Handy Exterior Remodeling Blog

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?

One of the most important elements protecting everything within your home is the siding. Sure, it’s not the most exciting home renovation project to think about, but it’s vitally important, especially considering siding has a life span that will vary depending on what it has been through.

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?

With all the horror stories about construction projects that go wrong because something the contractor did, it’s no wonder that homeowners become so stressed out when it comes time to bring in a contractor to do the job right, on time and for a fair price.

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?

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.

From scorching summer sun and howling debris-filled winds to winter weather abuse, eventually your siding is going to require cleaning. And while modern siding is durable, whether it is vinyl, cedar, wood or fiber cement, nothing can stop it from becoming dingy, especially after years of exposure to the elements.

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.

Siding is among the most important features on a home’s exterior in terms of aesthetics and protection. However, there are a number of siding materials from which to choose, including vinyl, fiber cement and cedar. Which is best for your home? Let’s run through each of these siding types and find out what makes them unique.

Replacing siding is one of the most impactful home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake. However, with so many choices of siding on the marketing today, and from so many vendors, the project can be intimidating and difficult to plan. However, a smart place to start is vinyl siding. It is among the most used siding materials, and there are many reason for that.