Siding Remodeling
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Brick Exteriors
Brick can last a century. Because it's made from fired clay, brick doesn't burn and is not susceptible to dry rot. If brick is not part of your original structure, then adding brick is typically accomplished by installing a brick veneer, also known as brick face, which are not full complete brick blocks. Maintenance of actual brick involves repointing, that is replacing mortar in between the bricks. Mortar is a mixture of cement, water, lime and sand. Stucco can be applied by a variety of methods, but hand-troweled is considered to be the best. It can be smooth, rough or somewhere in between. Stucco needs to be water tight. If water seeps under the stucco, it will separate the material from the home. In a virgin application, stucco is spread over wire mesh, wood slats, paper and sheathing. Like mudding, drying in between coats is recommended. Re-stuccoing is permissible over original stucco. Vinyl siding is made of PVC or polyvinyl chloride and comes in a variety of colors. The panels are installed from the bottom row up by nailing galvanized roofing nails through the slots in the panel, exposing the nail head so the panels can move. The vinyl expands and contracts in hot and cold weather and must slide freely from side to side. Two main advantages to vinyl are it's inexpensive and never needs painting.
It's hard to tell the differences between aluminum siding and vinyl without touching it as they look similar to each other. Aluminum siding became popular after World War II; however, the color can fade and, unlike vinyl, aluminum can be dented. It also expands and contracts, depending on temperature. Aluminum siding can be painted, and experts recommend oil-based paint over latex. Wood siding is manufactured in a variety of types such as shake, clapboard, singles or lap. Panels are applied vertically or horizontally, and finishes range from stains to paint to sealants. Wood siding should be installed over a moisture barrier and some contractors suggest priming the back of the wood and its sides to prevent water from seeping into the wood. Although wood is beautiful, it requires maintenance and can rot. Covering the exterior of your home with log siding can make it look like a log home without rebuilding the home. Log siding comes in quarter logs and half logs. The finishes are smooth, knotted or, for that authentic log-home appearance, hand-hewn. Some log siding isn't even wood, but resembles wood and is available in vinyl or steel. Common wood choices for log siding are pine or cedar.
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