Frequently Asked Questions

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Vinyl siding continues to be the Number 1 siding material installed on homes across the US and Canada. Its so overwhelmingly popular because this is the most affordable siding type, which even the most budget-conscious homeowner can install. Vinyl siding options boast a nearly endless number of colors and styles, as well as very low and easy maintenance.

Pros

Because vinyl siding is a man-made, fabricated material, it can replicate a host of more expensive options. For this reason, it is well-suited to a wide variety of architectural house styles, that can range from contemporary to ornate Victorian or distinctive Craftsman homes.

Cons

Vinyl siding has a number of notable disadvantages. It’s not as long lasting as other more expensive materials. It tends to fade, crack and buckle, especially in regions with persistent inclement weather. Cheaper products have a very unattractive visible seam when installed. Lastly, vinyl is one of the least eco-friendly materials; it cannot be recycled and simply sits in our landfills, polluting the earth.

Bottom line – Vinyl siding is and will remain the most “popular” out of all home siding options because of its lower cost compared to other materials.

If you have been searching for a maintenance free exterior product that looks like wood, will last for generations and will give your home or buisness a contemporary appearance, Longboard is the product that you have been looking for. Longboard  a division of Mayne Coatings Corporation is located in British Columbia and manufactures high quality Aluminum siding, soffits, privacy screens and much more.

The cost for Longboard is more expensive than other siding products, however you really need to compare the life of the product and understand that it is a worthy investment that is well worth the price. On average the cost of the material and installing will range from $25-35 per square foot depending on products and options chosen. According to a case study that compared the lifetime cost of Longboard versus wood based on an average 4,000 ft home, Longboard saved homeowners over $22,000 in lifetime maintenance! Just imagine the appearance of wood, without the yearly painting, staining and/or repairing that real wood involves.

Whether you're putting a roof on a new home, or your existing roof requires a total makeover, there are many materials available. But no matter what roof style you have, metal roofs can be an attractive option because of their longevity, minimal maintenance and energy efficiency. Metal roof gives a luxurious look to your house and increase in the value of your house. Material choices include steel (galvanized, galvalume or weathering), aluminum, copper, zinc and tin. Product types are vertical seam, pre-formed panels and granular coated panels. Style choices allow you to have the look of shingles, slate, tile, shakes or vertical panels.

Advantages of metal roofs

Metal roofs offer many benefits, including:

• Longevity. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of roughly 12-20 years.
• Durability. If installed correctly, some metal roofs can sustain wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour, will not corrode or crack and may be impact-resistant (depending on which product you choose). In addition, metal roofs don't need the periodic costly maintenance that other roofing materials often require. However, they should be inspected periodically to make sure no repairs are required.
• Safety. Metal roofs will not spark and ignite into flames during a wildfire or lightning strike.
• Energy efficiency. Metal roofs reflect the suns UV and infrared light rays that contribute to roof surface radiant heat, which can result in a 10-25% reduction in cooling costs.
• Environmentally friendly. Metal roofs not only have 25-95% recycled content, depending on the material used, but are also 100% recyclable at the end of their life as a roof. In contrast, most shingle tear-off waste ends up as part of the building-related waste stream up to 20 billion pounds per year.

Your home’s exterior needs durable, long-lasting siding to protect it from inclement weather, insects and more. Fiber cement and vinyl siding are two popular siding choices that offer this protection, although their properties vary. Fiber cement is a combination of natural products, including Portland cement, sand and wood pulp, while vinyl siding consists of PVC, which is a synthetic plastic also used for vinyl flooring. Find out which performs best in your climate, suits your style and fits your budget.

Vinyl siding and fiber cement serve the same purpose: enhancing the appearance of and protecting the exterior of your property. But there are some key differences to be aware of before making your decision.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is a durable PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sheathing that can mimic natural materials like wood, stone or tile. It’s the same material used in vinyl flooring and is a popular choice for home siding because it’s affordable and easy to clean and maintain.

You’ll find vinyl siding available as horizontal or vertical planks, shingles or faux logs. For colder climates and homes that lack energy efficiency, insulated vinyl siding is available.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement is a blend of Portland cement, sand, water and cellulose fiber (often wood pulp). This affordable, exceptionally durable siding can mimic wood or stone. Fiber cement siding is environmentally friendly and easy to clean and maintain. Unlike vinyl siding, it also tolerates painting and staining.

Hardie Board

James Hardie™ Board is a high-end brand of fiber cement siding called Hardie Plank® that has become so synonymous with fiber cement siding that the terms are used interchangeably, along with Hardie board and Hardie plank. This brand of fiber cement siding is low maintenance, fire resistant, weather resistant and insect resistant. However, it does take longer to install.

Vinyl Siding

Pros:

• Does not need painting
• Color is 100% homogenous (color on top runs all the way through)
• Inexpensive: Vinyl siding costs $3 to $6 per square foot
• Low maintenance: Easy to clean with a garden hose

Cons:

• Ideally needs professional installation: Improper installation leads to inefficiency and other problems
• Shows age and weathering in 10 to 15 years
• Fades with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight
• Painting is not recommended as it peels and cracks comparatively quickly
• Pressure washing can crack the siding and water can enter through new or existing damage
• Siding planks can split or break due to temperature fluctuations that cause expansion and contraction
• Not suitable for patching: If the siding is damaged, you’ll have to replace the entire plank
• Can lower the value of property
• Condensation may become trapped between the siding and the polystyrene insulation board
• Not environmentally friendly: The manufacturing process releases greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxide and carcinogens, including dioxin

Fiber Cement

Pros:

• Durable: Can withstand almost any weather condition
• Tough: Waterproof, fire resistant, pest and insect repellant
• Longest lifespan of any other siding material: High-quality fiber cement siding comes with 30- to 50-year warranties
• Long-lasting color: Up to 50 years with proper care
• Available in different colors and textures: Can mimic wood, stone or tile. Bespoke designs are also available
• Environmentally friendly: Natural materials and sustainable production practices
• Withstands storms, extreme weather and dents and dings

Cons:

• Difficult to install
• High labor cost
• Some maintenance required
• Needs repainting when color eventually fades

Cost

Best for Your Budget: Vinyl

Cost is a deciding factor when you’re working with a budget. To figure out the total approximate cost of siding for your property, you need to work out your home’s exterior square footage.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding costs $3 to $6 per square foot for materials and between $2 and $5 per square foot for labor, which equates to $5 to $11 per square foot for materials and installation.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement siding costs $8 to $15 per square foot, including materials and labor. The materials alone cost between $1 and $15 per square foot, and labor ranging from $4 and $10 per square foot.

Appearance

Best Appearance: Fiber Cement

Your home’s exterior is the first impression visitors get of your property, so the siding’s appearance is important.

Fiber Cement

• Thicker
• Closer to the look of real wood
• Uniform grain appearance

Vinyl

• Shows dirt and imperfections more easily
• Lacks the same curb appeal

Maintenance

Easiest to Maintain: Vinyl

Understanding how much maintenance is necessary before you begin your project is critical to making your decision.

Vinyl

• Needs minimal maintenance
• Requires yearly cleaning, but not with a pressure washer

Fiber cement

• Needs more maintenance than vinyl but stays looking better for longer
• Requires repainting and re-caulking every 5 to 10 years
• Maintains cleanliness and attractive appearance with a yearly washing, but power washing is not advisable

Durability

Strongest in Unexpected Storms & Fires: Fiber Cement Siding

Understanding the durability of each type of siding lets you decide which is best suited to your local climate and offers the best value for your money.

Vinyl Siding

• Becomes brittle with age
• Susceptible to damage from strong winds and hail
• Susceptible to buckling, cracking and warping with temperature fluctuations
• Resistant to mold, rot and insect damage

Fiber Cement Siding

• Can crack while settling
• Resistant to mold, rot and insect damage
• Withstands stormy conditions
• Can withstand moderate impact damage

For Hot Climates

Fiber cement is the best option for hot climates. It’s breathable, doesn’t shrink and expand with temperature variances and handles humidity well.

For Cold Climates

For extremely cold climates, fiber cement is the better choice because it withstands sub-zero temperatures without warping or cracking. If the area is also prone to winter storms, fiber cement is also resistant to high winds and impact damage from hail and debris. However, vinyl has a slightly better R-value (although still low). So whichever option you choose for cold climates, it’s wise to install an insulated house wrap before applying your siding.