FAQs
SIDING FAQs
In a way, it's almost no contest. When compared to wood, brick, stone, stucco, and metal sidings on the basis of initial cost, maintenance costs, appearance, durability and value, vinyl siding is clearly superior.
Preservation offers a broad range of vinyl siding products, so you can choose one that's easily affordable. Whichever you choose, you can expect the highest quality and lasting beauty. And Preservation vinyl siding never needs painting or staining. It doesn't chip, peel, dent or rot, so you can forget costly repairs. Just rinse occasionally with a garden hose.
In addition, Preservation vinyl sidings are backed by a strong Lifetime Limited Warranty*. And because vinyl is the preferred siding for more and more homeowners, it retains most of its installed cost. Moreover, Preservation premium vinyl siding provides all the beauty of expensive wood sidings with your choice of smooth or grained surfaces; rich, low-gloss colors; and a variety of classic siding profiles.
Maybe you're tired of dealing with peeling paint and rotting clapboards. And you wonder, "Will another coat of paint really hide the weather-worn condition of my wood siding? And even if it can, is it worth the cost?" Or maybe you're thinking about replacing warped hardboard siding...or getting rid of dated asphalt or asbestos siding...or eliminating dented metal siding...or giving a fresh, contemporary look to masonry walls.
Then now's the time to switch to the easy-care beauty of Preservation premium vinyl siding. A wide choice of styles, colors and trim options makes it simple to create the look you want for your home-whether it's a contemporary colonial or a 120-year old farmhouse.
New siding will rejuvenate an older home, give it a completely new look and significantly reduce costs for home upkeep and maintenance. For 50 years, Preservation has been helping millions of Americans create homes that match their dreams and fit their budgets. And with a full range of trim, soffit and accessory options available in a host of different decorator colors, virtually any look can be achieved to improve the appearance and durability of your home's exterior.
If you plan to move within the next three years, the answer is probably "yes." But if you plan to stay in your home longer than that, the calculations begin to heavily favor vinyl siding.
Of course, if your home has special problems-for example, warped clapboards that have to be replaced or lead-based paint that has to be scraped and sanded off-the cost of painting can become truly staggering.
According to Remodeling magazine (October 1996), investing in new siding can prove to be an excellent choice in terms of payback. In the West, a homeowner can recoup 65% of the cost of siding in terms of resale value added to the home. In the East, the payback is 76%. In the South, it's 84%. And in the Midwest, the cost recouped is 69%.
Compare the ongoing costs of painting every three to five years to a one-time investment in new vinyl siding. For most homeowners the conclusion is obvious-vinyl siding is by far the better long-term value.
Not when it comes to siding. Vinyl siding's outstanding features and benefits have made it the most popular siding material in America today. And because vinyl is the preferred siding for more and more homeowners, it retains most of its installed cost (see previous question for details). It's the material of choice on new luxury homes...and the first choice for remodeling projects large and small.
Leading manufacturers such as Preservation offer a broad range of vinyl siding products, so you can choose one that's easily affordable. Plus, Preservation vinyl siding never needs painting or staining. It doesn't chip, peel, dent or rot, so you can forget costly repairs. To maintain a like-new appearance, just rinse occasionally with a garden hose.
And Preservation vinyl siding offers flexible design options that make it ideal for contemporary homes...and for stately century-old Victorians. You can choose from smooth or grained surfaces; rich, low-gloss colors; and a wide variety of classic siding profiles-plus low-maintenance trim products and accessory options that add to both the beauty and value of your home.
What's more, Preservation vinyl sidings are backed by a strong Lifetime Limited Warranty*, so you can count on getting all the quality you paid for.
Exceptional beauty. Durability. Economical price. Easy maintenance. Long-term value. Outstanding warranty. If these are your criteria, there's no better choice than vinyl siding from Preservation.
In terms of adding resale value to your home, vinyl siding is one of the best investments you can make. In its annual survey of project cost versus added value, Remodeling magazine said that "the highest payback comes from projects that give an older home the same features that have become standard in new homes."
Exterior improvements such as the installation of vinyl siding also make a home more attractive on the market. According to a real estate agent interviewed by Remodeling, "Things like new siding and new windows will not add dollar for dollar value...(but) they will cause the house to sell quicker for more money."
Another point to keep in mind: if, like many homeowners, you add insulation to an older home at the same time you're having vinyl siding installed, you add even greater value and market appeal to your home.
Vinyl siding is one of the most versatile exterior design products you can work with. Preservation, for example, offers many different vinyl siding lines. That broad selection lets you choose among a wide variety of design options, including horizontal and vertical siding; traditional clapboard and authentically detailed "shaped" sidings; wide and narrow panel exposures; smooth, subtle and deep wood grain textures; plus a wide assortment of traditional and contemporary colors.
Not sure what "exact look" you want? Just check out the many styles that are available, right here on our Website. Or for more information on using Preservation vinyl siding to create a beautiful, affordable, easy-care home, call a local siding contractor who sells and installs Preservation products. Ask for a copy of Preservation Trim and Accessories or Preservation's Color Guide for Your Home's Exterior. Both are filled with ideas and suggestions that can help you plan your special remodeling project.
When you design the exterior of your home, you should think about more than just siding. You'll need trim for windows and doors, and at inside and outside corners. You also may need soffit to finish the underside of eaves, or for a porch ceiling or entry overhang.
With Preservation, creating a finishing touch that sets your home apart is easy. Because Alside offers a complete range of easy-care accessory and trim options. Standard trim lets you merge siding and trim pieces to create a balanced, uniform look. Trimworks® decorative accessories provide the premium look of hand-crafted beauty. These trim products give you an exceptional way to add special elegance at windows, doors, corners and other key accent areas.
Preservation even offers easy-care replacement windows and shutters. In fact, no other vinyl siding company offers you as many trim and accessory options. That's why Preservation is the first choice among homeowners who really want choices.
Sure. Vinyl siding is extremely versatile and can be used with just about any exterior building material-brick, cinder block, even natural logs and field stones.
If you have special installation concerns-such as running vinyl siding along a natural stone chimney, for example-talk to your contractor. He's probably handled a similar installation in the past. If he hasn't, he always can get detailed installation instructions from an Preservation technical specialist.
As a homeowner, that's important. Because it means you're working with a professional team-a qualified contractor with a knowledgeable, experienced technical support group behind him.
Absolutely. The correct technical name for the material used in vinyl siding is polyvinyl chloride. It's a strong, durable, proven material that has earned a solid reputation for its beauty and permanence. It's used in automotive applications, medical devices, defense weapons, appliances, floor coverings, and of course, home construction.
It's ideal as an exterior material because vinyl siding doesn't rot, crack, dent or warp. Plus it never peels or blisters. And because the color goes completely through Preservation siding, it never has to be scraped, sanded or painted.
First and foremost, make an informed decision. Require references and look at previous work. Word-of-mouth recommendations from neighbors or friends who have recently re-sided their houses are an excellent start. You may also want to ask about liability insurance, customer satisfaction policies and professional credentials.
The relationship you have with your contractor is extremely important. Choose someone whose skills you trust, someone qualified to perform the task required, and someone you can work with comfortably.
It's simple. There really is no maintenance, just occasional cleaning.
Ordinarily, the cleaning action of a rainfall will be adequate to wash your vinyl siding. However, vinyl siding and soffit should be washed periodically by hosing with a garden hose and clear water, particularly in those areas not exposed directly to rain. If you desire to do a more thorough cleaning, or where high soil collection conditions occur, use a soft-bristled, long-handled washing brush. It attaches to your garden hose and makes washing your siding easier.
Do not rub vigorously. This may create glossy areas over the vinyl siding finish. For hard-to-remove dirt, such as soot and grime found in industrial areas, wipe the siding down with a solution that's recommended by the manufacturer. If you wash the entire house, start at the bottom and work up to the top, as less streaking will result. It is important that immediately following all washing operations, the entire surface be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water from a garden hose.
Not really. You can have your vinyl siding installed in any season, as your schedule and budget allow. But keep in mind that some contractors are more available during the off-seasons. Regardless of when you have your new siding installed, you'll enjoy the immediate benefits of improved appearance, as well as the long-term benefits of durability and easy maintenance.
WINDOWS FAQs
Basically there are three types of materials used. Aluminum windows, with their easily scratched painted surfaces, conduct both heat and cold, so they're very poor insulators. Wood windows, which require constant painting and caulking, can absorb moisture, making them difficult to open and close. They can even rot. Preservation's solid vinyl windows, however, never need painting and won't show scratches, because the color goes throughout the material. This is why vinyl windows are quickly becoming the most popular choice for both new construction and replacement applications.
In addition, you should certainly consider custom-sized windows for the very simple reason that they'll fit better. Stock-sized windows require extensive carpentry work both inside and outside your house. That can be very costly and inconvenient. Preservation custom-sized windows, on the other hand, are manufactured to fit your existing window opening. You get the style and options you want while maintaining your glass area.
There are two basic types of construction: Mechanically fastened windows are screwed together at the corners. And welded windows, becoming more and more popular, that use a chemical or heat process for joining. Preservation produces mechanically fastened and welded windows. Our mechanically fastened windows feature a unique overlap corner design for extra strength, while our welded versions utilize state-of-the-art heat welding equipment. Beware of windows with mitered corners screwed together or chemically welded corners, as they probably won't perform as well for you.
Certainly, since all Preservation replacement windows are part of Preservation's Window System. You may want to consult an independent design specialist to find the type of window that best complements your home's natural design. No matter what style or combination of styles you choose, however, Preservation can custom-manufacture it all for you.
Not at all. Many companies buy their parts and glass from various outside sources. At Preservation, we extrude most of our own parts from the raw vinyl (PVC) resin ourselves.
You should also know that although a lot of manufacturers claim their windows are American-made, many in fact may be imported from Canada and other foreign countries. We're proud to say that every Preservation window is manufactured right here in the U.S.A.
You should look for a window that offers both superior strength and energy efficiency. Preservation's computer-controlled process ensures a perfectly square window sash and mainframe with superior strength. And for exceptional energy efficiency, a full interlock at the meeting rail helps protect your home against the elements, or unwanted intrusions. In addition, our insulating glass unit traps dry air, creating an exceptional comfort barrier.
Moreover, homeowners with Preservation Window Systems say there's a noticeable reduction in the amount of noise that enters their homes. A full interlock system at the point where upper and lower sashes meet helps stop air infiltration while providing an additional barrier against unwanted intrusions.
Because our frames and sashes are made of vinyl, you can say goodbye to painting and caulking. Preservation windows won't stick, and you don't have to remove storm windows in order to clean them. In fact, you can do it all from inside your home. An occasional wipe with a damp cloth will keep your windows looking like new for years to come.
Be careful when looking at extremely specific results since many of them do not really indicate how well the window will work for you. Some apply to just certain parts of the window, like the glass and its R-value, and do not give an overall picture. Tested in nationally-certified labs and our own modern test facility, Preservation windows are engineered to provide the optimum in energy savings and are monitored by the National Fenestration Rating Council.
Since 80% of a window is glass, real heating and cooling savings come from what is known as "improved glass performance," not a high R-value on the frame. Preservation uses the latest technology, known as a high performance warm edge spacer system. This spacer system helps to improve the performance and the longevity of the insulated glass unit, and is standard on all Preservation windows.
You should give careful consideration to Preservation's EnergyMaxx Insulated Glass Package, featuring Low-E glass and argon gas. Low-E glass is an excellent barrier against ultraviolet rays which fade carpet, furniture, draperies, and even woodwork. Argon gas is colorless, odorless, nonflammable, nontoxic, and above all, a safe, inert gas that is heavier than air.
Not only does argon gas help to increase the energy efficiency of a window, but helps to make your home quieter as well. When Preservation windows are equipped with the EnergyMaxx Insulated Glass Package, they automatically meet or exceed the energy-saving requirements for all four climate zones set forth by the ENERGY STAR® Window program.
The ENERGY STAR® program was created by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers in the recognition of energy-efficient products. This program also promotes the environmental and economic benefits of these products through the ENERGY STAR label and other program activities.
Yes, for a variety of reasons. First, you may realize savings on your heating and cooling bills. Second, they're virtually maintenance-free, which eliminates painting costs. And finally, the transferability of one of the strongest warranties in the business may easily add to the resale value of your home.
Not really. There are as many warranties as there are window manufacturers. Some brand name factory warranties cover just the sash and frame. The rest is left up to the local fabricator who may or may not cover it. Your warranty is only as good as the company behind it. With Preservation, your unit is warranted from the extrusion and parts to the glass and construction by our Lifetime Limited Warranty*, with transferability provisions. It's one of the most comprehensive available, just what you'd expect from an industry leader.
* See printed warranty for complete details.