Vinyl Siding

[Bird]

Has anyone had any experience with vinyl siding sold and installed by Sears or Home Depot? Our house is brick with a hip roof, but 2' eaves. And under the same roof is a 12' x 21' breezeway to the 21' x 25' shop. The shop is brick on the front but I'm guessing it's T1-11 siding on both sides and the back. There's also wood or T1-11 siding in the 5' x 6' alcove outside the front door, and the ceiling of the breezeway. Since I don't like painting, I'm considering vinyl siding to try to cover all the wood, if it's not too expensive (which I suspect it is).

 

[Syncro]

Bird- I can't help you with the vinyl costs, though I've seen plenty of it in my 40 years as a home builder. If you have T-111 siding than thats about the worst as far as paint goes, it is a good strong product but requires special attention to get any kind of longevity out of paint. We use an elastomeric primer directly on the wood, then follow up with a good latex house paint. This works pretty good on new/good condition siding, 5-10 years. If your siding is not in very good condition (little or no cracks) then re-siding makes sense. A good alternative to vinyl is to use a tempered masonite product, this comes in 4x panels (least expensive) or in lap siding. This will hold up very well with a good paint job, 10-15 years or more. Its also the most natural looking, vinyl to me looks like vinyl, just my preference.

Just beware there are lots of so called 'hard board' sidings out there, but only the tempered masonite will give the stability and long life. You can tell by looking at it, tempered masonite is very hard and a hammer will bounce off, also requires a carbide blade to cut. There are also some cememt board siding products that are also good, but higher priced.

If you get a decent price on vinyl, its OK but you will be stuck with the color forever.

 

[Bird]

Frank, this house was built in '91, so it's 15 years old. One neighbor thinks a prior owner added the shop building later, but I've got some doubts about that. I really suspect it was all built at the same time, but don't know for sure. And it's in good shape now; probably wouldn't even need painting for a couple of years anyway, but if it isn't too expensive, I'd like to add the vinyl siding before anything deteriorates. I thought Sears used independent contractors to actually do the work, as Home Depot does, but now I've been told that it's actually Sears employees. I do know of one similar job that Sears did several years ago and they did a really good job, but I don't know what it cost.

 

[ronjhall]

You may be able to find a local contractor to install siding. May be same price but will usually use a higher quality siding. I like CertainTeed. http://certainteed.com/CertainTeed/Homeowner/Homeowner/Siding/Prodindex/Fibercement/Shapes-Lap-Vertical.htm
It comes in a vertical siding that has the vents hid in the ribs.

 

[Egon]

Don't know much about siding but here in Nova Scotia almost all new siding is vinyl with insulation added. It's a really good upgrade for older homes like ours.

I would suspect that sears will apply whatever grade you choose.

In very cold climates the vinyl has a tendency to crack at -30C or so if it is hit. [ Maybe the newer products are better now ]

Egon

 

[MrJimi]

I don't mean to scare you but I watched a documentary on HBO about vinyl siding and it was not a good thing? And it fades and grows mildew big time and very toxic when it burns.
Jim

 

[goaliedad]

A couple of thoughts- I'm pretty sure Sears uses independent contractors- so it could be luck of the draw as far as the job quality. Fading- yes some colors have had fade problems. Our SIL works for a siding distributer and is in the process of residing their house- about 6 years old. They got a warranty claim on the product, but his labor is not covered. I would suggest you talk to someone at a siding distributer- they should be able to suggest some installers, unless you are up for the job yourself, and should know what colors to avoid.

 

[Bird]

Ron, I've looked at Certainteed's website, and I, too, like the appearance of the vertical siding.

Egon, I know they add insulation under the siding, at least some of the time, but I really don't need anymore insulation. My only concerns are: (1) no more painting, and (2) keep any moisture out and prevent rotting. However, I've also been told they put a thin sheet of strofoam under the vinyl to keep from driving the nails in too tight; i.e., let the vinyl have the ability to expand and contract with temperature changes.

Goaliedad, I thought Sears used independent contractors, too, (and maybe they do), but the lady I talked to on the phone yesterday said it was Sears employees. I thought they also used independent contractors for in home appliance repair, but the two guys who were here recently to check out our washer and dryer said they're Sears employees; not contractors. And when I was in Pennsylvania, I saw a number of vinyl sided homes with severe fading on the west side, especially if the color was blue. Our current color is something I would call gray and I think I'd kind of like to keep the same color. Actually, I'm inclined to think white is the best, but we have aluminum rain gutters that perhaps would need to be repainted if we changed colors. However, the roofing shingles are gray, so maybe white vinyl with gray gutters wouldn't look too bad. As for being up for the job myself . . . I don't really think so, although I have two brothers who have done that job several times, so with their help, that's a possibility this Fall.

Sears is supposed to have someone here to give me an estimate at 10 a.m. today, so we'll see how it goes. I appreciate everyone's responses.

 

[dmccarty]

Bird,

As in all things there is good and bad which usually mean expensive and cheaqp.

My Neighbor has vinyl siding that is something like 2' x 3' panels. He gave me a panel and I have had it sitting outside for 5 years or so and it looks fine. If it faded I can't tell. This stuff looks like red wood cedar. I THOUGHT it was red wood cedar. I have a habit of knocking on siding/doors/walls/whatever. I stopped by his house one day to see him and while waiting for him to come to the door I knocked on the siding. It FELT and sounded ALMOST like wood siding. I doubt most people could tell the difference. It was the sound that got me real curious. I drove by for years and thought it was wood... This stuff was very thick as well.

We put up vinyl under the eaves. Can't touch it and it looks like wood. We had a choice of a thin/cheap version or thicker/more money version. We went with the more expensive version. Its under the eaves I'm not sure this was required but its cheaper to do it now than fix it later. The installer who I liked and knew his stuff said they had installed the same product in houses on the coast that survived hurricane winds.

The problem I have with vinyl siding is how to keep the water out. The siding is not water proof. Water will get in. Brick is not water proof either but it should be put up with a gap between the brick and the structure of the house. Weep holes should be put in to allow the water to drain. Vinyl has to have some sort of water protection under the sidng. Foam would work. I just checked one of my building books and every framing detail with vinyl siding has foam.

I'm pretty sure we ended up with Certainteed siding for the eaves. We used their roof shingles as well. I don't know the price. I'll ask the wife and see if she remembers.

Later,
Dan

 

[EddieWalker]

Bird,

I know a guy who used to install windows for Sears. He didn't know anything about it when they hired him, and after a few months he quite. It's a very high turnover type of job. From what I've heard about Home Depot and Lowes, it's the same thing. Constant turnover with new people all the time.

It's really a gamble on who you get and the results you end up with. The big thing is what happens if they mess it up??????

I hear allot of complaints about people who use Home Depot and Lowes for the installation of items they've purchased. I've made allot of money going in and redoing some of these installations!!!! Sears isn't real big here, so it's not something I've heard too much about first hand, but imagine it's very similar.

If it was my money, I would look to somebody who does side for a living and has some history with it.

Eddie