Replacing aluminum siding with...(gasp)...aluminum?!?

6 years ago

I'm writing to see if anyone has been in a similar situation and has advice for me. I sure could use it.

The good news: Due to a hail storm, insurance will replace our full house of 1971 aluminum siding. Our insurance adjuster wrote the $20K damage estimate for replacement aluminum siding (.024 thickness). Ugh! The last thing we want to do is put aluminum siding back on our house due to the chalking, upkeep (painting), and denting (we have small children that kick and throw balls around). Plus, it just looks DATED. I know that an insurance company does not care what our house looks like, but I do.

When I talked to the insurance company about allowing us to replace with a nice vinyl or cement board instead, they said that we'd have to prove that aluminum siding is no longer available before they'd pay for vinyl or cement board. They also suggested that we send our sample to ITEL Labs so that this lab could determine what the comparable product is. We'd have to have their documentation as support for our assertion.

The full replacement cost is $20K. We received a check immediately for $13K before even hiring a contractor. We receive the remaining $7K once we submit the final contractor receipt. If we go with vinyl (or better), we risk losing out on the $7K, which I don't want to do.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I've attached a picture of our current 1971 aluminum siding.

Featured Answer

shivece

6 years ago

If full replacement with aluminum siding is $20,000 and your preferred alternative is more expensive, I am confused as to why/how the insurance company can legally justify paying you less than $20,000 no matter what you put on your house. Insurance laws vary from state to state, but refusing to pay legitimate costs to fix your house because you prefer a siding upgrade over aluminum seems punitive to me. Try calling the state insurance commissioner’s office and find out if they are allowed to withhold the remaining $7,000 if you elect a more expensive fix and pay the excess yourself, and if so, why. If your first choice for replacement costs $13,000, fixes your house and is what you want, that does not sound like a problem to me.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

cat_ky
6 years ago
I would prefer the aluminum before vinyl. Your kids dent the aluminum, but, then they will also crack the vinyl.
Related Professionals
Morgantown Home Remodeling · New York City Home Builders · Kankakee Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Mankato Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Amherstburg Home Remodeling · Tucson Kitchen Remodelers · Indianapolis Bathroom Remodelers · Hopkinsville Bathroom Remodelers · Chillicothe Bathroom Remodelers · Bloomington Architects & Building Designers · Nashville Architects & Building Designers · Albany Architects & Building Designers · Belleville Home Builders · McAlester Design-Build Firms · Aberdeen Design-Build Firms
Seabornman
6 years ago
I have no experience with the aluminum sidings on the market, however all metal exterior building products are being coated with much better finishes than years ago. I'll bet you'll be able to get a 20 year guarantee from chalking or fading.
mell_in_va
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all. When I spoke to my insurance company, they said that vinyl would be a downgrade from aluminum, which is why they are so adamant that we use aluminum again. We are trying to get approval for fullback-insulated vinyl which would give us some of the insulating properties of aluminum, apparently (I'm no expert, clearly).
sambah006
6 years ago
I think your insurance company is trying to do you a favor. Aluminum is hands downs superior to vinyl.
lafdr
6 years ago
My insurance company did not pay the full amount until we proved we had done the job. Some people just take the money and do not do the work, so the insurance company holds some $ back til done.