Home Remodeling & Construction Blog

Many homeowners wonder if it is possible to have the charm and appearance of wood without the maintenance. They also appreciate the texture of wood siding, but don’t want the hassle of having to paint it year after year. Are there options for your Virginia siding project that provide the beauty and form you’re looking in a vinyl siding product?

You may be surprised to find out just how many choices there are.

How Can Vinyl Look Like Wood?

Wood is distinct due to its natural color and rich texture. Vinyl, on the other hand, is often void of texture and comes in a glossy finish. It is available in a wide variety of colors that can easily mimic the natural tone of wood, but this alone will not create the appearance you want.

Vinyl siding manufacturers are now offering lines that include different wood grain textures and a matte or low gloss finish. This will eliminate the glare and shine that is associated with traditional vinyl and provide a more authentic wood appearance.

Which Types of Wood Siding Are Being Imitated?

There are various types of wood siding being used today – from beaded planks to shiplap and log walls. Basic styles are available from a wide assortment of manufacturers and you can even find more specialized styles from a few established brands.

Shiplap siding is the most traditional form of vertical siding on the market and easily imitated by vinyl products. Besides color and texture, the key element to produce a genuine look is the profile. True wood siding products have a deep profile and the most advanced vinyl lines mimic this. Profiles on vinyl siding produce shadows and a certain character on the exterior of your home, much like genuine wood siding does. But even with the texture, low gloss finish and profiles, vinyl siding is virtually maintenance free.

You can even find vinyl products to use on your Virginia siding project that will create the appearance of a log home. This style is certainly distinct and will provide the rustic charm of a log cabin (along with the ability to insulate well) without the traditional maintenance.

Benefits of Vinyl Over Wood

It will depend on your tastes, but vinyl does provide a number of benefits over wood for your Virginia siding project. Vinyl is extremely durable and resistant to extreme weather conditions. It is also easily cleaned up with water and will not require any staining or additional protection.

You may also find that vinyl products are less expensive than wood options, but it will depend on the brand you choose. Installation is quick and easy with vinyl, requiring less handling than wood which may result in a lower labor cost. Again, each job will be different and the specifications, trim and installation conditions will determine the exact price.

If you are longing for the look of wood siding yet require the low maintenance features of vinyl, ask your Virginia siding retailer what options are available. With low gloss finishes and natural colors, as well as deep profiles and the texture of wood, today’s products combine the best of both worlds. Capture the reliability of vinyl with the charm of wood in your choice of siding products, available at quality retailers today.

New builds in Virginia, home additions and major renovations will require exterior siding to be complete. You have a few different choices when it comes to Virginia siding, but for many homeowners it will come down to the two most popular – vinyl or brick. Both of the options have benefits and drawbacks that can leave the homeowners confused and undecided. Have a look at each type to help you see which is best for your home.

Vinyl Siding For Your Virginia House

Lending a certain Colonial charm to the neighborhood, vinyl sided homes are also low maintenance and durable. Vinyl presents a clean face on your home and will retain its color and attractive appearance for decades without any more than a hose down once or twice a year.

Today’s vinyl products are injected with color so that even scratches and gouges will not overly mar the finish. It provides excellent protection against moisture and heat, although it may have difficulty holding out against high winds and strong storms after a time.

Vinyl siding is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. It is also flexible and works well in gables and other odd shapes on the facade of your home. There are a wide variety of colors available and matching or complimentary color schemes can be easily found through a number of reputable suppliers.

When repairs to your Virginia siding are necessary it is advantageous to have a vinyl product installed. Components and parts are affordable and repairs are fast and simple, for the most part. When compared to the finicky repairs necessary on brick siding, replacements and renovations to vinyl sided homes are more straightforward and worry-free.

Brick Siding For Your Virginia Home

We know the story of the Three Little Pigs and how the brick house saved the piglets from the Big Bad Wolf. In the same way many homeowners feel safer and more secure behind brick siding. There is a sense of solidity that may be missing from a house finished with vinyl siding, although brick can be just as vulnerable when disaster strikes. In fact, many home insurance policies will not cover masonry damage should an earthquake or other natural disaster damage your brick siding.

Brick cuts down on street noise significantly, creating a quieter, more peaceful home inside. Installed along with the proper insulation and airtight seals, brick walls help to create an energy efficient home that will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The same can be said for vinyl siding, however. It depends more on the quality of insulation and the construction techniques used behind the siding.

Brick is more expensive than vinyl, both for the product itself and the labor to install. Repairs are costlier as well, although brick is very durable and will be maintenance free for at least a few decades. After that point you will likely need to repoint the bricks to fix up deteriorating mortar.

When you are building a new home or putting on an addition your choice of Virginia siding is likely to come down to brick or vinyl. Consider using a combination of the two to enjoy all of the benefits and control the construction costs. If you would rather one over the other, rest assured that both are excellent choices to create an attractive and low maintenance exterior home finish.

Nasty and even disastrous weather conditions have been felt across the country this spring. High winds and heavy rain are bound to cause damage to the exterior finish on homes and repairs are often necessary. Both the product that you choose and the steps of installation taken will help you make the most of your Virginia siding replacement.

Under It All

Vinyl siding is commonly seen on homes both large and small. And although this product is an excellent choice for durability and appearance, it is the underlayment that makes the most difference to the comfort level inside your home. Good quality underlayment will increase the R-value of the exterior finish, providing better insulation against heat loss and reducing your utility bills. Also, the strength of the underlayment will be an effective barrier against wetness caused by rain, sleet and snow.

The stability of the material installed underneath your vinyl siding allows for a stronger hold. When the fasteners have something substantial to grip they are more resistant to the forces of wind and rain that accompany heavy storms. Hurricanes and tornadoes are the ultimate test, but using the strongest underlayment available best protects your family.

Installing a thicker underlayment can also reduce the noise levels on the interior of your home. If you live in a high traffic area or find that noise upsets your sleep patterns, be sure to ask for a layer of thick foam board or rigid foam insulation. This will help to absorb the sound from outside and create a more peaceful, quiet atmosphere inside the house.

Maintenance Matters

Consider maintenance requirements when it’s time to replace your Virginia siding. Steer clear of products that require frequent attention and have a closer look at those that provide a worry-free finish. Vinyl siding is an excellent alternative that will never rot and can be cleaned to a shine with simple soap and water. This material is also available in many different styles and colors to provide a beautiful finish on your home.

Other styles of siding require more work to ensure durability and a clean, attractive look. Wood siding is a good choice for energy efficiency and creating a charming appearance, but this material will need regular staining or painting to remain durable. The weight of wood siding may help to reduce future wind damage and targeted replacement is simple with this material, but vinyl is still a much better choice for maintenance.

Quality Brands

Ensure that the brand of siding you choose will provide a durable, long lasting finish. Certain inexpensive vinyl product lines do not contain enough pure vinyl to resist cracking even in normal weather conditions. And these cheaper lines are also prone to fading due to the use of a lower quality coloring agent. Look at the overall value of a product before deciding and remember to consider this replacement project an investment in your home. Good quality is designed to last, meaning money will be saved in the long run.

If the recent wild weather has left your exterior home finish damaged call a professional siding installer to find out the best options for a Virginia siding replacement. High quality, low maintenance products installed with a strong, stable underlayment is your optimum choice.

It only makes sense that homeowners want to save money on their heating and cooling bills. You also want to be comfortable inside your home at all times of the year. When it comes to replacing the siding on your Virginia home, does this choice matter to overall energy efficiency? It’s important to consider which type of Virginia siding best suits your tastes, but don’t discount the properties that are unique to each type.

Outlining Siding Options

Maybe you are planning to replace only a portion of the siding, in which case you will need to go with a similar product (or at least one that compliments the existing siding well). But when you are investing in a complete replacement or tackling an addition the options are wide open.

You could install vinyl siding, a popular and affordable alternative that also boasts the benefits of being low maintenance and long lasting. But vinyl likely has the least insulation value of all siding types. Make sure that you are installing this product onto a stable flat surface that has been properly covered in house wrap.  Without a solid wrap against the effects and infiltration of wind, rain, snow and sleet your home will be inefficient and at risk of serious damage. Mold, mildew and other water damage are a result of contractors and DIY enthusiasts that have skipped this step. Plywood or other sheathing products must have a solid wrap free from tears, rips and other gaps in order to maintain efficiency.

Other options include natural wood siding and fiber cement board. Both present a distinct appearance and carry a much higher price tag than vinyl. Wood and fiber cement (a mixture of wood fibers and cement dust made to resemble wood with less maintenance required) will offer a higher insulation value for your home, but only when installed and maintained correctly.

Professional Installers

One of the most important factors for ensuring energy efficiency is the installation of your Virginia siding. A trained professional will be able to measure and prepare the materials properly, install them with care and include all of the finishing touches that make your home tight and efficient. Gaps, cracks and holes in the siding will create drafts and cut down on the comfort level inside – increasing your heating and cooling costs considerably. When you are investing in a project it pays to make sure it is done right and a professional will help you get there.

This is especially true when dealing with fiber cement siding. Dangerous and difficult to handle due to the composition of the product, fiber cement siding is not recommended for a DIY job. Wood siding is simple to handle, but when gables, dormers, trim and corners are involved even simple wood siding layouts can get the best of you. Hiring a pro will save you time and ensure a top quality finish backed by a service warranty.

Although you want it to look good, Virginia siding also has an impact on the level of energy efficiency in your home. Be sure to choose the best product, install house wrap underneath and call on the services of a pro to seal up your home in the best possible way.