.Scott's Exteriors, LLC..

Siding is to a house as skin is to the human body. Siding protects the house against the elements and pests. It helps prevent moisture penetration and the growth of biological contaminants such as mold, dust mites and bacteria. These 3 types of biological contaminants have been known to cause allergic, respiratory, and other health problems in humans.

Choosing siding deserves careful consideration. Some sidings are good in dry climates, others in wetter climates. Some siding is better in windy conditions. And still others, like vinyl, are good in all types of weather conditions. Rain, snow and frost are the moisture concerns. If rain, snow or frost get behind the siding, the moisture makes the wall sheathing soft, degrading the strength of the entire house frame.

Some of the common pests that may reside behind poor or inappropriate siding are dust mites, carpenter ants, and termites. Dust mites are a common allergy concern. Carpenter ants and termites, as they eat away at the home, undermine the strength of a wooden frame.

A carefully chosen siding, appropriate for your climate and the amount of care you are willing to devote to its maintenance, will not only give your house a new look, but protect your family's health and safety.

Aluminum is easily maintained in the first few years. After that the color may fade or paint may peel, blister or crack. Aluminum should be watched for dents, which should either be repainted or the panel replaced. Aluminum may need to be cleaned to remove dirt, grass, or mildew. Pressure washing aluminum is possible but should first be done with plain water on low pressure. If low pressure doesn't seem to be making the area clean do a higher power test wash on an area that is less visible. The test wash is important because some pressure washers create enough pressure to break a 2 x 4. It is best to use a biodegradable detergent and hose it off with a light spray.

Vinyl is easy to maintain. From time to time vinyl will have to be washed to eliminate dirt, dust, grass stains, mold or mildew. For heavier stains, vinyl siding can be cleaned with a soft cloth, or soft bristled toothbrush (if the surface is textured). Some of the more common cleaners that can be used on vinyl include: Fantastic®, Murphy's Oil Soap®, Lestoil®, Windex® and Soft Scrub®. Since vinyl and its accessories will melt when exposed to significant fire or flame, owners of vinyl siding should take care to keep grills and combustible materials, such as mulch and dry leaves, away from the siding.

Wood planking will have to be painted. Again, it depends on the climate how long between paintings.

Wood shakes and shingles
These should not be installed close to the ground where moisture might wick up behind them. If there is soil build up around the bottom of the wood siding it should be removed. Shakes and shingles will fade over time. And may fade unevenly depending on landscaping or nearness to other homes that might cause partial shade. Shakes and shingles can be painted or stained to help preserve them. Depending on the climate, painting may have to be done every 5-7 years and staining may have to be done every 3 years.

Aluminum is similar to vinyl but is very susceptible to dents, for example, when hit by a ball or leaned on. It is relatively low maintenance in the earlier years. It will need repainting when you touch it and a chalky residue appears on your finger. When it does need repainting it must be carefully prepared using a primer specifically selected for that aluminum. Once in a while a manufacturer will discontinue a pattern. It's a good idea to purchase several replacement panels when you make the initial siding purchase.

Cedar is a large coniferous tree, its surface is soft and its grain is intricate. Cedar produces a natural tannin that is thought to be a natural insect repellent. These tannins can cause spots, especially after rain storms. The spotting will stop after about 3 years, once the wood is used to the weather conditions.

Redwood is similar to cedar except in its color.

Vinyl is made of polyvinyl chloride. It is widely used in construction today. It resembles wood and comes in various styles and colors. One of the advantages of vinyl is that the color of the vinyl permeates the thickness of panel making scratches almost unnoticeable. Vinyl responds well in a wide variety of temperatures and climates. Unlike aluminum, damaged panels can be replaced quite quickly. Unlike woods, vinyl has a relatively high ignition temperature of 736 F. Cedar will burn 2 ½ times faster and hardboard will burn 3 times faster than vinyl. This slower burn rate can give occupants more time to escape, in case of fire.

Woods such as cedar, redwood and cypress are most often used as siding. Some woods are very attractive to animals or birds, like woodpeckers, whose pecking will make holes or otherwise damage siding. It is important to know about the area you live in before choosing a particular type of wood.