Handy Exterior Remodeling Blog

Siding on a home plays a huge role, as it can enhance or detract from the overall appearance of the house, but it also protects the home, its occupants and possessions. When the time comes to have your siding replaced, you are sure to have many questions that need to be answered so you know how to choose the best siding for your house.

Argh – the decisions that have to be made when taking on a residing project! What material should it be made of – vinyl, wood or fiber cement? What size and shape should it be? And most important of all – what siding color do you choose? Now there is one more question to ask – do you choose vertical or horizontal siding?

One of the first things homeowners think of when it comes time to replace their siding is color. There are definitely other aspects of a siding replacement project that are important, such as the type of siding and finding the right contractor to install it, but for homeowners looking for a specific aesthetic or to blend in with the surrounding homes or to stand out, color is the focal point.

At VIS Exterior, we get a lot of questions from customers about which type of siding they should have installed on their homes. The answer from us is always James Hardie or LP SmartSide siding. Why, you might ask?

Siding serves as a critical shield for your home, safeguarding it against the elements and maintaining its structural integrity. As the initial defense against sun, snow, and harsh weather, siding plays a pivotal role in preserving your residence. The deterioration of siding can significantly impact your roof's functionality and even curtail its longevity. Repairing or replacing the siding of your house stands as a fundamental aspect of roof restoration, contributing substantially to the overall robustness of the roofing structure.

Homeowners spend a pretty penny on the interior of their homes. From redecorating to renovating entire rooms, much thought is put into what goes on inside our homes. What about the exterior? Is it time for a facelift to gain more curb appeal? And if so, when is the best time of year for installing new siding?

We’ve all got our ideas about what a “perfect” home is. Even people who are seemingly cut from the same clothe will have wildly different designs for their new home or a home remodel. Fortunately, James Hardie products come in a variety of styles, colors and patterns, giving homeowners the ability to bring quality products into their designs.

As proud homeowners, we do everything we can to keep our property as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Unfortunately, our vinyl siding will fade after years of exposure to the elements. At this point we’re faced with a situation: do we replace the siding or should we paint it?

From the very onset of a siding installation project, the most important question to ponder is, “how to choose the best siding contractor?” Where you need to look first is to a local siding company, as a nearby contractor is more accountable for their work, will show up if you run into problems and they are likely staffed by people who live in the same community.

Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, is a movement that began in 1970 and has continued to be an important calendar date going on five decades. Though the subject of climate change and “going green” has proven politically divisive, most homeowners can agree that Earth Day is an excellent excuse to take a little time to make environmental improvement in and around the home. The upside, apart from doing something great for the environment, is that you can also improve your living situation.

As the seasons take their toll, subjecting your siding to the scorching heat of summer and the battering winds of debris-filled storms, the need for periodic cleaning becomes inevitable. Whether your siding is crafted from resilient materials like vinyl, cedar, wood, or fiber cement, the accumulated effects of exposure to the elements can lead to a dingy appearance over time. To restore the luster of your home's exterior, regular cleaning is key.

When most people think of home improvement projects, they focus on upgrades like granite countertops, updated bathrooms with walk-in showers and fancy tile, and improved living rooms with top-notch electronics. However, do these projects offer a really great return on investment? While these might catch the eye of potential buyers, the real value is in projects involving roofing, siding, gutters, windows and doors.

As a Midwesterner, you have seen your share of hailstorms, and so has your roof and siding. You might also have an idea of how to spot hail damage. Unfortunately, not all damage can be seen from the ground, or even on the roof if you don’t know what to look for. At VIS Exterior, we know how to spot hail damage on a roof and on siding, because it’s something we’ve been doing for two decades.