Compare Siding Types
Q: I'm in the process of putting new siding up on my house and don't know much about it. The hardwood siding I have now is from Masonite and is one of the defective brands covered for replacement by a class action lawsuit. Can you tell me the pros and cons of vinyl, aluminum or even wood siding? And do I want to remove the old siding or just put the new siding right over it? Any ideas on what each will cost? Masonite has offered us a settlement of $6,600 for 1,750 sq. feet and I don't know if that's enough or if we should try for more. Your help is greatly appreciated.
A: As a rule, the best way to compare home improvement products and prices is to contact about three Service Professionals, tell them what your situation is, and have them make recommendations, and give you bids.
Get their estimates in writing, including the specific materials/products by name, and model numbers, if possible, the scope of work, and all warranties offered from the manufacturers, as well as, for their workmanship. Make sure you are comparing "apples to apples" (equal products and services) by having them all give you bids on comparable projects. Once you choose the service professional to do the job, you can always make adjustments and change your mind about specific materials, extra work, etc.
You need to decide what kind of siding you want and determine how much it will cost before you will know if Masonite is offering you enough to cover the replacement.
To locate some reliable siding contractors, visit Home Advisor to be matched with the ideal service professional in your area.
by Kathy Maynard, reprinted courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com