How to Choose the Right Vinyl Siding

Like everything else these days Vinyl Siding has a ton of options, not just between different manufacturers but as within each Manufacturers own lines. So I thought because Spring has arrived and as more people get outside and see how hard the winter was on their homes they start to consider new siding options.

Almar usually recommends 2 brands for vinyl siding (not that there aren’t a lot more options out there.) We have found that Certainteed and Mastic have offered out clients the best product at the best price points. You can certainly find much more expensive and much lower quality options too. But we feel confident in these choices. The following are 3 basic types of siding styles:

Clapboard

Clapboard siding is design to resemble a typical wooden clapboard look. There are three class clap board styles: Double 4" or 5” Clapboard and Double 5" Dutchlap.

The inches refer to how much of the board is showing. Clapboard tends to be the most cost effective option, and to help you compare between lines and brands you’ll want to see how thick the siding panels are and what the manufacturers warranty is.

Typically in New England we find that most clients choose a Double 4” panel, but the options really are a personal style preference. (Insert photo of each type)

Shingle

A common name for the shingle siding look is Cedar Impressions.

Cedar Impressions is the brand name that Certainteed uses. And these styles of shingles are designed to look like cedar shingles with out the expense and heavy maintenance of wood. What’s good about this look is that it is typical New England. You’ll see these shingles on homes near the water where the owner wants and authentic look with out the authentic maintenance.

Or you can combine them with the clap board look and do certain walls of the house. You can get the shingle look with straight edge, staggered, split-shakes, staggered split, or half rounds. These panels are created from the texture and random size of real cedar shingles so that they look more like real painted or stained wood with out the splitting, cupping, twisting or streaking like real wood.

This type of siding is often more expensive then the clapboard option. And like with the clapboards to help you compare between lines and brands you’ll want to see how thick the siding panels are and what the manufacturers warranty is.

Insulated Vinyl Siding

Because wood studs make up ¼ of your home’s exterior –it’s like having one entire wall with no insulation. So many homeowners decide to go with Insulated siding panels because it can deliver up to 5 times the R-value of any other exterior siding product. From the outside it looks like standard clapboard siding on the back side custom contoured foam provided strength and rigidity for impact resistance, and can increase overall thermal performance of your wall by up to 30% helping to reduce your heating and cooling costs. It can also help prevent air infiltration to reduce drafts and absorb sound for reduced exterior noise infiltration.

Fiber Cement – okay now this isn’t Vinyl siding but this has become a much more popular option in New England in recent years. This too can come in the Lap or Shingle styles. Hardi Plank is the most popular options. With its strength, beauty and durability, HardiePlank® siding enhances and protects homes in all kinds of climates—and now, with the HardieZone™ System, All HardiePlank® lap siding comes in a variety of looks and textures, all of which are engineered for climate. It also comes with a 30-year nonprorated, transferable, limited warranty.

So if it is time to get the exterior of the house spruced up please give Almar a call (781-826-2577) to talk about your wants, needs and budget and we’ll be happy to help direct you to the best product for you and your homes needs.