Imagine that one day, you thought that your home’s current siding could use a makeover. This may be because it no longer looks good, or perhaps you want to imitate the look of that fine looking house on the other side of town. Regardless, you fork out some cash (maybe even filed an insurance claim), called up a siding expert and had a fresh layer of siding installed. However, just months later and you’re already regretting the decision because your siding is already in a bad state. Sadly, this is a true story for many homeowners, but what went wrong?
Mistake #1: Choosing the wrong materials
There are plenty of siding materials available today, so choosing the right one is important if you want your siding to last a long time. Unfortunately, many homeowners make their choices based on the siding’s appearance and price tag. This can prove disastrous if you choose the wrong material based on your local climate. For example, wood and metal siding doesn’t fare well in humid areas, since water can cause rot or rust spots.
Mistake #2: Choosing the wrong contractor
Homeowners that make their siding choices based on the lowest price, are also likely to choose contractors with the most inexpensive services. As a result, they usually end up with professionals that do not have enough experience or tools to properly carry out the job (that’s why they lower their rates to attract customers). Sure, hiring a more reputable contractor may cost more, but it’s nothing compared to risking the quality of your home’s siding and spending for more unexpected repairs.
Mistake # 3: Choosing the wrong time
Some homeowners just don’t have the patience when it comes to improving their home. These are the people that do not know how the local climate can affect the quality of installation. For example, installing siding during winter not only takes more time, but may also prevent the professionals from making accurate measurements (some materials shrink a bit during cold weather).
Keep your eyes open for the next part of this 3-part blog series, Part 2, coming soon, which will be about common mistakes that homeowners make during siding installation.
