external siding comparison/opinion?

21 years ago

It's wet here and vinyl siding isn't recommended but...

One contractor is recommending a "composite" called Cedar Ridge. I see it's made by Crane who also make 3 other versions the contractor didn't mention. And there is Nalite siding on Bob Vila's site that also sounds like a similar product.

I can't find anything easily on the net comparing these products with each other, with vinyl, or with Hardie Board.

My goal is low maintenance but I'll take painting Hardie board over potential vinyl leaking or looking cheap. The composites though look OK and have long warranties.

One contractor said the trim and soffits would remain uncovered wood if they put the Hardie Board up, the other said they'd wrap the fascia with aluminum and put vinyl over the soffits.

The contractor wanting to use the Cedar Ridge product claimed they'd have to take off the plywood siding that is on the house now and the Hardie Board wouldn't offer any earthquake stability if they used that product, while with the Cedar Ridge they'd leave the plywood up. Current siding is plywood with vertical cedar strips for appearance, with lap siding over the peaks. The plywood offers shear strength for quakes and yes we do have quakes here.

The same contractor says the Cedar Ridge adds R4 value and the Hardie Board offers very little insulation. The bids for either product are similar so they aren't asking for a lot more money for the Cedar Ridge but who knows if their profit margin is larger.

So...Hardie Board, or whatever the composite product is that appears similar to vinyl but supposedly isn't? Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

skeptigirl
Original Author

21 years ago

Eeek! The foamed backed vinyl, aka solid core, went up in flames.

I took a piece of the foam backing from the Cedar Ridge product sample and applied a match. Not only did it easily melt, it went up in flames like a candle wick.

It is most disgusting that the sales guy said it was fire resistant. BIG LIE that was.

So now I'm back to the cement board. Thanks for the info that Hardie wasn't the only product out there.

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Comments (9)

Michael_H
21 years ago
There are vinyl sidings besides what you'll find at Home Depot and other discount stores. Millennium by Wolverine has to be touched for you to know it's vinyl.

If you're considering fibercement, I suggest you check out the Weatherboards product by Certainteed. Look at the features and benefits before you decide on Hardie.

Michael
skeptigirl
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanks, Mike but actually I've been on the net, not at Home Depot. I will add your suggestions to my list of products to choose from.

So what I am having trouble finding is a good source to really compare the products. It's hard to know if the contractor is making an honest, knowledgeable presentation, presenting the product they are most familiar with, or, recommending the one they make the most money on so I'd like another source of information. Any suggestions?
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sawtooth
21 years ago
Two suggestions:

1) As Michael mentioned, there are some excellent vinyl products on the market well worth considering for great looks, low/no maintenance and durability. I have Norandex/Reynolds PolarWall on my home and I can literally bounce a line drive off a wall without leaving a dent.

2) Gather as much information as you can from as many sources as possible, and comb through it for consistency or lack thereof. You can (eventually) learn a lot about what the real deal is by visiting with multiple sources and asking the right questions.
Michael_H
21 years ago
The Vinyl Siding Institute publishes certifications.

Michael

Here is a link that might be useful: Hope this helps
delcogreg
21 years ago
Skeptigirl -

Did you get any pricing for the Crane Cedar Ridge? I checked out their web site and it looks like it has some significant advantages over fiber-cement. When I looked into fiber cement siding like Hardie, it seemed fairly expensive for something that requires regular maintenance. In addition to the issue of painting it, apparently there is often/usually/sometimes(?) a need to re-caulk all of the seams. That doesn't seem like any fun at all.

AS for vinyl - you said, "It's wet here and vinyl siding isn't recommended"

Vinyl doesn't necessarily "look cheap" but apparently in some areas of the country it is definitely frowned upon by many - so much so that people claim installing it will hurt the property value. That is not the case here in the mid-atlantic - usually it adds value because people want a maintenence free home. We had vinyl siding on one home and cracking wasn't an issue, although it was rather noisy in the wind. We did get one hole - when a large german shepherd from next door decided to try (repeatedly) to jump up and get at our cat who was sitting in a window. I also melted it a little when I opened a hot grill lid very close to it. Both pieces were replaced relatively quickly and easily (by a qualified person). On the down side, in areas near the shore that get a lot of dampness, shaded areas tend to get a lot of algae growth on vinyl. I don't know if other sidings fair much better though and it is fairly easy to powerwash it off of vinyl once or twice a year.
judyle
19 years ago
I am trying to decide between 3 estimates I received. Home Depot is highest at $15,500. There product is Ridgwood with Tyvek wrapping, r value of 5. Next 2 local companies, one with Alcoa and Styrfoam, r value 4, at $11,100 and finally company #3 with Cedar Ridge at $10,800. How are they so different in price when I asked for their "Best" energy consering product. All measured the same house. ALl will cover ALL wood. Home Depot uses Tyvek and takes off the storm doors to cover the wood and puts the doors back.
HELP,
Judy
ron6519
19 years ago
They're three different products by three different contractors. Why would you expect the same price point?
Sit back, relax and look at each of the estimates. If you've done your homework you should be able to sort out the choices. If not, continue the research. Rushing into something and making a decision you second guess is not the way to proceed.
Ron
coolvt
19 years ago
Keep one thing in mind if you are dealing with Home Depot.....if there is a problem of any kind, you will end up chasing about 6 different people to get it solved. On their carpet installation this is how it works and I would imagine it's the same for siding.
You start with a clerk at the store. He schedules an independent contractor measuring company who comes to the house to measure. The measurements are send to Atlanta where the "number crunchers" figure a price. The numbers (prices) are sent back to the store. YOu go into the store and they try to contact the warehouse to see if you want is in stock or when it can be available. When that is figured out, they contact a local installer to put it on the house.
Anyway, it's something to consider in the equation. Do you want to deal with that mess?