Fun fact of the day: What are the pros and cons of vinyl siding? The advertisements seem so enticing. Install vinyl siding, they say, and you will never have to paint your house again. Unlike wood or cedar, this durable plastic will not rot or flake. Vinyl is available in several dozen colors, and can mimic architectural details that were once made from wood. Its no wonder that vinyl has become the most popular siding material in the United States and is quickly gaining momentum around the world. But, wait! What the ads dont tell you can cost you dearly. Before you install vinyl siding over wood clapboard or cedar shingles, consider these important factors. 1. Health Concerns Vinyl is made from a PVC, a plastic resin that contains the hazardous chemical, chlorine, and stabilizers such as lead. In high temperatures,PVC releases formaldehyde, dioxin, and other dangerous chemicals. A series of scientific studies has linked the PVC used in FEMA emergency housing with respiratory problems. Dioxin, which is released when vinyl siding is burned, has been associated with a wide range of diseases from heart disease to cancer. Siding advocates such as representatives from the Vinyl Siding Institute say that these hazards are overstated. While fumes from burning vinyl may be unhealthy, vinyl burns more slowly than wood. 2. Durability Advertisements often imply that vinyl siding is permanent. It is true that vinyl will last a very long time. (Thats why it is so difficult to dispose of safely.) In extreme weather, however, vinyl is less durable than wood and masonry. Violent wind can get underneath the thin sheets of vinyl siding and lift a panel from the wall. Windblown debris and strong hail can puncture vinyl. New developments are making vinyl is stronger and less brittle, but the plastic sheets will still crack or break if struck by a lawnmower or snow blower. Damage cannot be patched; you will need to replace a section. Liquid vinyl coatings, which are sprayed on like paint, may prove to be more durable than vinyl panels. However, liquid vinyl coatings are difficult to apply correctly. Numerous problems have been reported. 3. Maintenance Wood must be painted or stained; vinyl requires no paint. However, its not exactly true to say that vinyl is maintenance-free. To maintain its fresh appearance, vinyl siding should be washed once a year. Any wooden window sashes and trim will still require routine painting, and ladders leaning against the house can scuff or crack the vinyl siding. Unlike wood and masonry, vinyl siding presents its own breed of maintenance worries. Moisture trapped beneath the vinyl siding will accelerate rot, promote mold and mildew, and invite insect infestations. Left uncorrected, dampness in the walls will cause wallpaper and paint inside the house to blister and peel. To avoid hidden decay, you will want to frequently re-caulk joints between the vinyl siding and adjacent trim. Roof leaks, faulty gutters, or other sources of moisture should be repaired without delay. Vinyl siding may not be a wise option for an older home with a chronically damp cellar. 4. Energy Conservation Be wary of a vinyl salesperson who promises very low energy bills. Vinyl siding can help, especially the more expensive grades of insulated vinyl, but vinyl siding is, by definition, a superficial treatment. Regardless of the type of siding you choose, you may want to install additional insulation inside the walls. 5. Color Vinyl is available in more colors than ever before, and new vinyl siding does not fade as quickly as older vinyl. Also, the pigmentation is baked through instead of applied to the surface, so vinyl wont show scratches. Nevertheless, depending on the quality of vinyl you buy, expect some fading after five years or so. Time and weather will also alter the gloss of your vinyl siding. If a panel is damaged, the new replacement panel might not be an exact match. After you have lived in your home for a number of years, you may grow weary of its color - especially if the vinyl has grown dim and faded. You can paint the vinyl, but then the vinyl is no longer maintenance-free. In general, the color of your vinyl house is the color it will always be, until you install new siding. 6. Historic Preservation With a careful installation of a better-quality vinyl, the siding will truly fool the eye. Yet no matter how closely vinyl resembles wood, any artificial siding will diminish the historic authenticity of an older home. In many cases, the original trim and ornamental details are covered or removed. In some installations, the original clapboard is completely removed or seriously damaged. Vinyl siding will always alter the overall texture and proportions of the house, changing the depth of moldings and replacing natural wood grain with factory-made embossed patterns. The result is a home with less appeal, and diminished value. 7. Property Values As the quality and variety of vinyl improves, acceptance is growing. More and more new homes in the United States are constructed with vinyl. On the other hand, vinyl is not the siding of choice for upscale, architect-designed homes. Many home shoppers still perceive vinyl as a tacky shortcut, a cover-up for possible problems, or at the very least, a low-budget solution.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 03:15:07 +0000
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