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TruWood siding

Replacing your Northern Virginia siding can be an expensive project. Many homeowners tackling this home improvement are looking for affordable options that deliver the same level of durability and visual appeal of traditional siding products. Engineered wood siding offers homeowners a familiar look and relatively good quality, but most people are initially attracted to the lower price.
Compared to traditional solid wood siding, engineered wood is more affordable. You’ll find many of the same patterns and styles across a wide range of manufacturers, including TruWood and SmartSide. But how does this man-made product stack up against the natural strength and durability found in traditional wood siding? Would you be better to make the switch to vinyl siding and enjoy a maintenance-free solution?

How Is Engineered Wood Siding Made?

Manufacturers combine wood by-products, such as sawdust, chips and flakes, with adhesive to make textured sheets of engineered wood siding in various styles. Both vertical and horizontal designs are available, and the appearance mimics wood species traditionally used for siding including cedar, pine and redwood.

Engineered wood siding goes up quickly, reducing the labor costs of your Northern Virginia siding project. It may or may not offer the same level of insulation that traditional wood does, but engineered wood can be easily installed over various insulation products.

Maintenance Specifications

Just like traditional wood, engineered wood siding will require a coat of paint or stain every five to ten years. It’s difficult to sand down and refinish, so be sure to choose a finish color and stick with that. Some brands come pre-finished from the factory, but that finish will fade and wear away with time. Repainting helps to extends the life of this product, as well as keeping the appearance fresh and clean.

The biggest issue with engineered wood siding is moisture. Because this product contains wood by-products that tend to absorb moisture, as well as adhesives that may breakdown in moisture, you may run into difficulty with excessive exposure. Paints and stains repel rain, snow and sleet, but if engineered wood siding is left in standing water it will deteriorate and create serious problems.

Proper installation remains the most important factor when choosing this type of siding. Ask your siding contractor whether they have dealt with engineered products before, and be sure their installation procedures follow the manufacturer’s direction. Hire a company that offers a solid warranty on the installation, as well as good warranty coverage on the product.

Engineered wood siding provides value for the money. Costs are similar to fiber cement board siding and vinyl siding products, but engineered wood offers a more rustic, traditional appeal. If you are longing for that look but cannot afford to invest in traditional wood, a high quality engineered siding product may be right for you. Be aware of the maintenance required and hire an experienced installer.

For a more solid product with a longer lifespan and less chance of damage, opt for solid wood siding or consider installing vinyl Northern Virginia siding. In any case, do your homework before making a final decision and you’re bound to be happier with the final product.

Vinyl siding is designed to last for years, providing an attractive and durable exterior finish for your home. But certain conditions and circumstances can easily damage your Virginia siding. From melted panels to discoloration and problems with nearby vegetation, many of these situations can be avoided.

How To Avoid Melting Your Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding can hold up to extreme climate conditions, including hot summer days and frozen winter nights. But it is a combustible material. When direct flames or extreme concentrated sunlight is applied to the material, damage will occur.

Keep your BBQ grill and backyard fireplace away from the siding in order to reduce the risk of heat damage. Check the owner’s manual for recommended clearances and use non-combustible materials as a barrier. Remember that the fascia and soffits above your BBQ or fireplace are also made from vinyl and can be subject to warping and damage when exposed to heat.

Direct sunlight is rarely a problem with vinyl siding, unless the rays are concentrated due to reflection. Use shade trees and screens to break up concentrated rays before they hit your siding. Many energy efficient windows are designed to reflect light away from your home, but those same reflections may cause a problem on the neighbor’s vinyl siding. Screens, awnings or leafy branches can be strategically placed to break up the rays and avoid any siding damage.

How to Avoid Discoloration on Your Virginia Siding

Most quality vinyl siding products are manufactured to resist discoloration. You may notice some fading on the surface , but the color penetrates right through the siding materials offering an even finish. Dents and scratches will be less noticeable.

But discoloration can still be a problem if the vinyl is exposed to chemicals and other substances. Some insecticides and herbicides contain harsh chemicals that will stain the surface of your siding. Take care to protect areas around your garden, especially when using a sprayer or applying products on a windy day.

Remember to cover your siding when staining and painting exterior features of your home. Stain can easily splash onto the siding when you’re coating a deck or railing. Removing excessive stain or paint right away could help to avoid discoloration, but hanging up a thin plastic covering will work well to protect the entire area from overspray and splashing.

How To Avoid Damage From Vegetation

Many different plants pose a threat to your siding if left to grow unchecked. Vines, bushes and trees present the greatest danger. Branches, stems and vines can grow around, under and even through siding panels given the right conditions. If a particularly strong species of plant grows into your siding and establishes itself, further growth could warp the panels resulting in gaps.

The best solution is to keep vegetation off of your vinyl siding. Trim any vines and branches that make their way onto the wall, or keep a close watch on the plant if you don’t want to cut it down entirely. Many climbing vines stick to siding and cause discoloration. Cutting these away is your only option.

Your Virginia siding is designed for durability. With the proper protection and professional installation, vinyl siding provides a virtually maintenance free exterior finish. Use common sense and a keen eye to keep your vinyl siding looking its best for years to come.

The exterior of your home needs to be finished for protection and architectural appeal. Choose from a variety of Northern Virginia siding styles to achieve an attractive and durable look. But siding accessories also help to bring that look together, finishing awkward corners, covering gaps and creating a seamless appearance. Bringing these exterior finish elements together can be challenging, but enhanced siding accessories will transform your house from an ordinary building to an extraordinary home.

Keyed Corners

Instead of simply installing outside corner trim, look for keyed corner trim. This product has more depth and detail, providing a better profile on the corners of your siding. This product comes in a variety of widths and profiles, designed to compliment any style of home.

Some homeowners opt for corner trim in a matching color, while others choose a complimentary or contrasting tone. It depends entirely on how you would like the finished look to appear, as well as the total number of corners on the building and their location. Contrasting colors can seem busy if your home has a lot of angles, while matching trim can look washed out on a fairly flat or square home.

Dentil Trim and Crown Molding

Adding trim to the underside of overhangs and eaves provides interesting detail and form on the exterior of your home. Just as crown molding will enhance the interior of the house, dentil trim and crown moldings can be installed over your Northern Virginia siding to create a beautifully detailed and upscale look.

Accent certain areas of the house, like the front porch, or trim around gables and across straight rooflines to achieve the same details over the entire building. Dentil trim offers smaller, rectangular blocks in an offset pattern, while crown molding has a swooping look that provides greater depth at the roofline.

Shutters and Window Corner Blocks

Dress up the windows with siding accessories in contrasting colors. Shutters provide a dashing look, but may also offer protection and shade for the windows if they are operational. Many homeowners opt for the standard decorative models that simply provide a wider vision of your windows.

Give the corners of your window trim a dash of style using window corner blocks. Available in wood and vinyl, these square pieces often have a decorative shape formed into the middle. Set into each corner of the window trim, those shapes add an interesting twist to the flat, boring trim typically seen on most homes.

Mounting Blocks

Do you want to make your exterior lights, hose reels and house numbers stand out in a decorative way? Take a look at how mounting blocks can completely change these utilitarian additions into works of art. A vinyl mounting block can be added over vinyl siding, fiber cement siding or stucco, providing a flat area for the fixture to sit on and a molded trim to cover the hole underneath. These components add depth and can be chosen to match exterior moldings and trim to provide a symmetrical look on your house.

No matter what type of Northern Virginia siding you are having installed, siding accessories like keyed corners, dentil trim, window corner blocks and mounting blocks can will dress up the finished look. Add style to your home the easy way with high quality siding accessories from your preferred manufacturer.

Vinyl siding is a popular choice for homeowners across the United States. Offering a low maintenance solution for your home’s exterior, vinyl  is also available in a variety of styles designed to mimic traditional and maintenance-intensive types of Virginia siding. Have you considered these attractive and affordable alternatives to your preferred look?

Shakes and Shiplap

Wood siding adds charm to your home, but it will also add a fair amount of work to your schedule. Wood needs to be painted or stained in order to slow down the aging process. It also needs to be protected from pests and will rot quickly when moisture is consistently present.

There are various styles of vinyl siding that have been formed to look like wood - from replica cedar shakes to shiplap vinyl siding, these products offer all of the charm without any of the maintenance. You can even get these siding styles in natural wood colors, including golden cedar tones and traditional painted wood finishes like nautical blue or whitewashed pine.

Manufacturers also offer vertical vinyl siding that looks similar to tongue and groove cedar, a style often seen on sheds or pool cabanas. This gives your home a distinct look and comes in a wide range of colors and profiles.

Log Cabin Look

Besides the flat wood siding styles that are available, you will also find vinyl siding shaped to mimic log cabins. Rounded and textured to look similar to the rough hewn cedar logs used on rustic cabins, this style of vinyl siding is much less expensive than its counterpart and can be used for the whole home or as an accent.

Many people wonder whether vinyl can ever come close to the look and feel of genuine log cabins. Stop by your nearest building supply store or go online to browse through samples and pictures of this product. You may be pleasantly surprised at the realism this type of vinyl Virginia siding presents.

Stone and Brick Work

Are you looking for a stone accent on the facade of your home? Maybe you’ve always dreamed of a stone finish, but the design of your home cannot accommodate the weight and construction of that material. Check out the vinyl siding products that provide the look of stone or brick without the added weight and depth requirements. Less expensive and easier to install than even stone veneer is, formed vinyl siding is available in a variety of shapes.

Look for profiles made to resemble bricks, sandstone and a selection of other natural stones in varying shades. Often made from a polymer compound, these panels may be heavier than the standard vinyl siding pieces, but they are installed in a similar fashion and provide the same level of durability.

If you are considering what type of siding to install on your new home or home addition, take a close look at the many benefits vinyl offers. But you don’t need to settle for the standard appearance. Vinyl siding is available in profiles that mimic cedar shakes, wood shiplap siding, log cabins and even stone and brick. The possibilities for your Virginia siding project are wider than you may have thought.

There are a variety of factors to keep in mind when choosing your Northern Virginia siding. The different types of siding have distinct appearances, varying costs and assorted levels of maintenance. Once you have decided which look you want, the maintenance is likely a major factor as it also affects the overall cost and durability of the product. Compare each type to get a better feel for which is best for your home.

Wood Siding

This traditional choice adds warmth and charm to your home, but those traits come with a high level of maintenance. In Northern Virginia the wind, sun and temperatures will do a number on a wood finish, resulting in the need to stain or paint your siding every few years.

Even the highest quality paints cannot stand up indefinitely. And a refinishing job is extensive and, in some cases, expensive. Factor in the cost and time involved when you are considering this style of siding for your home.

Fiber Cement Siding

Touted as a low maintenance and highly durable alternative to wood siding, fiber cement does come prefinished from the factory. This cuts down on the need to paint initially, but many of the brands currently being installed will fade with time. You may need to repaint this style of Northern Virginia siding on a five to seven year rotation, depending on the brand installed and property conditions.

Fiber cement siding also needs to be caulked in order to provide a high level of energy efficiency. Your caulking job may wear out due to damage, climate or age. It helps to use the highest quality caulking possible.

Vinyl Siding

Hailed as the siding option with the lowest maintenance requirements, vinyl is often an install-it-and-forget-it product. Besides a regular wash down with your hose to get that initial shine back, good quality vinyl siding shouldn’t need any other attention.

The color retention is high and fading, cracking and splitting are rare. Be sure that you are installing a brand with excellent ratings and a solid warranty. And always have a professional siding installer do the work in order to ensure the corners and seams are well done, providing a tight fit that will last.

Brick Siding

The most expensive siding option available, many people assume brick is maintenance-free. But even stone doesn’t last forever and the brick products on the market today do require regular maintenance. Every ten years or so your bricks (or more specifically, the mortar) will need to be repointed, an expensive job that must be done by a professional.

Brick siding is energy efficient and long lasting, but a repointing job often sneaks up on homeowners. They are surprised by the need as well as the cost, both factors that may have influenced their original decision to opt for brick.

Stucco Siding

This is another popular option that needs to be repainted or refinished on a regular basis. Much like fiber cement siding, the stucco will not retain its original color for long and repainting is required around every ten years or so.

Stucco also needs to be sealed. Resealing requirements are dependent on the climate and the exposure of your home.

It helps to understand the maintenance requirements of all the various types of Northern Virginia siding. Consider what you are willing to spend up front and how much money and effort you are willing to put into the maintenance. Time, appearance and durability are all major elements that factor in as well. Choose wisely and your siding will suit your home perfectly.

You will be faced with many different decisions when installing the siding on your home. There are different types to choose from (vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement and stucco, for example) and different contractors available for hire. But only an experienced installer will be able to handle these three tricky elements of Northern Virginia siding installation. Be sure you can trust them to get the job done right.

Stripping What Is Necessary

Stripping is the term for removing the old siding on your home. If you are involved in a replacement project, it’s important that you ask the installer how they handle stripping.

Some contractors will install a new layer of siding right over top of the old one. Others will attach a layer of foam insulation for good measure and still others will strip the existing material right off in order to begin the project with a clean slate.

It does depend on the type of siding you have chosen – fiber cement needs to be installed directly onto a stable layer of rigid insulation or into the studs. This style cannot be installed over old materials, although certain types of wood siding and vinyl can be attached in that way. Find out what method the contractor uses and why before you hire them on.

Seamless Coverage

Siding sheets often come in 12 foot pieces and are able to provide a seamless finish on some walls. Using full pieces will also cut down on the seams that exist on walls longer or taller than that 12 foot size. But there are bound to be scraps and smaller pieces. Some may be wasted, unless a spot is found for them.

Certain contractors make a habit of using the smaller pieces together to cover small walls. But this will create seams and many opportunities for water and wind to get under the siding and into the house. This may cut down of waste, but it will result in a lower quality finish. Good contractors should use full sheets whenever possible and create the least amount of seams.

Cutting Corners Correctly

Installation of siding pieces on large sections of wall is straightforward. But the quality and expertise of a contractor will be evident in how they install corner pieces. These essential trim elements provide the finished look you want and amateur or inexperienced installers may have difficulty getting them straight, well cut and neatly attached.

Corner trim covers the unfinished edges and seals off these vulnerable areas from water infiltration. Since you have made a sizable investment in your Northern Virginia siding, it’s important that you choose a contractor who will pay attention to these little details. Well-cut and neatly attached corners do make a difference, to both the overall appearance and the longevity of the project.

There are certain details that will noticeably affect the overall appearance and quality of your Northern Virginia siding job. Ask each contractor about how they handle stripping, seams and trimming the corners. Have a look at some jobs they have done to get a feel for their attention to detail. Then make your final decision based on how confident you are that they will come through on your home improvement project.

Curb appeal is an important factor for every home. Elements such as landscaping and architectural design combine to create an attractive face for your house. But many would agree that the color of your Virginia siding is the most important factor in curb appeal. Are there any foolproof methods of choosing the best siding color for your home?

Color Selection

There are a few different aspects that will affect the colors available for your project:

• What Type of Siding Are You Installing? – Each siding type has a certain range of colors available. Wood and fiber cement siding tend to come in natural tones, although these types can also be painted in bright or bold colors. Vinyl siding is available in a wider range of custom colors, but cannot be painted.
• What Siding Manufacturer Will You Choose? – Not only do the different types of siding come in a variety of colors, but the various manufacturers offer unique choices as well. You will find many popular colors available from most of the major brands, but each tone may be slightly different and certain companies have unique offerings.

The Importance of Color Schemes

There will be one main color that forms the foundation of your Virginia siding. This tends to be a neutral color that is not too overpowering and suits the architecture of your home. Be sure to choose the main color wisely – a bold hue will draw attention away from the details and shape of your home’s architecture. Strive for a balance between an attractive color and a suitable foundation to showcase the beauty of your home.

The overall color scheme of your neighborhood should also be taken into account. If most of the homes around you have natural hues and earth tones, try to steer clear of bright primary colors. You certainly want your home to stand out, but not so much that it is considered the sore thumb on your block.

Consider how the color scheme meshes with the style of your home as well. Southwest ranch styles look best with earthy colors in the brown and tan range, while colonial homes can pull off pastels with ease. If your home is not a distinct style you may have more flexibility, but otherwise it is best for the siding color to pay homage to the design.

Choosing the Trim

Trim work and detailing can make all the difference to the appearance of your home. Choose the color and style of trim that will compliment the main siding color. Often a tone-on-tone color scheme looks stylish and can draw more attention to the shapes and slopes of the house. Contrasting trim colors make a bold statement and often look better on a larger home with fairly plain styling.

Don’t forget that the color of your shutters and doors needs to match well with the color scheme woven by the siding and trim. Be mindful of how everything looks together and be sure to consider samples at different times of day. That brown siding color you love may look much darker in the twilight or much lighter in the morning. Keep the samples out for a few days before making your final choice.

The color of your Virginia siding will help to create the overall appearance and curb appeal of your property. Consider all of your options and make wise decisions. After all, the face of your home will have a major effect on the value.

Homeowners value the services of home improvement contractors that are qualified. But more often than not, the overall cost of these services is what carries the most influence. When it comes to Northern Virginia siding projects, finding an installer with the experience, skills and competitive price is most important. How can you find these companies?

Experience Matters

There are many steps involved with siding installation. On new builds the process is fairly simple, but a replacement or repair project may be a different story. The very best Northern Virginia siding installers also have experience in the removal of worn or damaged siding.

This job involves a certain type of demolition, but qualified contractors will know how to remove the old siding without damaging the structure or framing underneath. They should also be knowledgeable enough to judge the condition of that structural layer. In certain circumstances a replacement siding job will require the framing or insulation to be upgraded before the new siding is installed.

Choosing the Optimum Material

An experienced siding contractor will also be able to recommend which types of siding materials are best suited for your home. This is often based on the climate and exposure of your home, but the design and size of your home (as well as the budget) are factors in this decision as well.

Ask an established contractor for recommendations on the best type and brand of siding. Working with a variety of brands and styles will have given these professionals in-depth insight that is valuable for your situation. Utilize it however possible.

Don’t Be the Testing Ground

Hiring a freshly established contractor with a low hourly rate may be tempting, but often your home will end up suffering. New companies often have a lot to learn about the industry and you don’t want your home to be the testing ground.

That being said, it is often the experience of the individual installers that matters more than the length of time the company has been open. If the firm hires new staff every year it offers the same risk of amateur errors and botched jobs. Look for a contractor with an established reputation and experienced, career installers. This combination offers you the safest, more professional job.

Where to Look

You can start your search with directories and online listings, but it is the word of mouth referrals that often carry the most weight. If you are new in town, those referrals may come from building associations and real estate professionals. Otherwise it is wise to ask your local friends, family members and neighbors which companies they have had a good experience with. Don’t forget to note the contractors to stay away from.

Get more than one quotation and compare the quality of service, warranties and costs before making your choice. Remember to ask for a list of current references and visit the jobsites. Getting a close look at the work of each contractor will reveal clues as to how thorough and meticulous their installers are.

If the overall cost is more than you expected, consider this – a Northern Virginia siding project is a long term investment, adding protection and beauty to your home for years to come. When you measure the cost over the life of the project it may help you to gain a better perspective.

Creating a positive first impression is one of the aspects to consider when choosing a material for your Northern Virginia siding. Wood is warm and full of character, while vinyl provides a virtually maintenance free finish. There is another product that actually captures the benefits of both – fiber cement siding is an impressive option that will create the look you want while delivering the durability and quality you need.

The Facts About Fiber Cement Siding

This material is made from a mixture of sand and cement with cellulose fibers included. All of these items are combined using a process called autoclaving (steam curing done at high temperatures), which serves to provide the strength and consistency required for an exterior siding product.

Layering this mixture to the desired thickness produces fiber cement siding in a wide variety of shapes, profiles and even colors. With the cellulose fibers included there is very little cracking and wood grain textures are added afterward with a high-pressure mold or by imprinting.

With all of the options available in fiber cement you are sure to find a siding style that suits your tastes. From horizontal panels resembling beaded siding, Dutch style or the more traditional shiplap to vertical Northern Virginia siding and preformed shingles in regular and irregular shapes, fiber cement manufacturers have a broad selection. Another very popular and distinctive style is the stucco-look, constructed completely of fiber cement panels. Both the main sections and the battens are fiber cement, as well as any soffit, creating an architectural design that is stunning, low maintenance and full of character.


A Few of the Benefits

The vast selection available in this material is certainly an advantage, but the product itself also offers benefits that homeowners and contractors can appreciate. Fiber cement siding:

• Is manufactured to rigorous standards providing nearly unmatched dimensional stability.
• Will not fade, warp or buckle as vinyl is prone to do.
• Comes with a Class A (or Class 1) fire rating.
• Is highly durable, withstanding weather, bumps and heavier impacts for a long-lasting, beautiful finish.
• Has quality pre-finished paint options that will last from 25 to 50 years without a recoat required.
• Approved for installation on historic homes and buildings covered by preservation guidelines.

Choose the Manufacturer Wisely

In the same way you would with other exterior siding options, it is important to choose the fiber cement manufacturer wisely. Certain brands have been in the industry for years and offer solid warranties, reasonable prices and consistent quality. Others that are newly entering this hot marketplace may not be the best choice, despite introductory prices and an even broader selection of colors and profiles. Although technology often helps in the building industry, until a manufacturer is proven and established you are best to steer clear.

Fiber cement is an excellent option for your Northern Virginia siding project. With a variety of profiles and appearances available, as well as durability and strength that meets and exceeds that of wood siding, this material is gaining in popularity. Look for it on homes in your neighborhood and consider fiber cement siding for your own new build or renovation.

You are proud of your home and for good reason. It is the place where you rest, relax and really live. This building deserves to be finished in a way that reflects your personality and tastes, while also catering to your lifestyle and schedule. Siding materials like vinyl may offer a low maintenance solution, but will they create the charm and warmth you want from your home? Consider using Western Red Cedar for your Virginia siding project and discover the incredible benefits of this naturally durable and unbelievably beautiful product.

Incredible Appearance

There is nothing quite like the look of real cedar - imitations may be flattering, but can’t capture the same texture, color and finish of genuine cedar siding. Each tree actually has a unique tone and coloring, which means your home will boast a one-of-a-kind finish. You can leave the siding to weather naturally to a silver patina or plan on your choice of finish to create a completely different face on your home. Because cedar has very little pitch and resin, stains, oils and paint are easily applied and provide long lasting, even coverage.

Wood siding is often imitated because of the traditional charm it delivers. Whether you opt for tongue & groove, shiplap siding or any other style your Virginia siding contractor recommends, you can count on a look that is truly distinct and always appealing.

Eco Friendliness

Today’s families are concerned about their environmental impact. Western Red Cedar is an excellent choice in terms of sustainability and eco friendliness, for a number of reasons. Cedar is a renewable resource and genuine siding products are sourced in a sustainable manner.

Statistics show that each cedar tree harvested is utilized completely - 95 percent of the tree is used for products, while the remaining 5 percent is left on the forest floor to decompose and act as a natural fertilizer, mulch and wildlife habitat. There is an abundance of information regarding the environmental impact of vinyl siding, fiber cement products and aluminum lines. Western Red Cedar siding comes in far ahead of any of those in terms of being environmentally and future friendly.

Natural Strength

You can stain or paint cedar siding to alter the appearance, but the wood also contains a natural preservative that helps to deter pests and rot from damaging your home. Unlike pine or spruce timber, cedar does not need to be treated in order to be weather resistant. Genuine cedar siding products will last for decades without a problem, providing a beautiful finish on your home.

Wood siding also has acoustical properties that will help to contain noise, creating a quieter, more peaceful setting inside your home. It has natural strength and will not split, crack, warp or bend like other timber products will. Industry experts claim that cedar boasts twice the stability of commonly found softwoods due the low density of the timber. It also shrinks much less, which means fewer cracks and splits and flatter, straighter siding even in the harshest climates.

You have many options to choose from for your Virginia siding project. But if you’re looking for a beautiful, durable and natural product, Western Red Cedar siding may be the perfect option. Talk to your contractor today and consider the benefits this products offers.