If your existing home siding is over 25 years old and has been through more than its fair share of hailstorms, snowstorms, and rainy seasons, it may be time to get your exterior siding replaced or repaired. Maybe your old siding has become an eyesore and you simply want to freshen up the aesthetic appearance of your home. Whatever the case may be, when shopping around for siding replacement, there are some questions you’ll want to ask a siding company before settling on one.
General Questions to Ask When Getting New Siding
Before calling around to vet potential siding contractors, you’ll want to do some research and get an idea of what kind of siding you want, what brand, and even what color. Obviously any professional siding company will offer their input with the pros and cons of each. But it is your home, and only you know what you want the finished product to look like. Here are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself before comparing costs and siding companies.
What Material Will You Use for Your New Siding?
The material you choose for your siding is a major decision. You should base your decision on a few factors. The durability of the siding material, the climate and location of your home, and of course, the desired overall appearance and how it blends with the rest of the exterior. You wouldn’t want your new siding to conflict with the roof, windows, front door, etc. Here are some types of siding that you may want to research and consider.
- Vinyl Siding – Vinyl siding is by far the most popular siding choice in the United States. The affordability, wide variety of color options and durability, are all contributing reasons that vinyl siding remains the most widely purchased siding choice in America. It can even be made to look like wood, although impervious to termites. Some other pros to vinyl siding are:
- Simple cleaning
- Affordable
- 30-40 year warranty
- Variety of design options including horizontal vertical panels, shakes, shingles, and fish scale, scallop, or bearded shapes
- Fiber Cement Siding – Known for its natural appearance, fiber cement siding is a combination of wood, sand, and cement. While it has the appearance of wood, it doesn’t come with the same upkeep that traditional wood siding demands. Fiber cement siding also has a class 1A fire rating so you can feel especially safe during the dry season. Decay and rot are of little concern as well. And you can get away with not repainting it for over 10 years.
- Brick Siding – Brick siding isn’t as popular as more modern siding options, but it is one of the most durable. Brick siding can literally last a lifetime with little to no maintenance. But it does come with a lofty price tag. When you consider it can last for up to 100 years and is resistant to weather, fire, and pests, brick siding is a great choice for those that don’t mind the cost.
- Metal Siding – Metal siding has become a very popular option for coastal homes. Its island-like aesthetic and the way it provides added protection in overly salty atmospheres make it ideal for those living near the ocean. Aluminum, steel, and tin siding is also eco-friendly and resistant to hail. There is always the risk of rust, but that can be treated and maintained when needed.
- Wood Siding – Wood siding provides an amazing look that oozes traditional architectural vibes. This is another siding choice that is eco-friendly and good for the environment. Homeowners can choose between cedar, spruce, redwood, pine, or fir. While it can be installed fairly easily and quickly, you do have to consider termites, rot, and other drawbacks.
6 Questions to Ask Your Siding Contractor
Now that you have gotten an idea of what material you want for your siding installation project, it is time to ask more pressing questions. Knowing what to ask your siding contractor before signing on the dotted line is extremely important. Here are 6 questions you should ask your siding contractor before hiring them.
- How Many Years of Experience Do You Have Installing Siding? – This is an obvious question and shouldn’t be hard for them to answer. Contractors with a long track record of successful siding installations is a good indicator that they know what they are doing. If they have been in business for more than a decade, that is a very good sign that your siding company is doing something right.
- Do You Use Sub-Contractors? – Siding contractors, and most general contractors, hire sub-contractors once the project has started. This can become bothersome for some homeowners. With subcontractors, you don’t know what insurances or licenses they have, if any. Making sure that your siding company is using their own employees to complete your siding replacement or installation job gives you added reassurance that the finished product will be of high quality and completed in the manner you agreed upon.
- Do You Have Payment Options? – This is a pretty straightforward question. Asking what you are expected to pay upfront, what payment options you have, along with interest on any payment plans is absolutely something you should know before agreeing to go with that siding company.
- Where Can I Find Examples of Your Work? – This the equivalent of asking for someone’s resume. Any reputable siding company will be able to direct you to a body of their work with online sources or pictures you can reference. Check for testimonials, reviews, referrals, and past work to ensure that your contractor has an upstanding reputation and the work to prove it.
- Are You an Insured & Licensed Vinyl Siding Contractor? – Making sure that your siding contractor is licensed and insured to work in your state is very important. In the event that one of the workers, or even you, are injured during the course of your siding replacement, you’ll want to know that any damages are covered by their insurance. Don’t be afraid to ask for proof of insurance prior to the start of your project. If they hesitate, you may want to consider going with another contractor.
- Does Your Siding Company Offer Any Warranties or Free Siding Repair Services? – Warranties on siding is a reasonable expectation. The same should apply to the quality of the installation. If problems arise with either the siding or the reliability of the install itself, it should be covered by your siding contractor.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Home Siding Contractor
Window World of Boston understands this is a trying time for everyone. That is why we have taken extra precautions to provide quality service and follow strict state, local, and Federal CDC guidelines in regards to COVID-19. Although, we enacted added safety measures to ensure our customers and their home environments will be left undisturbed, all field services are temporarily suspended.
Remember that expertly installed siding can add value to your property and increase the resale price of your home. It may be prudent to weigh quality to cost, and fall somewhere in the middle. While it is easy to reach for the best bargain, you don’t want to skimp on siding either. Making sure it is installed correctly the first time can save you money down the road.
Select a siding material that is visually appealing is always important, but consider the material as well. Can it withstand the weather fluctuations where you live? Luckily, there are more siding options than ever before. Speak in length with your siding contractor about the pros and cons of each before settling on one type of siding.
Finding a trusted siding contractor is key to the longevity of your exterior. From installation to the quality of the materials, go with a contractor that is licensed and experienced. Check sites like Yelp and Better Business Bureau to verify that they do quality work.
Window World Boston can completely transform the exterior of your home and add value to your property with our superior siding installation services. We are one of the most trusted siding companies in Massachusetts. We offer FREE consultations and our customer service staff is available to answer any questions you have Monday through Friday, 9 am to 2 pm. Call today: 781.262.3925
