Ready to Explore Siding for your house in Murrysville Pennsylvania?
The team at The Roofing Company can show how the layers behind the siding work, and what the walls need once the job is done
Reach us at 412-858-8858 to talk through your walls
More Than a Pretty Surface, Not Just Looks
A house wall is built in layers, with siding outside, then a water barrier, then sheathing, then framing; the real protection is the whole assembly working together.
Before you decide on Siding, learn what sits behind the boards and how it was built; a roofer or siding crew should be willing to look behind a loose board.
Choosing a Siding Material, and What They Ask of You
Vinyl siding is the most common choice, though panels can crack on a bitterly cold day if they are struck; the color goes all the way through the panel, so scratches show less.
Fiber cement is a dense board of cement, sand and cellulose that shrugs off weather and fire better than wood; it holds paint well, and a factory finish lasts a long time.
Wood siding looks the most natural and can be repaired board by board, but it needs paint or stain and regular attention; boards near the ground need the most protection.
Painted metal siding resists rot and insects, though it dents and fades, and it survives mostly on older houses; some owners cover old metal siding with newer material.
Comparing proposals for Siding gets easier once you have seen vinyl, fiber cement and wood on real houses; a sample board in your hand tells you more than a picture.
What Pittsburgh Weather Does to Siding: Where Trouble Starts
Snow, ice, driving rain and strong summer sun all work on siding, and the swing between them wears every material; the pattern of wear shows where moisture is winning.
Staining on siding can come from clogged gutters, leaking downspouts or plants growing too close to the wall; a gentle wash removes surface growth without harming the finish.
The Details Around Every Opening: Flashing and Seals
- Windows and doors need flashing and sealant that sheds water outward.
- Caulk beads at joints and trim can wear out and should be checked when siding is removed.
Sealant is not a permanent fix, because it ages in sun and freezing cycles and needs replacing from time to time; a missed joint near a window is a common leak source.
A search for Siding should lead to a crew that talks about flashing and trim as well as panels and colors; you should get a specific answer.
Small Fixes and Whole-House Jobs, and Questions to Ask
If damage is limited to one area, such as a storm-damaged corner or a rotted section, replacing the pieces is a practical choice; wood and fiber cement can be painted to blend.
Water stains, bubbling paint or a spongy feel when you press the wall are signs of damage underneath; repeated patches add up over time and may not fix the cause.
What is found behind the siding, not how the wall looks from the street, sets the scope of Siding; the strongest proposals say what they do not yet know.
Where the Roof Meets the Wall, Edge by Edge
Where a roof ends against a wall, a missing piece of flashing can send water straight down behind the boards; clogged or sagging gutters spill water down the siding.
Bare wood or cut ends that touch a wet surface soak up moisture and begin to rot; mulch and soil piled against siding invite rot and insects.
Your questions on Siding should include what happens where a roof ends against a wall; the answers say a lot about how careful the crew is.
Working on a House With History: Honest Expectations
Opening up a wall is the only way to learn what is behind it, and older houses hold the most surprises; insulation and wiring are sometimes visible for the first time.
Crooked or uneven walls are common in older homes, and the crew should straighten them or work around them; a candid crew admits there may be unknowns.
Your questions on Siding for a house with history should cover what will happen if rot turns up; photographs of the siding and any damage help the crew plan.
Order of Work on an Exterior Wall: Start to Finish
The crew first protects the plants, the walkways and the windows, then removes the old siding and any damaged trim; the house is checked for gaps, holes and old nails.
Next the housewrap and flashing go up, then the siding is hung from the bottom upward, with trim and corners set as the courses rise; the finish work around windows and corners comes last.
- Which water barrier and flashing will you use, and can you show me?
- What upkeep does the finish need, and what do you recommend?
Comfort Is Part of the Picture, From Draft to Hum
Insulated vinyl and foam-backed panels add some stiffness and a little thermal resistance, though they are not a substitute for wall insulation; the choice of backing should match the rest of the wall.
Dense materials such as fiber cement deaden sound more than thin vinyl, though windows matter far more than siding; ask how a crew would treat a wall facing a road.
Comfort and noise are fair topics when you are thinking about Siding, so mention them to the crew; ask what is included in the plan and what would cost extra effort.
A Short List for Your Crew, Before You Sign Anything
Good answers are specific, and they refer to your house, your walls and the materials you have discussed; a vague answer is a reason to ask again.
Take the Next Step, and Plan It Properly
The outside of a house works hard all year, and a well-built wall covering makes everything behind it last; start with the wall you have today.
Contact us at 412-858-8858 to go over Siding for your walls; tell us about the age and the style of the house.
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