Vinyl Siding in Downeast

[OutdoorLover]

For what it's worth, the top-rated synthetic shakes (color retention, wind resistance, cracking resistance) found by Consumer Reports were the CertainTeed Cedar Impressions line.

They have a variety of configurations from individual shakes, each with their own subtle variations in color to panels of "straight edge perfection". The individual shakes probably look the best, but also cost the most to install. I am thinking on the double 7in staggered perfection panels myself.

[Kiwiluver]

Thank you for the information

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

The individual shakes probably look the best, but also cost the most to install.

Actually, I have my vinyl shakes at the top of the house. No one can tell the difference. Its like putting prego on the floor. There is enough difference between pieces that people think its the real thing.

[Kracer]

Originally Posted by Kiwiluver

So I have decided to clad my home in architectural vinyl siding that resembles cedar shakes. I would prefer the real deal, but the reality of the situation is my ladder climbing days are rapidly coming to an end. One of my buddies who does this for a living in North Carolina is going to assist me which is awesome. He did tell me there is a sweet spot so to speak of weather where it is better to install it and asked me to inquire from the local populace as to if there were any better time to do so.
Thanks,
Pete

see the film "Blue Vinyl" and rethink the use of vinyl siding.

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by Kracer

see the film "Blue Vinyl" and rethink the use of vinyl siding.

You live in new Jersey. You don’t live off the coast of Maine. Lets imagine that you have to repaint your house for $10,000 every 5 years, and that by the 5 year it looks like crap.

Lets imagine that it is impossible to find a painter to even give you an estimate since they are all booked many years in advance. Meanwhile your house begins to deteriorate, you start to get water leaks, and it generally looks awful. The resell value plummets.

I’m sure that making vinyl causes all kind of problems, but in Maine we can only use latex paint which doesn’t last more than 5 years.

Here’s a place where they tell you never to use Latex PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOUSE: https://www.hunker.com/13413054/the-...of-latex-paint

What in the world do these people think we are supposed to use on our houses?????? Aluminum? Do you know how toxic making aluminum is?

Don’t use down in your clothing. Most down is pulled from the ducks in a violent way. Don’t use polyester either because it is a horrible plastic. Don’t eat any GMO food. Dis you know that the most ubiquitous grain is wheat? Its in everything. Do you know which grain is the most genetically modified and has been since it could be done? Yup, Wheat. All wheat is genetically modified. It goes on and on. Live out in the woods in a shack you built yourself and grow all your own food. How many of the 10 billion people on the planet can do that? not many.

Give me a break.

[Kiwiluver]

Originally Posted by Kracer

see the film "Blue Vinyl" and rethink the use of vinyl siding.

I have to make decisions that work for me based on a myriad of factors, some of which I included in my original post.I will allow you the same latitude when making decisions for yourself.
Thanks

[wharton]

To the OP's original point. I am a retired builder who has nailed up many thousands of sq. feet of all kinds of vinyl siding products. There is no "optimal temperature" where everybody rushes out to install exterior vinyl siding products. When it gets too cold, and the stuff is shattering as you cut it, or hit it with a hammer, it's too cold. When it's too hot to work, you are dripping with sweat, and vinyl clapboard style sheets are so soft that it's like nailing overcooked spaghetti to the wall, you should be inside drinking a beer. During the 70-80 degrees between these extremes, any competent installer knows how to get it done right.

[Kiwiluver]

Thank you sir

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Fo those intending to install vinyl siding themselves, take a look at the many videos available. Aside from making sure it stays level, the two most important things are not tailing the nails down tight and applying the siding from back to front as viewed from the road. You don't want to see the edges where they overlap.

If you nail the strips too tightly, the vinyl will buckle or ripple as it expands. It will creak and pop when it is extremely cold. It can even shatter when very cold.

Years ago,homeowners realized that aluminum siding and baseballs do not mix. You can'r fix the dents. If your rotary mower throws rocks and sticks, you can get holes in your vinyl. Don't throw away the small trimmed pieces left over when you do the job. You can use them to patch holes with caulk as the adhesive. They won't be visible. It works.