Q.  How is Surface Prepared?

A.  Proper preparation of the existing siding is very important.  Rotted wood must be removed and replaced with solid material before the siding is installed.  Any loose wood or buckled siding must be secured firmly to the house.

Q.  What type of insulation should be used?

A.  This is the perfect time to add more insulating value to your home, making it more energy efficient and quite.  There are three main types of under lament used.  Some companies will jus use a paper to cover the home or more commonly use a 3/8 inch foil backed foam with white coffee cup type Styrofoam.  Both types offer poor surface leveling properties and when they get wet they hold moisture so the insulating value is reduced. to nothing.  The best underlayment is ridged polystrene at least 1/2 inches thick.  This type of insulation give the installer a nice level surface to install his siding as well as making the home quieter and more energy efficient, also polystyrene is a closed cell material that will not absorb moisture.  It will allow moisture to pass through and still retain its R value.

Q. What other insulating steps are taken?

A.  It's very important when installing vinyl siding to  make sure the contractor your dealing with supplies you with adequate ventilation.  This is the perfect opportunity to vent eaves and overhangs and install a centervented perforated soffit to give you more airflow up in the attic.  Also, to change or enlarge, gable louvers is another important step.  Increase in ventilation will make your home more energy efficient, as well as extend the life of your roof.  Another step that helps in the insulating process is to install a foundation cap around the perimeter of the home at the bottom of the siding, this finishes of the foam as well as the old siding.  It also reduces the air infiltration around the foundation from coming up behind the siding..

Q. How is trim handled?

A.  This is one of the most important details of the job and can be handled several different ways. The most common is to install a channel accessory around the windows and doors to accept the siding and then cap the casings around the windows and doors with a smooth painted aluminum called coil stock.  This coil stock is formed on a piece of equipment called a break, used to bend metal.  The problem with this method is your home has been built out with insulation and new siding and now comes past your trim.  This gives you a sunk in look to your windows instead of a uniformed look like the original trim.  The most authentic way of handling the trim is to conceal the J channel as it's called, so the siding can be installed behind the new trim thus giving you a uniform look to your windows.  This method of trim requires a skilled craftsman to form and install, it may cost your more than your typical J channel trim, but the look achieved is well worth it.

Q.  What is the quality of the siding panels?

A.  This is obviously a very important step to the siding process.  You want to make sure you are installing over your polystyrene insulating board and your properly prepared surface a high quality piece of siding.  The most important thing to look at when choosing a siding panel is not necessarily the thickness of the panel, thicker is not always better.  Many siding manufacturers will put reground materials or fillers into the panel to achieve a thicker appearance.  This makes the panel inferior in strength and also because of the thickness of the vinyl the seams tend to be much more conspicuous.  The recommended thickness of vinyl siding is between 40 and 45 thousandths thick and you want your siding panel material to be 100% virgin vinyl with the color clear through.  There are several points to the siding panel that you should consider.  The butline, the locking mechanism and the grain are three crucial points.  The butline determines how tightly each siding panel will lock together.  The locking mechanism where the nails are placed to attach the siding to the house determines how straight the siding will lay and low long it will remain locked in place.  The next feature to your panel is the grain and finish on the panel.  The majority of siding panels have  a very plastic, glossy look to them and well as a very artificial looking wood grain.  There are panels on the market, which offer a natural embossed cedar finish.  You should look for a panel that gives you a natural look of real wood, you want a panel that is a low luster finish instead of something that is glossy and looks like plastic.  There are also several panels on the market that will simulate stained wood, as well as authentic looking cedar shakes.  It's important when selecting a contractor to look at all the different products available on the market today so you can choose a product that is right for your home.