Siding tends to be so durable, you may only need to replace it once or twice in your lifetime. If you’ve never replaced your siding, the process may seem a bit daunting. The good news is that with a reliable siding contractor in your corner, the process is guided by pros who know how to make it stress-free.
New Siding 101
Verify you need new siding
Look for these signs it’s time for siding replacement.
- Is your current siding loose or missing?
- Has your home exterior suffered pest infestation?
- Do you have signs of dry rot?
- Are there bubbles or blisters in your siding due to excessive heat?
- Has moisture penetrated your siding and caused mold issues?
- Did you notice an increase in your energy usage and higher utilities?
- Is the paint inside your home peeling?
- Is your wallpaper sagging due to water penetration?
- Has your siding become faded?
- Are there chips in your siding?
- Is it warped or cracked?
Choose the best siding material for your home
When it’s time to replace siding, think about your long-term needs. Understand that the siding you choose will impact your home’s appearance for a long time and provide needed protection from the elements.
Homeowners who currently have vinyl siding often turn to more durable options to get the performance and looks they desire. Vinyl siding is thin and dents easily, diminishing its looks. Cold temperatures can cause vinyl to crack, making your home vulnerable to the elements. When vinyl comes into contact with a fire or extreme heat, it melts. And it can fade at different rates, making its color inconsistent.
James Hardie® fiber cement siding is made up of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. Its durable nature gives homeowners peace of mind.
Safeguard your largest investment with America’s favorite siding material—Hardie siding. Protecting over 8,000,000 homes today, this gorgeous product gives you durable weather resistance and sophisticated style. Its 30-year warranty is honored when you have it installed by James Hardie Preferred Contractors, giving you enduring confidence in your investment.
Decide on siding style and color
Hardie siding’s ColorPlus® technology takes the guesswork out of finding the best siding look for your home. Choose from hues that are popular in your area and make a statement, or dream a little and pick a custom color that will make your home pop. Select from style options as traditional as lap siding, or as trendy as board-and-batten.
Find the best contractor for your needs
Take time to interview at least three siding contractors before choosing one. Get a written estimate from each of them, and compare not only materials and labor costs but also find out who will give you the best final product.
Siding replacement is a major investment, so research the prospects, and pay attention to online reviews from past customers. Talk with your friends, neighbors, and family about their experience with home exterior contractors. A personal recommendation bears a lot of weight when making a decision on home upgrades.
Check out the BBB and Angie’s list ratings for companies you’re considering hiring. Ask for references from recent clients, and take a look at siding the companies have recently installed.
How to Prepare for Siding Replacement
There are basic things you can do to make things go smoothly when your siding replacement takes place:
Declutter your yard.
Make it easy for contractors to get to and from your home exterior. Pick up all toys, planters, yard debris, and other miscellaneous objects from your yard.
Trim your bushes and trees as needed.
If you have landscaping that brushes up against your home, trim it away from your dwelling so the contractors can easily access your siding. If tree limbs hang onto your siding, cut them back, and if bushes scrape your siding—purge them.
Plan ahead for children.
Face it—kids need to move regularly, and they may be accustomed to playing throughout the day in your backyard. While siding is being installed, you’ll need to make plans for your children to go to another location to play. While daycare or sending them to a friend is an option, you could also consider making fun plans in town to take them to a favorite park, or go to a local zoo during your siding installation.
Make arrangements for pets.
Dogs need access to your yard throughout the day, so while siding is installed, perhaps get them a few days of dog daycare or send them to a trusted friend’s while contractors are upgrading your home.
Know the Projected Start and Finish Date
In general, it takes between 7 and 14 days to tear off your current siding and dispose of it, then install new siding. If things like wood rot or insect infestation are found once your home siding is removed, repairs need to be made prior to installation—and the timeline would extend proportionately.
Weather can work in your favor or against you while new siding is being installed. Building inspections are part of the equation as well.
Home exterior upgrades come with a wide scope of variables. If you chose Hardie siding and you plan on painting it after installation, it will extend the project’s timeframe. If you selected ColorPlus baked-on color that comes already painted, your project length will be shorter (and the factory applied finish that’s cured between coats will last longer).
Why Homeowners Choose Approved Contractors for Replacement Siding
Don’t settle for a subpar siding contractor. Look to the trusted professionals at Approved Contractors for precision installation and premium materials.
If your home exterior needs a makeover, although windows can still be installed after siding—we streamline the process by installing windows first, and then siding.
You can transform your California home with new siding. For more detailed information along these lines, take a look at the types of siding we offer.
