Rent Real EstateSelecting Siding for Homeowner Associations
According to "Today’s Homeowner" magazine, tastes in siding are changing.
Aside from curb appeal considerations, there are some very practical reasons
for the shift. New materials have been developed that resist rot, have
higher fire resistance, require less or no paint and come with a long
warranty. How do they stack up?
Brick - About 21% of new homes use brick. Bricks are extremely fire proof
and do not require paint, although periodic mortar inspection and repair is
needed. Like the smartest of the three little pigs learned, you can huff
and puff but bricks tend to stand for a long time.
Cost: High
Durability: High
Vinyl - 33% of new homes have vinyl siding. The product has improved
immensely over the years and now comes in stylish looks and carries a long
warranty. For homeowner associations, it has the added advantage of no
paint required which will significantly reduce the amount of money needed
for reserves.
Cost: Medium
Durability: High
Wood - Many still use traditional wood sidings like cedar and hardboard
(wood fibers mixed with binder and formed under high pressure into sheets.
Maintenance is relatively high. Hardboard sidings have developed a bad
reputation in recent years due to premature failure caused by moisture
absorption that creates swelling and delamination. It usually performs well
in dry climates.
Cost: Medium
Durability: Medium to Low
Traditional Stucco - This form of stucco is a cementaceous mixture that is
usually applied over concrete, masonary block or brick like cake icing. The
dramatic textures and accents possible with stucco make it a popular,
although expensive, alternative. It has a long history dating back many
centuries in Europe.
Cost: High
Durability: High
Synthetic Stucco (aka EIFS-Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) - became
popular in the mid ‘80s as a cheaper alternative to traditional stucco. It
combines a foam board which is attached to the structure, followed by a
plastic mesh and then finished with a thin acrylic stucco-like coating.
Since it is light weight, it can be applied on wood frame buildings without
fear of weakening the structure due to the extra load. Unfortunately, EIFS
has experienced many water related problems that dryrot the framing
structure at an accelerated rate. EIFS requires a considerable technical
expertise to install properly which few installers possess. The product
rarely carries more than a 10 year warranty and even if it does, the
warranty is voidable due to installation errors.
Cost: High
Durability: Questionable
Cementaceous - A new generation of siding made primarily of cement is
rapidly gaining popularity. It has the look of traditional wood siding yet
is fireproof and rot resistent. Name brands like Hardiplank offer 50 year
warranties.
Cost: Medium
Durability: High
If your homeowner association is contemplating siding repair or replacement,
consider some of the modern alternatives. From the perspective of no more
paint cost, vinyl is a hands down favorite. For durability and fire
resistance, cementaceous siding offers good alternatives. When choosing
siding, side with the best you can afford and consult with the manufacturers
representative to increase the quality of installation.
For more information on this subject, see www.Regenesis.net.