INTRODUCTION Your home’s siding serves a number of purposes: it provides an additional layer of protection for the home and enhances its appearance. If you are considering installing new siding or replacing your existing siding, this ebook guide should help make your decision-making process easier. Compare your top siding options, and learn how to select the right siding contractor to ensure your project’s success. Read on and follow this ebook!
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PART I - SIDING OPTIONS: BUYING GUIDE When installing or replacing siding, it pays to carefully deliberate on the type of siding to in which you should invest. Fortunately, there are a number of viable, available siding options. Let’s take a look at what three of today’s top choices offe, and how closely they match what you seek for your own home. Fiber Cement Siding
This type of siding is known for its ability to effectively mimic the look of a wealth of different materials, including masonry, stucco, wood and other exterior cladding materials. Aside from appearance, however, it offers a lot in terms of practical benefits. For one thing, fiber cement siding is low maintenance. It can also stand up well against factors that can cause damage, such as extreme temperatures, water and moisture, ultraviolet (UV) rays, fire and pests. Available in a wide variety of styles, textures and profiles, fiber cement siding is an option most often associated with top manufacturer James Hardie®. Cedar Siding
A more traditional material, cedar siding is a type of wood siding that is most ideal for cottage-style homes. It gives the home a rustic, timeless appeal. Cedar shake siding is relatively durable and long lasting as long as it is installed and maintained properly. Wellmaintained cedar siding adds uniqueness and stability to the home. LP® Siding is the most trusted manufacturer of high-quality cedar siding today.
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Vinyl Siding
This type of siding has become largely popular because of its generally low cost, aesthetic versatility and maintainability. Vinyl siding comes in a wide range of colors and styles. Some products are even designed to mimic the look of other siding materials. Vinyl siding is also easy to install, so labor costs are also relatively more affordable.
Indeed, it can be a challenge to choose from among these siding materials, given that each has unique benefits to offer. To make things easier, talk to a trusted and experienced exterior improvement contractor in your area who can properly evaluate your home and your needs, and give you solid professional recommendations based on their assessment. In the next installment of this ebook, we’ll discuss how investing in top-notch siding will benefit you. Stay tuned!
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PART 2 - THE BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN SIDING Home improvement projects, such as siding installation or replacement, are among the smartest investments you can make. These projects increase the value of your home in many ways - -making it more livable and lovable in the process. In this post, we’ll take a look at why siding, in particular, is something you should consider if you are planning to do some upgrades. Siding Can Change Your Home’s Appearance Instantly
Change how your home looks with new cladding! Installing new siding material on your home can give it a totally new look. Different materials lend different profiles, colors and textures to your siding, which is in keeping with the rustic, traditional or contemporary vibe that you may want. Siding also helps boost the home’s curb appeal. Siding Protects Your Home From the Elements
Siding serves as the first line of defense against the elements and other factors that can otherwise cause damage to your home’s exterior walls. When carefully selected and properly installed, siding will protect your home from pests, water, heat, moisture and debris, among other things.
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Siding Helps Keep Your Home Comfortable and Energy-Efficient
As an integral part of your home’s thermal envelope, siding also serves as an additional layer of insulation. During the hot months, siding helps keep the heat from entering your home. During the colder months, on the other hand, siding helps keep heated indoor air from escaping the home. As a result, your heating and cooling systems don’t need to be overworked, and your indoor spaces can keep you comfortable year-round. Siding Helps You Save on Maintenance Costs
If you have old, damaged siding or if you’ve got exterior walls that need to be re-painted or refinished every so often, there’s good news for you. Investing in new siding today could help release you from the burden of constant maintenance!
Siding Can Help Increase Future Home Resale Value
All in all, siding installation or replacement is a cost-efficient way to improve your home’s form and function. This will increase your home’s value - which is a fact you’ll likely appreciate should you decide to put your home up for sale in the future. In the final installation of this ebook, we’ll give you tips on how to choose a reliable siding contractor. Stay tuned!
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PART 3 - CHOOSING A RELIABLE SIDING CONTRACTOR Earlier in this guide, we discussed the benefits of investing in good siding. If you’re looking to invest in a siding project, then you’ll want to realize those benefits for yourself. Key to doing so is choosing the right siding material and, more importantly, choosing a reliable siding contractor. The Importance of Hiring a Reliable Siding Contractor
To some, siding installation may look and seem easy to do. A word of caution, however: we don’t recommend that you try to DIY this project.You see, there aren’t just different types of siding, but different installation methods. Moreover, to ensure that installation is done per specifications, siding manufacturers only warrant their materials against defects if their products are installed by their certified contractor partners.
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When you hire a siding contractor for the installation project, you are assured that: They know what they’re doing. They have the necessary skills, tools and equipment to do and finish the job. They have sufficient safety knowledge and gear. They can do the job efficiently and within the set time and budget. They will obtain necessary permits, and they know how to comply with local building code. They offer full service, from preparation to cleanup. They provide materi
Tips for Finding the Right Siding Contractor
To make sure that the contractor you hire is one that you can fully trust, ask them these questions:
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How long have you been in business? Where is your office located? Are you licensed? Can you show me some samples of your work? Can you provide me with a list of customer references? Which types of siding do you have experience and knowledge in installing? Are you certified by siding manufacturers? Have you received any industry awards? Are you insured? What warranties or guarantees do you provide? Do you do all the work or use subcontractors? How do you handle customer complaints?
All these questions will help you gauge how qualified, knowledgeable, experienced and committed your chosen contractor is. It’s important that you work with someone who is not only trained and experienced, but also dedicated to meeting your expectations from start to finish.
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Krech Exteriors 5866 Blackshire Path, Inver Grove Heights, MN 56076 (651) 968-8888 www.krechexteriors.com