While stucco-sided homes became a hit in twentieth century America, ancient cultures have been using various forms of stucco for a very long time. Ancient Greeks and Romans used different variations of stucco-like mixtures for walls that were painted on. Later, during the renaissance, the Italians elaborated on this technique using the cement mixture for decorative shapes or as a canvas for painting.
So what is the stucco found on many of our homes made of? Stucco can be created using the combination of many different elements including lime, sand, animal hair, cement and water. Usually stucco is applied to walls that have been prepared with metal screening so the stucco holds longer.
Just like all types of siding there are advantages and disadvantages. Stucco is most suitable for dry climates as it provides great insulation from the sweltering dry heat. On the other hand it should not be used in wet climates, obviously, because stucco is made using water. Stucco is long lasting and is very maintenance free (assuming it was installed correctly). Stucco is also fire resistant.
Stucco isn’t the first choice for many, but for those who want a classic Spanish or Mediterranean style home, stucco it is. Stucco can be applied in different styles and can be painted. One drawback is that stucco is more expensive than other types of siding. Be sure to get three to five bids on your project to ensure you are getting a good price.
Seamless Steel Siding
Most home owners know that vinyl, wood and to a lesser extent, fiber-cement are all choices of home siding, but the most used siding in America through the years has been metal siding. The newest development in metal siding, seamless steel siding, is cut on site and gives your home a sleek, stylish look. So what exactly is seamless steel siding?
Using a special machine and a roll of steel, the material is cut and wrapped around your home for a perfectly seamless appearance. While the average home is said to have as many as 130 splices in vinyl or wood siding, seamless steel siding eliminates the splicing for a smooth, waterproof, professional finish. Siding made from steel is very strong and will not shrink or bulge when temperatures change. It is available in a multitude of colors and can also be ordered with a wood or textured look.
Seamless steel siding isn’t a do-it-yourself project. Siding professionals actually measure and cut the siding on site. The siding provides a tough, durable, maintenance free finish, and requires no sheath-board under the siding although insulation can be added if temperature control is a concern. It never needs painting and is water, fire and termite proof.
The maintenance required is as simple as cleaning it with a garden hose, and it will not rust, flake or chip in even the most brutal weather conditions. The newest steel siding materials also have a PVC coating that enables the siding to resist color fading due to direct sun or harsh winters and also protects your home from damaging UV rays.
There are a few drawbacks to seamless steel siding. Steel siding is more expensive than wood or vinyl, but the advantage is in the durability and in the increased efficiency of your home. The material can sustain dents if hit with a rock or hail, and if scratched, the scratched area can rust. Replacing an entire sheet of steel siding is a lot more expensive than one piece of vinyl. One big concern among homeowners with steel siding is that high winds may enlarge the fastening holes and eventually let in moisture. Because the Dallas-Fort Worth area can get a lot of rain at times, and definitely a lot of wind, you might want to find other homeowners in your area who have purchased seamless steel siding and ask about these conditions on their home.
Are you trying to figure out how energy efficient your home is? One of the first places to look is the siding type of your home. Home siding is the shield that protects your home from outside elements, including protection from the sun and it’s damaging UV rays.
So how do you know how well your home is being protected? One measurement that is used to determine the energy efficiency of home siding is called the r-value. R-value is the recognized numerical measure of the ability of an insulation product to restrict the flow of heat, and, therefore reduce energy costs. The higher the R-value, the better the product’s insulating ability.
By looking at the R-Value comparison chart shown above, we can see that insulated vinyl siding has a much higher R-value than any other siding type. Insulated vinyl siding has an R-value range of 2.2 to 5.1 compared to fiber cement siding that has an R-value of only .15. Wood siding comes in second with an energy efficient R-value of .93 followed by manufactured stone veneer at .62.
If you’re looking to make your home more energy efficient, insulated vinyl siding is a great start. That’s one of the greatest advantages to insulated vinyl siding, just like fiber cement siding and other siding types have their advantages in other areas.
You’ve heard the term before, but what exactly is insulated siding? Insulated siding is rigid foam insulation that is placed behind the exterior of a wall. The exterior wall component is vinyl siding. Placing the foam insulation behind the siding does a few things:
- Foam insulation makes the vinyl siding more stable. Without insulation, vinyl siding can easily be pushed inward causing denting and bending, however, insulated vinyl siding is firm and cannot be pushed in and can better withstand high winds.
- Insulated vinyl siding also serves as a layer of protection from the sun, which helps in reducing energy consumption. Tests have shown that insulated vinyl siding can save up to 20% on heating and cooling energy consumption.
- The insulation helps keep the vinyl panels filled and gives a straight sight line. That along with recent technology gives the vinyl siding more of a wood siding look.
- If you have any experience with regular vinyl siding this will be just as easy to install. It is easier to handle, very lightweight and no special tools are needed for installation.
If you decide that vinyl siding is the best choice for your home, you want to make sure it is insulated vinyl siding. Insulated vinyl siding contractors are in every city so you’re in luck. And as always, make sure to shop around to ensure you are getting the best product at the best price.
According to a recent poll conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Boral Bricks, brick continues to be the top siding of choice. Over 59% of those surveyed chose brick as their preference for siding on their home. When asked about their choice of siding, respondents had a choice of brick, vinyl, stucco, fiber cement/composite and other, with participants being allowed to choose more than one option.
Vinyl siding came in second (37 percent), followed by stucco (19 percent), fiber cement/composite (14 percent), and other (11 percent). According to recent data from the U.S. Census, home builders have increasingly used lap siding products over the last ten years. Lap siding products are easier to install and are less expensive than brick.
What is Texas’ preferred siding choice? According to the Harris Poll, of those surveyed in the South, 72% preferred brick with vinyl coming in at 26%.
If brick is supposed to be the preferred choice, why are we seeing an increase in vinyl siding and fiber cement siding? Over the past ten years there has been a great increase in innovation and technology with siding products. Vinyl siding and fiber cement siding are more durable, energy efficient and have better looks than ever before. Another huge reason these products are growing in popularity, price.
While brick may be the preferred siding for many homeowners, more and more are opting to go with a less expensive alternative… and they do not have to compromise quality any longer. Perceptions are beginning to change with homeowners, they already have with builders. Brick will always be a top choice because of its great look, but do not be surprised to see more and more homeowners opt for vinyl siding and fiber cement siding.
Beauty aside, the purely practical, dollars-and-cents value of cedar siding offers other benefits: the cedar siding wood’s cellular structure creates interior air spaces that give it an insulation value higher than most woods and much higher than brick or concrete. Buildings which feature cedar siding tend to stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Cedar siding also has excellent sound suppression and absorption qualities.
Cedar Siding – A Bounty of Nature
By looking at it once, Cedar Siding may not look too appealing. But once you experience living in it, you will realize that Cedar Siding oozes warmth that you have been longing since ages. Traditionally, Red Cedars have been used in making the shakes. This was because of the abundance of the Red Cedars in the Taiga. But, with the advent of modernization, their numbers have greatly been reduced, making manufacturers look at other types of wood in the manufacture of shakes.
Benefits of Cedar siding
-The problems of shrink lines, lap marks, streaking and over spray are no more. They are very durable. It is said that some cedar sidings can even last a lifetime, if properly installed and maintained.
-No weather delays, no waiting for painters to show up, no lost production time.
-Every piece of wood is dried, precision milled and stained to provide long lasting beauty.
-Coating adhesion is improved as compared to wood that is allowed to weather while waiting to be coated.
-Cedar need not be painted. In this case, it will retain a natural look. Natural cedars can come in varying colors, from light shades to reddish ones. The more red the cedar is, higher is the price. Aging is the main factor causing the cedar sidings to become reddish in color.
Getting the siding material is an easy job.
Cedar siding has a disadvantage too. Since it made of wood, it is vulnerable to termite attacks. This will make the siding weak. There might be other pest infestations and fungal infections. All these will compromise the structural integrity of your house. Care should be taken against these agents. Apply a protective coating of polish or a varnish that will retard the growth of the fungus. Also take care that it is not in contact with too much water. It is true that to some extent, these sidings are water resistant, but after a point, it starts to swell like any other wood and this may once again make the siding vulnerable to fungus.
Cedar siding is well known and well regarded as a superior building material with a long history of excellent performance in withstanding the rigors of time and weather. However, like any other building material, it gives its best performance when properly specified, installed and finished.
By D. Faulkner
Just because consumers seem to be getting used to vinyl siding’s traditionally bland appearance doesn’t mean manufacturers have stopped trying to rival the look of classic wood. In fact, that’s where the really innovative advances are being made. It can be as simple as an extra line in a profile or as ambitious as attempting to copy the look of split-cedar shingles.
Another recent development is variegated color in some premium sidings. Highlight colors are achieved in two ways—either by dropping beads of pigment into the extruder as the siding is being made, or by applying nearly clear acrylic films over a weathered cedar-embossed panel. The result is a very natural appearance, unlike anything available before.
A more significant departure from standard lap siding is paneling with the look of weathered or painted cedar shakes. This can be used as an accent on gables or as a whole-house siding treatment.
And finally, many manufacturers now offer the look of hand-sawn, fish-scale cedar shingles. These come in 36- to 64-in. panels that look convincingly Old World, whether used on a true Victorian home or its modern suburban counterpart.
But it’s the new trim options that really improve the look of the average vinyl siding installation, and most of them are not terribly expensive. For example, instead of the typical flat, boring corner details of conventional vinyl siding, makers now offer extra-wide corner boards in both smooth and fluted profiles. The two sides are joined by classic quarter-round trim, which is available in matching or contrasting colors. You can even add a touch of class to the underside of roof overhangs with beaded soffit panels.
When it comes to window detailing, the traditional look of wood siding without the fuss has never been easier to find. Makers offer a range of alternatives from Victorian-style corner rosettes accenting 3 1/2-in.-wide channel trim to classic crown molding. And many of these trim pieces are available in light and dark designer colors. Finally, you can have a decorative sunburst gable, in solid or alternating colors. Decorative sunbursts are expensive, however. Each piece must be custom cut and pop-riveted to the adjoining piece, so it’s an all-day job costing around $1000.
By M. Henkenius
Most vinyl siding is designed to meet the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard 3679—a minimum standard for vinyl siding—so look for a certification label on each carton. The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) has created a certification program, ASTM D-3679, which sets higher standards and verifies any advertised claims. To be certified, a siding must pass tests for weathering performance, wind-load resistance, impact resistance, surface distortion, heat shrinkage and linear expansion. This program is still fairly new and not every siding will measure up yet, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Many manufacturers offer a Good-Better-Best product selection to 
reach all segments of the market. The cost of upgrading one level is usually not substantial—as little as $30 to $40 per square. But, depending on the manufacturer and the materials involved, there is the potential for a significant price increase. Some vinyl siding installers offer only one level of product quality, preferring to work only with the best, while others start with a basic price and build up from there in clearly defined increments.
One measure of quality is the thickness of the vinyl. It can range between .035 and .050 in., with the better panels starting around .042 in. Builder’s-grade panels are often lighter, starting around .040 in. Avoid anything thinner.
Thickness not only influences the stiffness of the vinyl siding, but also its thermal stability. Thin panels can bulge and buckle, and those thinner than .040 in. can sag in hot weather. Thickness is only one of the factors affecting stiffness, but it’s a big factor when comparing competitively priced panels. The stiffer the panel, the better it will bridge irregularities in a wall, so a heavier panel is a good idea when going over uneven older siding. Rigid panels are also better at surviving high winds.
Beefing up the nailing hem, the slotted section of the panel that’s nailed to the house, is another tactic that adds rigidity. Several manufacturers employ a rolled nailing hem that’s double the thickness of the panel itself for extra 
stiffness. The siding’s profile also influences stiffness. Siding can be made substantially stronger just by increasing the depth of the return in the profile from 1/2 to 3/4 in. The Dutch-lap profile, offered by many manufacturers, is one of the more noticeable efforts at stiffening through profile design.
By M. Henkenius
This article addresses three questions or concerns you may have when considering fiber cement siding. One of the first questions you may have is if vinyl siding is available for your style of home in you region. Another important aspect of choosing the best fiber cement siding for your home is who installs it and how good of a job the installers do. Finally, this article addresses something that is on everyone’s mind during the buying process, PRICE.
Does fiber-cement siding work well in any region?
The simple answer is yes! The product typically carries a 50-year warranty against manufacturing defects – which is transferable to the next owner (great selling point if you sell your home). Styles are available to match any design from Territorial to Cape Cod. In fact, you will find fiber-cement siding on homes from California to Maine! The durability of the products allows it to function well in a range of climates. It can withstand the heat of Arizona summers and the cold of New England winters. It holds paint well – typically 7-10 years and resists moisture (a common problem in Southern regions). Architects have embraced the product as well, so you will find many home plans calling specifically for the product.
Fiber-Cement Siding Installation
The product is designed for a homeowner to install – but you should research the product before doing it yourself. Because fiber-cement siding contains sand (or silica), it can be hazardous to inhale the dust. Manufacturers recommend cutting the product outdoors with pneumatic hand shears, specific saw blades, and using dust control devices on circular saws. Consult the manufacturers written installation guidelines before installing the product. It is nailed just like wood! Fiber-cement siding can be nailed with 8D common or roofing nails. The product is nailed to the wall and with the next piece hiding the nails, called blind-nailing. Or, it can be fastened through the overlap for added wind shear – known as face nailing. Because the siding comes pre-finished from the factory, it only requires one coat of quality paint. Acrylic paints work the best – and it is not as messy as oil-based! Below is a list of tools you will need to install the siding:
- Nail gun or hammer
- Chalk line for creating straight lines on the wall
- A 7 1/4” circular saw blade with polycrystalline diamond tips (see your local retailer)
- Dust mask
Quality tool manufacturers offer product specifically designed for installing fiber-cement. A trip to the local hardware store will yield a host of these products.
Fiber Cement Siding Prices
In general, it costs more than vinyl siding but is less than masonry, wood, and stucco. The main selling point of fiber-cement is the little maintenance required to keep the product performing well. It does not rot, twist, or breakdown due to moisture, insects, or weather. Paint also bonds extremely well to the surface. Manufacturers also offer the product prefinished from the factory, so you do not even have to paint it! While fiber-cement siding costs more upfront, it pays for itself over time due to decreased maintenance.
If you are looking for a product to increase your home’s resale value, require little maintenance, and provide curb appeal, fiber-cement siding is for you! It is sold at major retailers throughout the country. The product was designed with homeowners in mind, and can be installed with ease. It can withstand hurricane force winds and the harsh snow of Northern climates. While the technology of fiber-cement siding has been around for decades, its popularity has risen considerably in recent years.
Vinyl siding expands when it’s hot and shrinks when it’s cold—and not just a little. A 12-ft. panel can expand up to 3/4 in. on a hot day and a 30-ft. panel, 2 in. or more. This simple fact influences everything: from vinyl’s appearance to its installation particulars. Most of all, it means you need a skilled vinyl siding installer.
Because of expansion, vinyl siding must not be tightly nailed or fitted. Every piece needs at least 1/4 to 3/8 in. of slack at both ends, and nails must be driven in straight. Pieces longer than 25 ft. can expand too much and pieces shorter than 2 ft. can sag.
When it comes to vinyl siding installers, the best promise of quality is a history of quality. Look for an experienced, on-the-job installer who is eager to show you pictures of past work. It is also a good idea to ask for a few references that you can contact to hear a personal recommendation from a former client. Keep in mind that properly installed vinyl has a generally loose appearance. Signs of poor work are bulges, warps and separations in the siding, sags in vinyl soffit and ripples in aluminum fascia.
Workmanship warranties in construction typically last only one year, and most vinyl siding installation problems will become apparent during that year. Still, a three- or five-year workmanship guarantee is better. Many of the vinyl siding installers we spoke with offer lifetime warranties that match the product warranties. If you expect to move within a few years, basic siding and the low bid can make sense. If you plan to stay, premium vinyl siding and a careful crew is a better investment.
Vinyl siding contractors are usually replacement window contractors and gutter contractors, too, so you can order a fairly extensive exterior overhaul. Prices will vary by region so make sure to look around and ask for bids from several companies.
New home installations are generally a little less than the process of replacing the old siding with new vinyl siding. While vinyl can be pricey, a standard installation doesn’t come close to the cost of wood or masonry, and is only slightly more expensive than hardboard siding. When you factor in painting and repainting, vinyl can be less expensive than hardboard. Because vinyl should never be face nailed, and because gutters are usually nailed through the fascia, most fascia wraps are made of painted aluminum that’s formed on site. Existing gutters must be taken down to accommodate the new fascia, so this would be a good time to install new gutters if that’s what the job requires.
By M. Henkenius
