exterior: Articles tagged with “exterior”

This information can clarify and help answer some questions about wood shingle siding.

Siding problems: Cracks and holes in your siding will allow moisture and pests to get in. You should always make sure that the underlying problem is fixed before you repair the siding; otherwise the problem may crop up again later.

No matter whether a home has wood, stucco, brick or stone siding, the fascia, soffits and trim around doors and windows have traditionally been made of wood. Wood, of course, needs regular maintenance and repainting. Even for a house with wood siding, maintaining the wood trim has always been the most labor intensive and costly part of any exterior paint job. If not maintained well, exposed wood can deteriorate, warp, and may need extensive sanding before repainting or replacement.

The following information can clarify and help answer some questions about stucco.

Trim: If your home is already built, when you have the siding job done, make sure you have all the trim done as well. Most of your painting expense is in the trim, so failing to cover it will mean your painting costs won't go down by much. Also, ask your contractor about adding more wall insulation along with the siding.

Q: I am interested in putting siding around the trim and eves of my house and would like information on what I should look for in getting quality siding.

Wood shingles with their long-lasting durability are a popular choice for siding. They lend themselves to both traditional and contemporary architecture.

Q: I need to replace both a redwood deck and a rotten exterior wood panel. What is the most durable material to use for both projects?

Q: What is the difference between D4.5 and D5 vinyl? Also what does Consumer Reports say is the best vinyl to use?

This information can clarify and help answer some questions about repairing wood shingle siding.

Q: I have lived in my 2000 sq-ft home since it was built in 1992 in Seattle. Unfortunately, it was built with 4' by 8' panels of Louisiana-Pacific Inner-Seal siding and I just found out about the litigation early this year. I'd like to take care of the problem by installing vinyl siding. I have several bids ranging from $13K to $19K. All suggest to install new vinyl over LP. I am a little concerned with this process because I don't know if it would take care the problem and I don't want to deal with LP in the future. Does the price range seem reasonable for this type of job? Would it take care of the mold in the LP? Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Q: I am putting up white pine novelty siding and I am not sure what kind of nails to use and how it should look. Should the nails be set in or on the surface? The siding is going over sheathing with Tyvek and 1/2 inch cellutex. Thank you for your time.

Wood sidings are milled in various patterns for both horizontal and vertical application. Wood siding is usually, but not always, applied over solid sheathing and a layer of building paper. Horizontal patterns are nailed through sheathing into studs; vertical patterns generally are nailed to horizontal nailing or furring strips. Horizontal sidings are always applied so that each board overlaps the one below it; in some cases, the edges are milled to interlock, as they are with all vertical patterns.

Wood sidings are milled in various patterns for both horizontal and vertical application. Wood siding is usually, but not always, applied over solid sheathing and a layer of building paper.

Vinyl siding looks similar to horizontal wood siding but doesn't require as much maintenance. Vinyl siding systems can be applied right over old siding but are easier to apply over solid sheathing. It doesn't rust or corrode but vinyl, which is actually polyvinyl chloride (PVC), does become more brittle as it gets older.

Aluminum and steel siding systems look similar to horizontal wood siding but don't require as much maintenance over time. These systems can be applied right over old siding but are easier to apply over solid sheathing.

Q: I am trying to locate steel siding. Six years ago half of my house was sided by ABC seamless steel siding, now I can't find them to finish the job.

Q: After about two years, the wood siding of my home started buckling and checkering. It is now nine years later, the contractor has gone bankrupt, the Contractor's Licensing Board cannot help, my homeowner's insurance won't cover replacing over half of the siding, and I don't know how to tell who the manufacturer was.

My specification list from the contractor says "plylap." However, I had a siding contractor come and look at it and he said it wasn't plylap. What should I do next? I can't afford the cost of this repair. Also, it is a Victorian style house so stucco is not an option.

Q: We have decided to have our existing wood board home sided. I'm confused about the differences in vinyl siding and aluminum siding.

Q: I'm in the process of putting new siding up on my house and don't know much about it. The hardwood siding I have now is from Masonite and is one of the defective brands covered for replacement by a class action lawsuit. Can you tell me the pros and cons of vinyl, aluminum or even wood siding? And do I want to remove the old siding or just put the new siding right over it? Any ideas on what each will cost? Masonite has offered us a settlement of $6,600 for 1,750 sq. feet and I don't know if that's enough or if we should try for more. Your help is greatly appreciated.