You're done with the siding job, but something's not right. The problem? It isn't laying flat to the wall. And if you think the customer's going to notice and say something, you're probably right. A properly installed siding job, whether vinyl or fiber cement, should lay flat and look great for years to come. More
In the last decade, a range of new trim has overtaken the exteriors market. Trim stock is now available in plywood, OSB, MDO, hardboard, low-density fiber-cement, cellular PVC, and polyurethane. The variety is staggering, and, as you might suspect, so is the range of performance. More
Few dispute the superior performance of fiber-cement siding. But if the crew doesn't have the right tools, you'll not only hear some grumbling but you will also be paying slightly higher labor costs. Here's a rundown on the essentials needed to efficiently cut and install this material. More
Fiber-cement siding doesn't warp, but it is flexible enough to distort if the studs to which it is being attached are bowed. To prevent a wavy appearance, Phil Birner of Amazing Siding in Houston says his installers strip the walls back to the studs and try to correct the problem at its source. Alternatively, they apply rigid foam behind the siding to help flatten the wall. More
Introduced more than 20 years ago in Europe and Australia, fiber-cement siding has become a popular upsell in the U.S. remodeling market. With limited warranties of up to 50 years, it's considered a premium option, offering low maintenance compared with wood siding products for about the same installed costs, and a higher-quality appearance and more durability than vinyl for a 35% to 50% higher cost. More
Vinyl siding has long been a sensible choice for consumers who want to refurbish the exteriors of their homes. Now, new technology and fresh ideas are making vinyl siding not just practical but aesthetically appealing. More and more, homeowners are choosing vinyl based on color and trim options, says Jeff Landon of Atlantis Building Products. Manufacturers have responded to this trend with gusto. More
Cement shortage, creating a wetland, health concern about old plaster, workers comp reform in California, lightning- resistant flexible gas line More
Q. Fiber-cement siding comes primed. Can I go straight to a top coat? What's the best paint to use? More
