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Vinyl Siding Facts
Want to know a few basic
facts about vinyl siding? Certainly there must be a reason why
every house seems to have it (hint: the last FAQ will answer
that question!).
What is vinyl siding?
It's a second skin for your house: long strips of polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) fashioned to look like traditional wood siding.
Do I need to remove my
current siding first?
You can do this, but for renovation projects installers
typically install over existing siding.
Vinyl siding just comes
in beige or wimpy pastel colors, right?
Traditionally, this has been the case. More recently, though,
techniques have been developed to infuse vinyl siding with
richer, deeper colors.
Will high winds rip off
vinyl siding?
Most siding installation is rated for winds up to 110 mph. If
wind does rip it off, note that vinyl siding is much easier to
re-install than other types of siding.
What's it means when
the salesperson talks about a "square?"
A square is 100 square feet of siding (10 feet by 10 feet).
Individual square footage is not used.
I hate power washers.
Do I have to use one to clean vinyl siding?
No. Actually, you're better off with less water pressure. Just
use a garden hose, a soft-bristled brush, and diluted solutions
of Fantastik® or Windex®. Solutions of vinegar (30%) and water
(70%) will also do the job.
Will the color in vinyl
siding last forever?
No. Nothing applied to a house exterior can be expected to last
for decades. The color in vinyl siding does retain for quite a
long time, though. Compared to traditional exterior house paint,
the color in your vinyl siding will last much, much longer.
But isn't vinyl siding
tacky?
In recent years, vinyl siding manufacturers have really stepped
up to the plate to offer much more than the "plain vanilla"
product we have become accustomed to. Even old homes can be
sided with vinyl and retain their historic appeal. Really. It's
worth investigating.
So, why does every
house seem to have vinyl siding?
It's the cheapest siding option around. Try this test. Get a
quote for having your house professionally painted.
Chances are, the vinyl
siding installation quote will very close, if not better. And
with vinyl siding, depending on the installer, you might get a
lot of extras thrown in--gutters, window cap, insulation under
the siding, etc.
Source: About.com
From Lee Wallender,
Your Guide to Home Renovations |
