Siding FAQs: Signs You Need Replacement Siding, Siding Benefits, Siding Types, and More

Answering 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Siding

Webfoot Painting understands that when it comes to siding, you’ve got questions. And why wouldn’t you? Siding plays a huge part in making sure you have a home that not only meets your aesthetic dreams but is also protected for years to come. We pulled together a list of the most commonly asked questions homeowners have when it comes to siding:

1. How do I know I need to replace my home’s siding?
2. What’s the process for a siding installation project? 
3. What are my siding options? And, what’s the best type of siding? 
4. Will I have to do anything to maintain my new siding?
5. What are the benefits of having quality siding? 
6. What’s the cost to re-side my home?
7. Why should I hire Webfoot Painting to do a siding project? 

1. How do I know I need to replace my home’s siding?

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Chances are you are not an expert on your home’s exterior, but that’s okay! You don’t need to be an expert, because Webfoot is. If it’s not obvious to you that your home needs new siding, then there are two easy factors that help you decide if it’s time to invest in a little home improvement. 

First, ask yourself how old your existing siding is. If your current siding is 25-30 years old, then it’s most likely at the end of its life cycle. Very old siding often needs to be replaced or at the least could use some repairs. 

Second, check out the condition of your siding. Inspect your existing siding for signs of damage like hairline cracks, warping and separation, dents and pits, peeling, and decay. The damage that will occur to your siding is unique to your home’s enviroment. Southern and western facing walls are more prone to sun exposure than others and you’ll see elements breakdown on these walls differently. If your siding is in poor condition and your home was built in the 90s, it’s likely that you have deteriorating Louisiana-Pacific Inner-Seal Siding. 

Your siding replacement project will be tailored to meet your home’s needs.

2. What’s the process for a siding installation project? 

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Once you’ve decided that it’s time to invest in a refresh for your exterior siding and given us a call to kick-off your project, we’ll work our way through six key steps that make up a siding project:

1. An initial home inspection. When you request an estimate, we’ll set up a time for a professional estimator to visit your home. We’ll conduct a comprehensive home inspection to determine the current condition of your siding. We’ll identify what needs to be replaced and what can be repaired.
2. The demolition phase. We’ll remove the old siding that is too damaged to be salvaged. Demolition varies based on the home. For smaller spaces like soffits and fascias, we’ll have to go more slowly. Throughout demolition, we’ll pay careful attention to the surrounding area, like your favorite flower beds or other existing vegetation. If you’ve got a lot of space around your home, we can take those siding panels down a bit faster. 
3. A look at what’s underneath. Once we’ve removed the existing siding, it’s important that we take a look at what we’re working with. We want to check that your home is prepared for the new siding before installation, such as having an existing house wrap.
4. Completing preparations. The last stage before installation includes cleaning up the site in preparation for installation. 
5. The installation! With all of the previous steps complete, it’s time to install your new siding. Once your siding is installed, it's then ready for paint or stain, if needed. 

3. What are my siding options? And, what’s the best type of siding?

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There are tons of house siding options to choose from with benefits that range from siding cost to curb appeal. Popular options include vinyl siding, wood siding, brick siding, fiber cement siding, and stone veneer. All of these options break down into the three following categories:

1. Natural wood siding. Natural wood siding will be your most expensive option and also require the most maintenance over time. However, it has the benefit of improving your home’s curb appeal and value. Natural wood grain looks great and brings a lot of texture to your home’s exterior. 
2. Cement-based composite siding. Cementitious siding is your middle-of-the-road cost option. This category includes products like the James Hardie hardieplank lap siding, which Webfoot recommends. Cement-based sidings are very heavy and slower to work with. However, they hold paint well over time without chipping or peeling and are very low maintenance. Their heaviness also improves their durability! They are fire resistant and great at protecting your home for a good, long time. 
3. Wood-based composite siding. This includes engineered wood siding like the new generation LP SmartSide siding, which has 20+ years of success! Wood-based composite siding holds paints well, and has the look of wood at a lower cost point than natural wood siding. This type of siding will cost you the least out of the three categories. 

When it comes to protecting your siding over time, we also recommend that you look into the manufacturer warranty for your chosen siding. Siding 101 with Webfoot offers further information on types of siding and their various pros and cons.

4. Will I have to do anything to maintain my new siding?

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Now that you’ve replaced your siding, how do you protect it and make it last long-term? There are various forms of protection for your siding dependent on the type of siding you choose. For unfinished siding, you’ll want to paint or stain your siding after installation to protect it from the elements. For finished composite sidings, the protection of a coating is already built-in. 

How frequently you have to re-finish siding depends on the siding you chose and the amount of exposure. For example, a semi-transparatent finish on natural wood siding will need to be maintained more regularly. In contrast, a coated composite siding will require less regular maintenance.

If you’re choosing a quality siding product with the right protection, it should last you 30-40 years — meaning you probably won’t have to replace the siding on your home again. The most important thing you can do to get the most life out of your siding is to keep up with the maintenance needed for your chosen type of siding. 

5. What are the benefits of having quality siding?

Money invested in siding repair and replacement is money put towards your home’s value and integrity. When you choose a quality siding product and invest in professional installation, it provides long-term protection which contributes to your home’s value over time. Siding is responsible for protecting the stability and durability of your home; it protects your home’s frame, walls, and your roof. Specifically, siding offers benefits like resistance to fire, moisture, pests, and climate. 

Imagine your siding like a big safety blanket over your home that protects it from the wear and tear of the surrounding environment. You don’t want to leave your home without a good blanket, do you? 

6. What’s the cost to re-side my home?

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Like every other aspect of a siding project, the cost varies based on unique aspects of your home. But Webfoot can make it easy for you. When you schedule a free estimate, we’ll send a professional estimator to your home who will breakdown the costs to you clearly. Our estimator will do a home inspection and make recommendations about what existing siding can be salvaged, and what will need to be replaced. The estimator is there to answer any questions you may have about our product, process, or cost. 

When we price a siding project, we talk about the cost in squares. A square of siding is about 100 square feet of coverage. The range for the cost per square of siding is $1,000-5,000/square. 

7. Why should I hire Webfoot Painting to do a siding project? 

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So, why should you hire a bunch of painters to do your home’s siding? Good question. Actually, you should hire us because we’re painters. Unlike other siding contractors, we’re fully equipped to provide a comprehensive look at your home! We can identify where your existing siding can be repaired and painted with an elastomeric primer, which saves you the cost of a full replacement. And, we can provide a professional opinion on the best finishing coats to give your choice of siding long-term protection. 

We also have dedicated crews that are all siding, all the time, so you can know that you are getting experienced professionals for your job. When compared to other contractors or the DIY alternative, Webfoot offers expertise and experience that you just won’t find elsewhere — especially at a box store (sorry Home Depot and Lowe’s). 

Our full-time carpenters will handle all your exterior siding needs with the same level of service you've come to know with our painting projects. 

Call us with all your home siding questions and get a free quote today!