Siding Solutions Your Clients are Looking For
Siding and Shingles Tips for Harsh Weather
With the changing weather, your customers are seeking improved solutions to protect homes from Mother Nature while adding beauty and value to their home. Today’s vinyl siding delivers all of this.
Between new repair and renovation segments of the building industry, the U.S. siding market is expected to grow 3-5% each year for the next three years due to a strong economy increasing the amount of home purchases and renovations – making vinyl siding an ideal solution to offer your customers.
Not Your Parents’ Vinyl Siding
The repair and renovation segment has changed dramatically. Today, consumers want curb appeal for their homes. In fact, consumers are replacing their siding three to five years sooner than they were a decade ago.
In addition to more frequent replacements, consumers are upgrading to premium siding options in a variety of patterns, textures and rich colors.
Perhaps the biggest shift in today’s siding is the choice to move away from the 1980’s shiny, plastic-like vinyl that many Americans grew up with. Now, vinyl siding is available in more patterns and colors than any other siding alternative. Vinyl siding manufacturers are benefitting from this industry growth because they are the most cost-effective siding product in addition to offering the largest variety of options.
Today, manufactures are adding stone, brick and stucco shingles. instead of the traditional matter finishes and patterns like board, batten and wood shake shingles.
Certain-Teed and other vinyl siding manufacturers have added enhancements like thicker panels, better UV resistance and stronger interlocking systems to increase durability against fading, hail and wind storms.
Siding Alternatives
Your client doesn’t like the vinyl look? Not a problem, there are some unique and innovative products on the market.
LP SmartSide, is a treated engineered wood siding available in lap and panel options. Unlike cedar, pine or cypress wood siding, LP SmartSide is treated with an advanced formula of adhesive resins, water-resistant waxes, zinc borate, and with a bonded water-resistant, resin-saturated overlay. This process provides protection against water damage, termites and fungal decay. LP SmartSide comes primed but can be prefinished in an assortment of solid paint and stain finishes.
New this year from LP SmartSide, is a smooth texture resembling traditional wood siding. This smooth texture allows it to fit in with architectural styles like traditional, historical or modern, and a smooth trim is available to match the siding.
Just like traditional wood siding, LP SmartSide products don’t require special tools or fasteners. With proper installation, LP SmartSide is designed to withstand severe weather with wind gusts up to 200 miles per hour.
Aspyre Collection by James Hardie, the leader in fiber cement siding, has expanded to the entire U.S. market to capture higher-end homes and commercial projects desiring thicker profiles for a more pronounced visual appearance.
This year, Aspyre Collection launched the
Artisan Shingle, which simulates the look of natural cedar shingles without the inherent problems of wood.
James Hardie has reorganized its colors into two groups, a Statement Collection and a Dream Collection.15 colors make up the Statement Collection and are competitively priced and widely available through distribution, keeping lead times to a minimum.
The Dream Collection is comprised of approximately 700 colors, which will satisfy the most demanding architect, builder or consumer tastes.
Select Cellular Composite Siding by Royal offers the look, touch and timelessness of real wood without the high price tag. Select Siding has a unique interlocking system that keeps moisture out and eliminates gaps on the exterior wall.
Available in several profiles including clapboard, shake and board and batten, Select Siding lends itself to all architectural styles. 18 beautiful colors comprise the Select palette, ranging from lighter tans to darker blues and browns.
Keep the Home Safe
While all these different siding products are aesthetically gorgeous, the main role of siding is to protect your house against the elements. Proper installation is crucial to upholding the manufacturer’s warranty, as well as the framing wall system behind it.
The addition of a weather resistant barrier (WRB) to any wall system is critical to the overall moisture control, air flow and energy efficiency. The weather resistant barrier allows water to drain safely away from the wall system while allowing water vapor to exit the structure.
Products like Henry Blueskin VP100 and Henry WeatherSmart Drainable WRB’s, are excellent products to prolong the life of your siding and protect the structure of your home.
Do you have questions about siding options for your client? Check out the siding options available by contacting a
MYERS Building Product Specialist or stopping by a
MYERS showroom.
