What Is A Siding Company?

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Let’s be honest, siding isn’t something that people think about often. If you’ve never owned a home, you may not even know what siding is. On top of that, you’re probably wondering what a siding company is. Good thing we are one!

Essentially, a siding company is a business that installs, repairs and replaces siding, and offers siding style options to upgrade houses and other buildings. Sister Siding is a siding company that specializes in all of the above, and then some (windows, doors, painting, roofing). Residential and commercial siding can come in different materials, but Sister Siding primarily uses fiber cement.

What Is A Siding Contractor?

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A siding contractor is someone who is contracted to install siding on a building. They can also be called a “siding installer” (“Siding Installer Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More”). Typically, a siding contractor works for a siding company. A siding contractor can also be the actual company. For example, Sister Siding Company also identifies as a siding contractor.

Siding contractors are knowledgeable in all things siding. Since roofing has components in common with siding, some siding contractors also double as roofing contractors (“What does a Roofing Contractor do?”). Regardless, a siding contractor will give proper estimates, and can help you decide on the best type of siding repair or siding replacement needed for your project. A siding contractor will also be able to answer any questions or concerns you may have about siding, and should be licensed to do the job you need.

Pro Tip: Always ask your siding contractor questions before hiring them to ensure you are going with a company that will give you the best value and a correct installation. Check out our blog on “How To Find A Good Siding Contractor…” to see what types of questions you should ask.

What Is Siding?

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Now that you know what a siding company is, you might be wondering what siding is. Siding is the protective layer of a house, or other structure, that is put onto a building as the last barrier layer over walls before paint. It is meant to protect your home.

As the outermost protective layer of a building, siding comes in contact with a lot of external elements. Things like hail, wind, snow, rain, sunshine, bugs, and other pests. Exterior siding acts as a shield, to safeguard the interior of a home and its structure, helping it last as long as possible.

Siding is sometimes referred to as “wall-cladding,” but these two things are slightly different. Siding is directly applied to a water resistant barrier, a wall, sheathing, or insulation foam board (“The Difference Between Siding vs. Cladding | Fortress”) in the layering process. Cladding is indirectly attached to a building by first installing furring strips. Which creates a water-resistive barrier (WRB) (“Evaluated Water-Resistive Barriers”).

Highlight: One of the reasons Sister Siding uses fiber cement siding is for its quality. This siding material can be installed over a WRB which makes it double as a type of cladding, but it is also water resistant on its own. Not to mention fire-resistant as well as insect proof.

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The Different Types Of Siding Materials

There are a variety of siding materials to choose from when it comes to re-siding a building. Every structure is different and requires particular needs or has owners with specific wants. The most important things to consider when choosing a siding material are local environmental factors, value, and overall quality for longevity.

Fiber Cement Siding

As talked about above, fiber cement siding (Hardie and Buck) is a reliable option for pretty much any home needing a quality and versatile siding solution.

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Wood Siding

Usually made of redwood or cedar (Lumber), natural wood siding is a beautiful eco-friendly option that allows for easy change of stain or paint colors.

Manufactured/Engineered Wood Siding

Offering the same aesthetics of natural wood, engineered wood siding (“2022 Engineered Wood Siding Costs | Installation Price Guide”) also offers a much lower cost.

Brick Siding

Not only is it beautiful, but brick siding (Roberts) is also fire resistant, offers great insulation and is low maintenance.

Stone Veneer Siding

Once in a while someone will opt for true stone to be used on their home, but stone veneer siding (“Stone Veneer Siding (Pros & Cons)”) is more affordable than natural stone, easy to install, and replicates the look of real stone for an aesthetic curb appeal.

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Metal Siding

Typically seen on commercial buildings, metal siding (Roberts) is fire-resistant, insect resistant, low maintenance, and recyclable.

Composite Siding

Made of recycled materials such as wood scraps and plastics (“What’s New in Composite Siding | The Latest Advancements”), held together with resin for a protective barrier.

Vinyl Siding

Probably the most affordable siding material, vinyl siding (“Vinyl House Siding: Pros and Cons”) is a popular choice and offers a good variety in terms of colors.

4 Reasons Siding Upgrades Are Important

Since siding is used as the exterior and ultra protective layer of your home, it’s important to keep it in pristine shape. Siding that has been infiltrated by moisture, pests, damaged from external elements, or not properly maintained should be upgraded as soon as possible. Here’s why:

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1. Lower Energy Bills

Everyone likes a low energy bill. Since siding contributes to the overall insulation of a home, upgraded siding will aid in temperature control and keep your home protected against wind, rain, snow, hail and heat.

2. Home Value

Whether you’re planning to move or not, keeping your property value high is important. Updated siding not only attracts potential (or future) buyers, but it will also look better to you, and will benefit the curb appeal of your neighborhood.

3. Expose Hidden Damage

Upgrading your siding means that you’ll be able to see what’s going on underneath old siding. Depending on how long it’s been since you’ve done any siding work, it may be helpful to look under the hood to fix internal problems that may have been hidden. What you find might shock you, but it’s a good opportunity to get it fixed and refreshed.

4. Low Maintenance

If you have a home with old siding, upgrading your siding to a more modern material will significantly reduce siding maintenance costs. A siding material like fiber cement is just one of many low maintenance options.

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Pro Tip: If you are living in a house that was built before the 80s, it’s especially important to upgrade your siding due to asbestos siding exposure. This material of siding stopped being manufactured in the late 70s (Exovations) when it was deemed unsafe. If your home has this type of older siding, you could be exposed to breathing in particles which poses extreme health risks.

Now that you know what a siding company is, what a siding contractor is, what siding is, the different types of materials it comes in, and why siding upgrades are important, you can feel confident and prepared for when you need to deal with siding on your home. If you live in the Portland metro areas of Oregon, Sister Siding is prepared to be at your service for all your siding needs. Click HERE to find contact information.