Exterior siding serves some pretty important functions when it comes to the exterior of your home or business structure. Siding obviously adds some positive visual aesthetics to your building, but it also serves as an essential layer of protection from weather and pests. In addition, some siding materials can contribute measurable insulation value, which helps to keep your building more comfortable while saving you on heating & air costs.
Is it time to replace your old siding? If you’re looking for a trusted siding contractor in Roanoke, Danville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Eden, or Stokesdale – or anywhere in between in VA or NC – Skywalker Windows & Siding has you covered!
When it comes to a siding replacement project, choosing the right siding solution can do a lot to boost your property’s curb appeal, as well as provide reliable protection from nature and the elements. But which siding materials should you be considering? Here are a few popular options we install for residences and businesses in VA and NC:
There are lots of reasons why vinyl continues to hold its position as the most popular siding choice in America. It’s affordable, weather-resistant, and needs little maintenance. Vinyl siding also comes in a nice array of colors and designs. And if you choose a premium vinyl siding product like Polar Wall Plus! from Norandex, your siding will include built-in insulation that can help you save on home energy costs. With proper installation, a quality vinyl siding product should last you for many years.
While vinyl siding may be more popular, fiber cement siding is seen by many contractors and homeowners to be a superior product. Fiber cement delivers a texture and dimensionality, which allows it to replicate the look of natural wood or other materials much more convincingly, to the point that it’s honestly hard to tell the difference! Fiber cement is rugged, it’s durable, and it’s naturally fire-resistant and pest-resistant too. With a proper fiber cement siding installation (Skywalker is proud to install premium fiber cement products from James Hardie) and some routine maintenance, your exterior siding can last you for many decades.
While fiber cement does a good job of mimicking the look of wood, some homeowners still prefer the natural appeal of real wood siding. Wood siding can also be long-lasting, as long as you’re willing to follow the correct schedule of moisture treatments and maintenance. A drawback with natural wood siding is that it isn’t cheap, and the wood will need refinishing and resealing every 5 years or so. You’ll also need to do regular inspections for rot, mold, or pests. And if fire-resistance is a primary concern for you, you may consider choosing an alternative to wood siding.
What makes synthetic siding worth considering for your home exterior? Plenty. It can be modeled to closely mimic the look of hand-split cedar shakes, while being much longer lasting with fewer maintenance worries. The colors are essentially fadeproof, and these polymer tiles are impervious to moisture absorption, water penetration, mold, algae, fire, pests, and most impact damage. Looking for a good siding solution that will last you a lifetime? DaVinci siding comes with an impressive 50-year manufacturer’s warranty against breakage and deterioration under normal conditions and usage.
Now that you’re more familiar with some good material options, how do you choose the right siding for you? People tend to focus on upfront cost, but it’s really more important to keep cost-effectiveness in mind. A longer-lasting siding product will cost more, but it can also save you considerably more in the long run. Here are a few things you should consider as you’re making your decision:
If you’re operating on a set budget and aren’t interested in going with a high-end siding product, you’ve still got some good options. There are some nice vinyl product solutions worth your consideration. Vinyl is one of the most affordable choices; it’s relatively easy to maintain and can be customized in many attractive colors. Norandex and Alside are two respected manufacturers which produce some very nice vinyl siding.
How long do you plan to stay in your home? If you know you’ll only be there a few years; you might not want to invest a ton of money in a replacement siding project. But if you plan to stay where you are for the long haul, it really makes good sense to invest in a siding solution that’s truly durable and long-lasting. In that case, fiber cement siding from James Hardie could be a smart choice.
Keep your local climate in mind too, and make sure that the siding you’re interested in is well-suited to handle your typical weather conditions. Obviously, that includes average temperatures, but it also includes factors like relative humidity, precipitation, and likely severe weather threats. Some siding materials simply perform better for specific climates than others.
If you’re getting your home ready to sell, then that’s actually another good reason to give consideration to choosing a quality siding product which could boost your property value. There are other long-term financial benefits that go along with choosing a better siding product, too. The better the siding you choose for your replacement now, the better ROI it will provide you over time in terms of curb appeal, longevity, and ease of maintenance.
Choosing the right siding is really only half the battle when it comes to a successful siding replacement project. Are you aware that the primary cause of premature siding failure isn’t due to the material itself? In many cases, premature failure is often a result of a faulty installation. Even the best siding products can fail if they’re not installed correctly, to begin with! Don’t just look for the lowest bidder when choosing a siding installer. Better to partner with a licensed, certified, insured professional who comes highly recommended by actual homeowners in your local area.
If you’re looking for a perfect siding replacement solution in Virginia or North Carolina, then it’s incredibly important to choose the right local siding contractor. And nobody does siding installation better than the team at Skywalker Windows & Siding!
Skywalker has extensive experience working with vinyl, fiber cement, wood, DaVinci polymer siding, and other popular materials. We’re one of the highest-rated, most-awarded, most-trusted home improvement providers serving the NC Piedmont Triad, NC Piedmont Triangle, Lake Norman area, and southern Virginia region. And we do WAY more than just windows and siding installation, too. We can take care of everything from roofing, to gutters, to exterior doors, to blown insulation, to porch and deck additions. We’re happy to come out and provide you with a FREE on-site inspection and personal consultation. Give us a call today at (336) 627-5596, and experience the Skywalker difference for yourself. Let’s get started on your perfect siding or other home improvement solution!
Luke Wilson started working on roofs with his dad when he was a teenager, and eventually launched Skywalker Roofing in 2003. Skywalker operates in 5 locations across NC & VA, and now includes windows, siding, and other exterior services. Luke also hosts the popular Roofing Mythbusters series on YouTube.
301 South Elm Streen, Ste 523, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA Call us at +1 (336) 850-0027
555 Fayetteville St, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA Call us at +1 (919) 800-0496
257 Ram Loop Stokesdale, NC 27357, USA Call us at +1 (336) 627-5596
1518 Carlisle Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA Call us at +1 (540) 212-7255
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