Five Tips for a Great Home Exterior Makeover

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Jun 18, 2015, 11:49 ET

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Whether you're looking to improve your home's curb appeal out of choice or necessity, here are five tips from the PBS series "For Your Home" host Vicki Payne:

Residing your home with vinyl siding is a smart investment. Compared to all other cladding, it has the lowest installed cost (both materials and labor) and unlike other cladding, vinyl siding does not need additional investment over the life of the product.

With improved aesthetic qualities and performance of today's vinyl siding, trim and accessories, it's increasingly popular for its ability to suit a sweeping range of architectural styles and design tastes

Check for damage. After a long, hard winter, your wood or fiber cement siding may be swollen, cracked, pitted, peeling, or even fading. These can be signs of freeze/thaw or water damage and the affected areas will need repair or replacement. If you have vinyl siding you know you can skip this step because PVC-based products do not absorb water, and vinyl siding's rainscreening design won't trap water behind the cladding either.

Make a statement. You can repaint your wood or fiber cement as you've probably already done at least once since you've owned your home. You could also consider a one-time residing renovation with vinyl or insulated siding and keep that "just painted" look for as long as you own your home (with a regular cleaning of water, dish soap and soft bristled brush). While there are literally hundreds of colors to choose from, consider colors indicative of the architectural style of your home. Sound boring? Make your statement with complementary, bolder or brighter colors on trim pieces, shutters, or the door itself. Not sure what's authentic to your home, check out the architect's guide to Designing Style.

Make it last. We have one, maybe two major renovations in us, so our choice of materials needs to stand the test of time – no one wants to be surprised with costly repairs. Many cladding manufacturers claim that their products last, but there's no independent validation and the warranty doesn't match those assertions. Nearly 98 percent of the vinyl siding sold in the United States is certified to meet or exceed standards for quality, such as color retention, and performance, such as withstanding 110 mph winds. Those products are validated by a third-party, accredited quality control agency. Each manufacturer offers its own warranty, but generally speaking those warranties cover the original owner for a lifetime and 50 years from the date of installation for subsequent owners.

Make it save energy. We know that siding enhances curb appeal and is your home's first line of defense against Mother Nature, but there are innovations in siding that can actually reduce your energy consumption. Insulated siding wraps your home in continuous insulation, preventing heat or air conditioning from escaping through the studs; your home stays cool in summer and warm in winter. This interactive map provides details of local energy saving rebates and tax incentives.

Choose a certified installer. If not installed properly, all cladding will be vulnerable to damage over time. Vinyl siding is the only exterior cladding with a certified installer program with validation by an independent, third-party administrator. Certified installers have years of installation experience, knowledge of proper installation techniques consistent with the industry-recognized installation standard, and have passed a rigorous certification exam. Visit www.vinylsiding.org to find a certified installer in your area.

For more information, visit www.vinylsiding.org.

Video - https://youtu.be/q-Tr2js-72M
Image - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150618/224125

SOURCE Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc.