(ARA) - Most homeowners don't wake up one morning and decide, "Today,
I am going to put new siding on the exterior of my home." It's a decision
that usually takes some research, thought and procrastination. After all, your
home is one of your largest and most prized investments.
The biggest decision is whether to keep it the same or select a durable,
maintenance-free siding. Today, there are many options, but be aware, some do
have their limitations.
Before the many innovations in the siding industry, most homes were sided
with wood panels and then painted. Although relatively durable, painted wood
siding has many disadvantages and is maintenance intensive. It needs to be sanded,
primed and painted every few years. If not, moisture can penetrate the exposed
wood and cause it to rot. What's worse, insects and small animals can get behind
rotted siding and possibly cause damage to the overall structure of the home.
Fiber cement siding is a relatively new siding application in the United
States. It can be awkward to handle and is relatively fragile, especially when
wet. If it is installed wet, it will shrink, leaving portions of the home exposed
to the elements and requiring the siding to be replaced. Fiber cement siding
only comes in 12-foot lengths. The weight of a panel over 12 feet long is too
heavy and difficult for one person to handle. The numerous splices need to be
caulked and the siding needs to be primed and painted like wood siding every
few years.
Vinyl siding hit a high point in the 1970s because it was a cheap siding
alternative, but it is losing its popularity. Vance and Kathryn Gillies had
vinyl siding installed on their home. At the time, Vance thought he had researched
the product thoroughly. However, during a hail and windstorm, their vinyl siding
suffered extensive damage. Wind had blown off some of the siding panels and
hail drove large holes through the vinyl.
"It was supposed to be a lifetime investment," says Vance Gillies.
"We weren't supposed to have any trouble with it for the rest of our lives,
but the warranty was the same as the vinyl --- a nightmare. There were no local
reps to deal with and the warranty specifically said, ?Don't call us to check
on the status of your warranty.'"
Because of all the problems they had with their vinyl siding, the Gillies
immediately started looking into other options. They decided to go with seamless
steel siding, which virtually eliminates the hassles of the other products.
It is durable and can be installed at any length eliminating ugly seams.
The company the Gillies decided to go with, ABC Seamless, manufactured their
new siding right on the jobsite. It was customized to fit the exact dimensions
of the home.
The durability of seamless steel siding has been proven in some of the harshest
environments. When a tornado ripped through the small town of Bradgate, Iowa,
home exteriors of all types were put to the test. Sustained winds of 150 miles
per hour turned the town upside down, literally.
Tate Satern, owner of ABC Seamless of Humboldt, Iowa, surveyed the damage
first hand. "Thirty of the 42 homes received extensive damage," says
Tate. "Of the 12 homes that had minor damage, I believe six of them had
been sided with ABC Seamless steel siding. The power of the tornado was amazing.
I think the steel siding helped save those homes and thankfully nobody was seriously
injured," he adds.
Twelve hundred miles away in Los Alamos, N.M., Ruby Meaders' home was caught
in the middle of a raging wildfire.
"When the fire was going on, I was in Albuquerque at my daughter's house,"
explains Meaders. "I was looking at this inferno on the TV and wondering
what was happening to my town, my neighborhood and my house.
"When I returned home, I was stunned and grateful to see my own house
still standing," states Meaders. "I couldn't understand why all of
the other homes around me were gone, but I attribute mine being saved to my
seamless steel siding and steel roof. There isn't a house nearby, none across
the street and none to the east or west of me. I have a lifetime worth of memories
in my home and they were all saved thanks to my steel siding and roof. I am
so happy with ABC Seamless steel siding and I would highly recommend it to everyone."
When investing in siding, it is important to compare companies and ask questions;
talk with other homeowners who have had their homes sided by these companies;
and, most importantly, compare what the siding is made of and how it is applied.
ABC Seamless Siding, "The Siding Without the QUACKS!" manufactures
seamless steel siding, seamless steel log home siding and seamless steel gutters
on the job site. The company also installs metal soffit and fascia on residential
and commercial buildings. The National Franchise Headquarters is based in Fargo,
N.D. ABC Seamless Steel Siding has 136 franchises in 35 states. Visit the company's
online showroom at www.abcseamless.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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