the flesh but it looked as good as the planks.
Joe H
That is a stunning photograph. I wonder how well the stain has held up over the last few years.
Looks the same today.
That was pre primed material, it is what HD sells here. I've never seen the unprimed, none of the local yards carry any Hardi, ONLY HD here in Cedar Cith Utah.
Joe H
I love wood but fiber cement is my choice now
Thanks for your comments - appreciate your interest.
Have done them all and I say Hardiplank. I'm in the middle of Hardiplanking a house right now as a matter of fact, and the stuff is prefinished. It's a baked on paint and it is matches with Sherman Williams colors I believe so touchup can be done. I think the stuff is great. We're combining the cement siding with the Azak board (plastic composit) for trim so this stuff will be around looking good long after anyone here is pushing up daisies. Azak can also be painted.