How to Buy Siding

With so many types of siding available for your new house or addition, you'll want to shop around and make your selection based on budget, design and maintenance considerations.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vinyl Siding
• Wood Siding
• Measuring Tapes
• Aluminum Siding
• Pencils
• Pencils
• Spiral Notebooks
• Pencils

1. Calculate the square footage of the area to be sided.

2. Consider what type of siding you want to install. Aluminum and vinyl are the least expensive options and have the added bonus of low maintenance. Wood clapboard and shakes are considered to be more upscale materials; however, they're more expensive and require ongoing maintenance, particularly if painted instead of stained.

3. Look at home design magazines and houses to get some idea of what type of material you like. You can also go to your local home center to look at the siding materials, but it's difficult to visualize the raw material on your house.

4. Get prices from several suppliers and/or home centers for the type of siding you've selected.

5. Consider the different quality levels offered by each supplier. Higher-quality wood siding will be made from choice wood, with few knots. Better vinyl siding will be heavier and have a better (and less "artificial") appearance. Ask about the differences between each quality level and the warranties offered.

6. Consult with your siding installer before finalizing the purchase. Confirm the quantity required for the job and make sure that the contractor you work with has experience with this type of siding.

7. Order the required amount of your chosen material.

Tips & Warnings

• You may purchase your siding through the installer (especially with the larger vinyl and aluminum siding companies). Nevertheless, you should go through the selection and shopping process to ensure that you pick the material you want.
• Siding is generally measured and sold by the "square," which equals 100 square feet. Siding material varies enormously in price, typically ranging from $60 to $200 per square.
• Vinyl siding has largely replaced aluminum siding in many areas of the country.
• Remember that vinyl and aluminum siding lock you into a color, whereas wood siding can be repainted.

[abranger]

on 9/23/2007 A couple of things with vinyl siding. First, after you measure your square footage, add 20% or you will probably be going back to the dealer for more siding. This is important with vinyl siding because there may be subtle differences in color between lots so be sure you purchase your material from the same lot number and ask your dealer if you can return individual full lengths of siding when you are done. Second, you will need accessories which will increase your cost especially if you have lots of windows, doors and corners. Items such as outside corner posts, inside corner posts, J channel, Frieze mold, undersill trim, and starter strip are necessary basics.

[harebaugh]

on 3/10/2007 Try http://www.sidinghouston.com or http://www.ctsexterior.com for info on hiring a siding contractor in Houston

on 1/30/2006 Talk to someone in the industry who is non biased to product or contractors. For example, I work for a distributor. We carry every kind of product for exterior renovation. We are not told to sell a specific brand, just sell. After a while you learn which contractor try to burn people and which do not. Plus, which pay their bills, and the ones who do not. Those two traits are good indicators of what a contractor or company is like. Depending on what you plan to do with your house; eg; fix and sell or retire in, I can guide you in the right direction with regards to product and honest contractors.

on 11/22/2005 In searching for the best option on vinyl siding for my doublewide mobile home, I have been quoted everything from $1,500 for materials and labor by a kid I know who hangs siding for a contractor to $4,500 by a contractor that had his office next to mine to $7,900 by Sears. My advice is to shop around!

on 11/22/2005 Now you can paint your vinyl or aluminum siding. Duron Paints carry this special paint - they say it is 60% cheaper.