More Siding questions

[goose89]

Thanks for everyone's help thus far.

I've been traveling down the house siding routes (vinyl to James Hardie, to LP smartside, down both pre- and post finished "streets,") and have arived at Steel Ave. BUT, I'm concered with color palette and fading. I know everything comes with it's pros and cons.

I wasn't aware of the PVC and Entex coating with EDCO steel siding. Any words of wisdom, experience, advice would be appreciated.

Right now I'm frustrated with the lack of a medium green "sage" color on the EDCO site. Either very dark (Entex) or spring (pastel)green with PVC coated. OR, do these colors look significanly different in real life.

In that case, we get to go around looking at more houses, I guess. The problem is, the more houses I look at, the more stuff that goes through this crazy mind of mine. I really want to make a decision soon that both my wife and I are happy with and won't regret. Thanks in advance.

Goose

[sparcebag]

If I were siding my house---and I'm soon to build one,My first choice would be cedar lap,has upkeep,my 2nd choice would be T-111 5/8s 4x8 sheets has more upkeep,My 3ed choice would be the concrete fiber lap also upkeep and I dont know of any that is been installed painted and on for a number of years to make a informed decision.My personal view is I'd stay away from Vinyl,Steel Why? I just dont like the look and laps,and weary of fading.

[Nutty Fisherman]

Anything fades with time. Even paint.

[Hafnutz]

I resided with white vinyl. When it fades it just turns...white. And the color won't go out of style.

[goose89]

thanks for the replies. Everything fades, yes. Steel maybe more than others. BUT, evidently, the PVC coated steel can be painted over, b/c of the pvc coating. Anyone with any experience with that, I'm listening.

I had white vinyl on a previous house. Probably didn't fade, but still wouldn't get it again. I hate cleaning / scrubbing more than I hate painting.

[goose89]

roofer,

any experience with these or words of wisdom?? Thanks either way with your help thus far.

goose

[Roofer]

I don't know what to recommend to you. I have Edco steel and I think it is great, otherwise I would not have used it. You may have a hard time finding someone to do steel though. The labor is higher priced and takes longer. Some of the new Vinyl is also very good. The color goes straight through and has UV protectant on the ouside. There isn't anything that I know of that has mold and mildew protectant on it.

Maybe not worry too much. I'm sure whatever you choose will be great, if you have a good install.

It seems you are kinda set on the lap siding, so I don't want to try and talk you out of it. Have tried with some and they are just never happy.

Siding companies are trying to get away from dark colors mainly because they fade much easier.

Keep in mind, nothing will last forever and everything is going to fade. If it did, there would be alot of us going out of business. There are better products than there was before (UV coating, .046 and higher vinyls, etc...), but nothing is going to be perfect.

[Roofer]

Also, remember I am biased with what I choose to be the best. Most Contractors are the same. Everyone has a preference, and reasons why. You have to get the info you can and make a decision on what you want.

[goose89]

Roofer,

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I'm pretty sure we're gonna go w/ steel. I've never liked getting something that isn't proven. But I do like to have the lastest, if it's "bullet proof." LP / JH doesn't seem to have the "bullet proof" PROOF yet.

What do you know, good or bad, about EDCO pvc and/or Entex. I understand basic differences(pvc 4mm and the Entex 1mm, and Entex has longer fade "warranty", but more easily scratched). Can you really get a decent paint job with the PVC coated steel 10, 15, 20yrs down the road, or just sales talk? Thanks again.

Goose

[Roofer]

I can't answer your question with first hand knowledge because this stuff is still rather new.

Things I know for sure.........

1. Steel will last 50 years.

2. I have seen it fade, but that is the older stuff, after 30 years, but it is still up. This was a dark blue color. Lighter colors are always better.

3. Steel can get scratched, but it doesn't break. It also takes hail much better than most siding.

4. It may be hard to find an installer. As we say, "it takes twice the sider to install steel over vinyl". It is much less forgiving on install.

5. Expect to pay almost double the price of vinyl.

Edco seems very strong and easiest to work with while having a good solid panel. There may be others that are just as good or better, but this is what I like. Some steel is very strong, but very hard to work with, being it doesn't snap into place as well.

You could go with steel and add some style with some PVC shakes on your gables, if you like that type of thing.

I could go on all day, why one is better than the other, but it comes down to the look you want. One thing is that steel comes in 12 ft lengths, and vinyl can be had in 25 ft lengths. Yes, there is seamless steel, but that is barely considered steel IMO, because it is so thin. Everything has it's plus and minus's.

Sorry I couldn't answer your question better. Maybe someone else has another idea.

[Roofer]

Sparcebag, we had T1-11 on our cabin for a few years till we upgraded to steel.

[Roofer]

Also, on my house and a few others, I used double 5" dutchlap. looks real good and comes out better than the double 4".

[sparcebag]

 Originally Posted By: Roofer

Sparcebag, we had T1-11 on our cabin for a few years till we upgraded to steel.

Ya after being a carpenter soo long I just like wood,cedar at 1 buck a lin.ft.may be my choice.

[Roofer]

I hear ya sparce.

[Roofer]

Some shakes we recently put on. Added wood and wrap around window and the breeze board look by the soffits.