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What is Lap Siding?

If you are a homeowner who is working with siding contractors on your next renovation project, you have likely had the term lap siding come up. But what is lap siding? Very simply, it is siding that is made of long boards laid horizontally to overlap each other. This simple definition, however, can get a little more complicated when you take into account the options for materials the boards can be made of and the several ways they can be made to overlap. Here is a brief overview of these many options, and their benefits for your home.

Materials

For much of the history of this style of house siding, lap siding has been made of wood. Today you can still install wood lap siding, but you can also look into vinyl, fiberglass, or fiber cement options. Fiber cement is an increasingly popular material because it is less expensive than wood and more durable than vinyl. It is also low maintenance, typically only needing replacement every 50 years, and can utilize different pigmentation technology that offers homeowners a range of colors without the hassle of traditional paint.

Installation styles

There is more than one way siding can be made to overlap. If you ask home remodeling contractors, they will likely be able to rattle off more than a few – shiplap, channel lap, dutch lap, nickel gap, bevel, and clapboard are some examples. Clapboard is the most common and likely what you think of when you think of traditional lap siding. Each of these installation styles has its benefits, but the main difference is in the aesthetic and what appeals to the homeowner.

Benefits of lap siding

No matter the material or installation style, there are many benefits of lap siding which is why it is the most popular siding in the US. When weighing the pros and cons of lap siding, consider these benefits:

Easy installation – For wood lap siding, it is one of the easiest ways to mill the board. Additionally, other materials such as vinyl and fiber cement are manufactured for ease of installation, which can also help to decrease the cost of siding installation overall.

Excellent water-resistance – The main purpose of siding is to keep the outdoor elements from the vulnerable infrastructure of your house, which if damaged, can lead to costly and complicated repairs. Lap siding does an excellent job of repelling exterior moisture by nature of its installation style. The overlapping of the boards wicks water down and away so water leaks are much less common with lap siding.

Timeless aesthetic – Lap siding has an aesthetic appeal that lasts as long as its materials. It has been the most popular siding style for a long time, and will be for years to come. And as a classic, lap siding is a good investment for any homeowner because it is not likely to go the way of fleeting trends and in turn diminish home value. Lap siding will always be in fashion.

Transform your Siding in San Francisco CA with our expert remodeling services. From simple updates to complete renovations, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has the expertise you need. Contact us for a free estimate and let us help you create the bathroom of your dreams.

Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has been serving the Bay Area since 1983. We are experienced home remodeling contractors, commercial skylight experts & siding contractors. We enjoy working with homeowners & businesses to ensure their vision becomes a reality. Contact us today to get started on your next project!

Mares & Dow Construction

October 11, 2019

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Is It Time to Replace Your Siding?

The siding on your house is the key to preserving the integrity of everything behind it. When your siding is compromised, it can lead to damage to the structure of your house and eventually cause multiple problems inside your home. Unsightly siding can also negatively impact the value of your house, undermining even the best work of your home remodeling contractors. But how do you know when you need to replace your siding? Here are four signs it’s time to go out with the old and in with the new.

Pervasive dry rot

Dry rot is caused by fungi that eat away at wood siding, causing it to decay and crumble. You may notice your siding is cracked, brittle, or depositing spore dust. If this sort of damage isn’t already visible to the naked eye, it can be detected by knocking on your wood siding to see if the wood has become soft or spongy compared to undamaged wood. If dry rot is localized, the affected area can be treated before the fungus spreads. However, if the damage can’t be contained in this way, it is time to replace your siding. Non-wood siding materials can help you to avoid this issue in the future.

Cracks, gaps, bulges

Like dry rot, these siding issues are important to take care of before they lead to further damage to your home. Cracks and gaps in siding allow moisture to reach the materials that make up the infrastructure of your home, which can result in costly problems and necessary repairs. If you also notice bulges or warped siding that doesn’t lay flat, this may indicate that the infrastructure has already been damaged. Inside your home, you might even notice mold or mildew, peeling paint, or drafts around wall fixtures. Siding contractors are skilled in identifying and remedying these harder-to-detect issues.

Too high-maintenance

If you find yourself needing to spruce up your siding with a power wash or a fresh coat of paint more often than you’d like, it may be worth looking at more low maintenance and higher quality siding options. Quality siding should last several years without fading or losing its shape, and in general vinyl siding doesn’t require the same upkeep as other siding materials. When the demands of maintaining your siding are more than you want to deal with, consider replacing it with a siding material that is more your speed.

Faded color or just out-of-date

No matter how great the interior of your house looks, if your siding is severely faded and discolored, or it looks like it is from a bygone era, your home value is not what it could be. Today’s siding comes in a range of striking colors and styles that can immediately improve the curb appeal of your house. Additionally, when you take advantage of modern siding options, you benefit from materials that are engineered to last and increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has been serving the Bay Area since 1983. Our general contractors are home remodeling experts and enjoy working with homeowners as they start the process with their next project. Contact us today to get started on your home remodel!