Photo by Christa Buchanan Vinyl siding now comes in many decorative designs, like these different scalloped pieces that are often used to accent more traditional slab siding.

New choices in vinyl siding
make for fresh new looks

By Christa Buchanan
C & G Staff Writer

Nothing so drastically changes a home’s outward appearance as new siding.

It can make an old home look new, completely change a home’s style, and oftentimes, decrease a home’s overall maintenance while simultaneously protecting the home’s structure from the elements. 

There are a number of things to consider when looking into new siding, said Jim Bartoletti, a project manager with Allstate Construction in Troy: “No. 1 is aesthetics — what do they like; No. 2 is what can they afford; and No. 3 is energy savings.

“In this economy, however, the two main variables are people’s taste and how much they initially want to invest. Cost-wise, you have to consider both the cost of materials and ownership, maintenance,” Bartoletti said. “You have to look at the entire building from a holistic point of view: Wood costs the least amount to install, but in the long run it needs the most maintenance.”

Of the numerous types of siding available — wood, aluminum, engineered wood, masonry and stone veneers, and vinyl, among others — the local experts say that vinyl is still tops when it comes to price, maintenance, and now, with new technology, even looks.

“Vinyl siding, as a product, has really stepped up to the plate. It’s gotten so much better over the years,” said Bill Vernenge, owner of Siding Unlimited in Macomb. “In its first conception, it had more plastic in it than vinyl, and there was a problem with retaining color. … Then, the manufacturers began to add acrylic to the mix, therefore, allowing for much darker, deeper colors that don’t fade.”

New technology has also made it possible to replicate the materials traditionally used to build homes, from cedar shake, wood slabs and faux brick or stone to decorative trim, and scallop and fish scale accents that complete the look.

“With all the new options available, you can literally replicate any type of look on a home, give it a classic look,” said Dominic Coschino, a sales representative with Classic Window and Siding in St. Clair Shores.

“There are so many different looks and styles available that didn’t exist 15 years ago. There’s the shingles; the Dutch slab style, which gives the look of early 1900s-type wood; and then, the lap board with the double slabs. The different shapes, like the fish scale look, can be used for accents, like on a peak; the Nailite looks just like stone, with different textures, colors and sizes of the actual slabs,” Coschino said.

Vinyl siding is virtually maintenance-free, now comes with attached insulation for easier installation and improved energy efficiency, and often comes with a warranty for up to 30 years.

“The vinyls that are out now really don’t have any maintenance.  The rain typically takes care of keeping it clean, but if you have a lot of trees or spiders, you might have to hose it down. That’s what made it so popular in the first place,” Bartoletti said.

With less maintenance comes less worry.

“Once it’s installed, you really don’t have to worry about it. There’s virtually no maintenance: no sanding, no caulking, no re-painting, no staining,” Coschino said. “Plus, with the installation of insulated backer and vapor barrier, you have the added benefits of keeping heat in the home in the winter and keeping in cool air in the summer, as well as keeping water out.”

While ease of maintenance is definitely a benefit of vinyl siding, Vernenge said, there are other perks and features, including vinyl soffits, fascia and ventilation systems,  as well.

Another benefit, although nominal, is that the insulation and vapor barrier under the siding, but not the siding itself or insulated siding, may be eligible for a federal tax credit for energy efficiency of 30 percent, up to $1,500. The Aamco foam siding and Tyvec house wrap both qualify for the tax credit, said Coschino. Visit www.energystar.gov for more information on what types of insulation qualify.

For more information, contact Allstate Construction at (248) 528-1600 or visit www.allstateconstruction.net; Classic Window at (586) 776-0060 or visit www.classicwindow.qcommerce.com; or Siding Unlimited at (586) 247-6269 or visit www.siding-unlimited.com.