1.) What do I need to do to prepare myself for my siding project?
In reality, there are only a few things. We recommend taking anything off of the walls that could possibly be knocked down from the labor when our team is removing the old siding. It would also be recommended to have one of our contractors perform an inside inspection as well before we start the project if that is OK with the homeowner.
You may also want to move any lawn decorations as you see fit, but our team will always move everything out of the way and put it back in its place when we are finished. Homeowners may want to trim any overgrown shrubs to make it easier for the crew to work on the home without damaging any landscaping or shrubbery. Our siding crew will be as cautious as possible, but sometimes minor damage to plants is unavoidable. Our siding crew uses perforated tarps for all siding projects to insure that all landscaping underneath won’t be burnt and that the property will look exactly the way it did before we came. At Keenridge, we pride ourselves on our cleanliness. Roofers have a notorious reputation for being dirty or uncaring, but we are the complete opposite. We treat every project and every home as if it was ours.
2.)What are the most common types of siding?
Here on Long Island and in Suffolk County, the most common type of siding we both see and install is Vinyl Siding and James Hardie Siding. They’re both the top industry products and we’re proud to be able to install them. We also install Certainteed Cedar Impression Siding which is absolutely gorgeous, but can be quite pricey due to the manufacturing process and the detailed labor.
3.) What type of Siding should I get?
This is completely up to preference-which makes it the hardest part. We would base it off a few principal factors- price, climate, energy efficiency, and longevity. We’ll break it down into categories below.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl Siding is easily the most price effective option available. Vinyl siding will typically last up to 25 years without maintenance or anything. If you occasionally power wash it to get rid of grime and dirt, it can last up to 40 years. If you have minor damages, you can also repair or replace it yourself. You can find the material in almost any store like Lowes if repairs are needed in the future. Now for the climate. In rare occasions, vinyl can sometimes melt in extremely hot weather. It’s very rare here on Long Island and in Suffolk County to see or experience something like this. It can also melt extremely easy if a grill is used close to the siding and will warp easy. We have seen once as well where the neighbor had a fire so harsh that it melted the vinyl siding of the house next to that was nearly 50 feet away! There is also insulated Vinyl Siding, which offers a R-value of up to 4, which simply means better climate control and better energy efficiency for your home.
Fiber Cement Siding
James Hardie Siding has a 30-year product warranty and a 15-year paint finish warranty. You can expect James Hardie Siding to last a minimum of 30 years, but most likely it will outlast you. You won’t need to put in much maintenance, but it may need a new coat of paint after 15 years. It is amongst some of the most beautiful siding widely available for homeowners and will 1000% increase your home’s curb appeal. Hardie board siding is 90 percent sand and cement, meaning it is fire resistant unlike wood siding and other options. It is also extremely resistant against rain, sleet, and snow. The cons of Hardie is that it’s more expensive. It is a heavy material and very labor-intensive to install. It is a more energy-efficient choice in comparison normal wood and vinyl siding.
Cedar Impressions
Certainteed Cedar Impressions are in a league of their own in terms of beauty. Real wood siding has a number of risks; Rot, termites, mold and mildew build-ups and aging. Cedar impressions capture the charm of real wood with none of the downsides. With the ability to maintain the appearance of real wood siding without any of downsides of real wood, they are a popular choice for many homeowners in Suffolk County and on Long Island. They provide great value in terms of energy-efficiency and are super low maintenance. There are also a wide variety of styles, and we recommend you view our gallery and Certainteed’s website to see more options. The cons are the costs and labor. This siding is custom made according to the tastes of each client and can take a bit of time to be manufactured, and the installation process requires a skilled team of professionals. If there are damages, it is impossible to fix alone or in sections.
4.) What color should my siding be?
Maybe I spoke too soon, because perhaps color is the hardest part to choose. Again, it is completely up to the preference of the homeowner. However, when you work with Keenridge, we will bring you various panels and brochures with all the types of siding we offer and materials so that you can feel and see the siding in person. We also recommend going to a showroom to see the material on a larger platform with all the smaller details alongside it, such as trim work and various other details. If this is something the homeowner is interested in, we can happily arrange an appointment with the nearest showroom so that you are fully confident going into your siding project.
5.) When is the best time to replace my windows?
The best time to replace your windows is when you are also replacing your siding; this allows the best possible flashing and water infiltration protection. This allows our siding crew to wrap the windows so that they properly tie into the vapor barrier on your home. We always recommend that homeowners replace their windows and siding at the same time. Keenridge offers any windows that the customer would like with any number of grid designs and colors, but we commonly install Anderson Windows in the 400 series and Pella Lifestyle windows here in Suffolk County.
If you’re looking to build or upgrade the home of your dreams, contact us today or call us at 631-609-0409 for a free consultation. We also perform Roofing Replacement, Framing, and Gutter services here in Suffolk County.
Expert Level Craftsmanship & Unbeatable Pricing
Thinking about or ready to upgrade the roofing, siding, or windows of your Long Island home? Enjoy the stress-free process of working with the best at Keenridge Construction! Call us at (631)-609-0409 or email us at keenridgeconstruction@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to provide any answer to questions you may have about your roofing or exterior project needs, as well as schedule a free estimate and consultation!