When to Replace Siding on Your Home?

As you prepare your home for the winter, do you notice that your siding looks less than ideal? Maybe you see some dents, dings, or areas where the old aluminum siding has come loose. Perhaps there are cracks. If your house is painted wood, you may notice peeling, bubbling, or dull areas—even mildewed boards.

Like most Wisconsin homeowners, you probably think, “Well, I guess I’ll have to address my exterior finish problems in the spring…is winter really the best time of year for a siding project?”

If you’re waiting for the best time to replace siding on your home, the answer is—don’t wait for hot weather! You can replace your home’s siding at any time!


You may be surprised to learn that Weather Tight offers siding replacement year-round! Learn all about siding replacement in the winter from Tod & Todd.

 


When Is It Time to Replace Siding?

If you’re starting to notice cosmetic issues with your old siding, right now is the best time to replace siding on your home. Weather Tight works year-round to ensure your home looks great and feels comfortable. We use top-of-the-line siding materials that can help reduce your energy bills now (and protect you from the extreme temperatures of Southeastern Wisconsin winters).

If you’re on the fence about new siding, consider what you may be losing right now in terms of efficiency and comfort. Our vinyl siding is backed with a special insulation board. Not only does the insulation board make the house siding stronger and impact-resistant, but it also provides another layer of protection from cold weather.

In the winter months, we often notice drafty areas that weren’t a problem in the summer months. There may be a spot in your house where you feel air coming in. Or your heating bill has increased, and you notice you need to wear layers indoors. You keep turning up the thermostat, but your house still feels cold.

Homeowners also notice creepy crawly creatures that move indoors during colder months. Damaged siding can lead to bird nests, beehives, and rodent infestations. It’s not something anyone wants to think about, but if you notice signs that pests are getting in, it’s a good time to consider replacing your exterior finish.

Homeowners are often shocked at the considerable difference that new, beautiful vinyl siding can make on their house’s temperature stability and security. Don’t suffer through the season with an exterior finish that causes you stress. One of the main reasons a new siding installation is a good idea is that it gives your house an instant facelift and increases your home’s property value.

Even though you may think winter isn’t the time for home improvements, house siding is an excellent exterior home improvement option that can start paying for itself immediately! Imagine a warmer winter with no cold floors or chilly air leaking indoors.

Start Your Spring Home Improvements Now!

The exterior of a two-story home with gray siding, dark gray single roofing, and windows with white trim along the front of the home. The large home stands in front of a sunny blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

Spring may seem far away right now, but it will be here before we know it. If your spring to-do list includes scraping and painting the exterior of your home’s wood siding, it’s time to shorten the list!

Many older homes feature wood exterior finishes. While these are beautiful, they can be tough to maintain. Paint starts to peel, chip, and look shabby, even after just a season. Slivers end up in tiny hands, and you find yourself risking life and limb on a ladder as you attempt to paint and perform makeshift siding repair.

If your wooden siding is waterlogged, painting can become a futile job. The swollen wood indicates serious damage, and the damaged siding won’t hold paint. Painting your home is an ongoing project that never looks right.

Adding to the issue are all the concerns that can lurk beneath that wooden siding! Take the painting project off your to-do list, improve your curb appeal, and add to your home’s value with new vinyl siding.

Cracked and Damaged Siding is a Bad Look

​If you’re concerned about the look of your home, then it’s likely time to call the siding experts at Weather Tight to take a look. Small cracks can lead to the gradual deterioration of vinyl siding. Not only does it make the outside of your home look bad, but it also makes the inside experience heat loss.

Widespread damage to siding isn’t just a problem during harsh winters. Although your house might feel worse in the winter season, new siding is a great way to keep the cool air in your home in the summer heat. When the spring thaw hits, you’ll avoid water damage that can seep into the cracks.

Our team is great at cold-weather installations. They make the entire process stress-free. We use high-quality materials that stand up to extreme cold and look great in moderate temperatures as well. Even the best siding materials are only as good as the quality of your installation. Our siding contractors aim to get the job right the first time.

Our exterior siding is available in many color choices that resist fading and weathering to stand the test of time. The low-maintenance finish lasts a long time without the common signs of damage and degradation (pinging, fading, peeling, cracks). Unlike older types of siding, vinyl siding can withstand cold temperatures, bright sunshine, and more.

Late fall and wintertime present a great opportunity to beat the rush and work on your home’s curb appeal now. If your siding has seen better days, it’s an ideal time to act.

The Siding Replacement Process

When you call Weather Tight, we’ll schedule an assessment. Our product experts will work with you to decide on the best siding option for your home. We’ll consider your budget, needs, style, and vision for the finish. We’ll walk you through all the choices, answer any questions, and help you throughout the process. We’ll look at your current exterior finish and help identify potential concerns and telltale signs of damage. We’ll also take measurements to ensure you get exactly the right amount of siding for your house.

We do siding replacement all year long. Unless we’re in the middle of a blizzard or extreme weather situation, our crew works every month of the year. Because the project addresses your home’s exterior, there’s no need to worry about planning around cold weather. You’ll be safe and warm inside your home while we work.

When we do a full siding replacement, we remove the old finish and get underneath. This process helps us identify any issues you may have, like mold, rot, or pest infestations. By removing the previous finish, we start with a blank slate and fresh surface for your new siding.

Once your house is cleared of the old finish, we put down a state-of-the-art Tyvek house wrap. Tyvek is a protective one-way material that allows vapor and moisture to get out but keeps the wet, cold weather from getting inside your house. The barrier adds extra insulation and protection to your home. Don’t leave your house vulnerable to freezing temperatures and excess moisture.

We tape off the seams and ensure the house is securely covered. Then, our crew gets to work installing vinyl siding. Our siding is backed with a special insulation board for an additional layer of protection that further helps lower those heating bills.

Better still, vinyl siding is easily customized to get the look you want. The color is built into the vinyl material, preventing fading from the sun and weather. Our siding is available in an array of colors to get the perfect look you’ll love. Choose trim to add the perfect finish and get the right look for your home.

While many homeowners think of siding in the spring, there’s no better time for siding replacement. Whenever your home needs improvement, we’re happy to help. If you’re waiting for warm weather to replace your siding, consider giving us a call today.

Roofing, Siding, or Doors? How to Prioritize Home Renovations

At Weather Tight, we work with people across Southeastern Wisconsin on their exterior updates and renovations. It’s not uncommon to see Murphy’s Law play out—if one thing needs an update, others will follow. So, how should homeowners prioritize home renovations when everything needs an update?

If you need roofing, siding, doors, and windows, how do you choose what to do first? At Weather Tight, we’re here to help.

Image shows a modest two-story home with a shingle roof, light blue siting, and white window trim. The house has a front porch and pay windows and stands tall against a light blue sky with white clouds, and a green lawn.

Highest Need Should Be Your Top Priority

So you’re looking at drafty windows, a door that doesn’t properly close, damaged shingles, and an aging exterior finish. How on earth do you prioritize your exterior updates?

The first way to prioritize home renovations is to look at the area of the highest need. Cosmetic updates can often wait, but updates that impact your home’s structure, function, and comfort should come first.

For example, a door might be a lower priority than drafty windows, but if the door is broken and won’t properly lock, it becomes a safety concern. Damaged siding might be a secondary concern, but a window that doesn’t close is an urgent issue.

If your home is getting older, you might find that several issues seem to crop up at once. It’s essential to consider each exterior update and its impact on your home in the long term.

Prioritize Home Renovations from the Top Down

So, what do you do if all the home projects seem urgent? How do you prioritize between roofing, siding, windows, doors, or another exterior update?

If all issues seem equally urgent, the best guideline is to work from the top down. A leaking, damaged roof can cause many structural problems with your home. You can face issues with wood rot, damage to your insulation, drywall problems, and much more. Starting with a roof update is an excellent way to protect the rest of your home from further damage.

Prioritize preventative measures such as updating gutters. Although gutters may seem like a minor investment, they play an important role in keeping water out of your home’s structure. Here in Wisconsin, we’re especially susceptible to issues like ice damming, which can exacerbate the damage to your roof and gutters.

If the roof seems like a problem that can wait, windows are another critical fix. Generally, it’s less expensive in the long run to replace all the windows at once. Financing options can help you make urgent exterior upgrades now.

Plan for the Future

Many home renovations are preventative investments in the future value of your home. For example, new siding can keep your home warmer, thanks to both a proper installation and the protective Tyvek Home Wrap underneath. Siding removal and replacement can help you discover and uncover other issues lurking underneath your old siding. It can also save you time and money with an exterior finish that requires virtually zero maintenance.

Prioritizing updates might look a bit different if you plan to sell your home soon. A beautiful front door, an eye-catching exterior finish, or quality replacement windows can help you fetch a better price and really add curb appeal.

Likewise, updates to the windows and roof can save you in the bargaining stage, when homebuyers might request that you include them in the price anyway. If your home has any damage, it’s essential to address it before putting it on the market.

If you’re planning on living in your home for the foreseeable future, it’s still crucial to address home updates with an eye to the years ahead. You may assume that putting plastic on the windows every October or wrestling with your sliding door is a hassle you’re willing to live with. But so many homeowners are shocked at how much their updates change their enjoyment of their homes. We almost always hear, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

Investing in your home is wise. It will help you feel more comfortable, happier, and prouder of your house. It will also keep you from sleepless nights spent worrying about your leaking roof or unlocked windows. You won’t need to deal with wood rot or damaged insulation down the road.

What’s more, home renovations can save you a lot of money. Many updates lower your energy bills by improving the ventilation in your home. New windows prevent air infiltration and leakage. A properly installed roof will help your house stay warm in the winter and allow the house to breathe with a soffit and venting. Siding will also add more insulation and improved weather protection. New doors and windows also help your family stay secure and safe—a priceless priority.

No matter the exterior updates your home needs, it’s important to make sure you’re prioritizing and planning to take care of them. If you need guidance and help deciding, please reach out today. Our representatives can help assess which areas of your home have the greatest need for updates, so you can get them taken care of.

At Weather Tight, we know that our best customers are satisfied, repeat customers. We’ll work hard to earn your business, whether it’s for one small update or an entire exterior remodel. Reach out today to discover the difference that exterior updates can make to the comfort and beauty of your home.

Choosing Siding and Roof Colors: How to Coordinate a Look for Your Home

So many customers ask us about coordinating siding and roof colors. What siding and roof color combinations look best? How do you choose? If you’re updating just your siding, or if you’re only getting a new roof, how do you pair it with the rest of your home’s exterior?

At Weather Tight, we work with customers throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and help them find an exterior finish that will blend with their neighborhood while letting their home’s uniqueness stand out. Here’s how to choose coordinating siding and roof colors that complement and complete your home.

Image shows the exterior of a two story house with dark, olive-brown colored siding.

Remember, Quality is Critical, but So is Selection

When choosing siding and roof colors, the quality of the product is the paramount concern (of course). Think of it in terms of any significant purchase. For example, if you were buying a car, you would want to get a color you like, but your first priority is probably the quality. You wouldn’t buy a lemon of a car just because it came in your favorite hue.

Similarly, when you’re selecting exterior finishes for your home, it’s essential that you go with an exterior remodeler that carries high-quality brands and products. Unfortunately, many home remodeling companies have lower-quality products knowing that they won’t be around in a few years when customers need follow-up (or want to explore their warranty terms).

At Weather Tight, we’ve been in business in the Greater Milwaukee area for over 35 years. We’re employee-owned and proud of our success, built on a reputation for quality and trustworthiness. We’re your friends, neighbors, and family, and we plan to be around well into the future, should you need anything down the road.

At the same time, many high-quality products are not always available in a wide variety of colors, but not to worry with Weather Tight. We’ve done our homework to ensure we can provide customers with all the options they want and the quality they desire.

We have many choices in siding (as well as trim), allowing you to get the right look for your home. When you know you’re getting a quality product, choosing the color is the fun part!

Images shows a chart of Weather Tight siding color options ranging from white to browns to blues.

How to Coordinate Siding and Roofing Colors

So how do you coordinate siding and roofing colors? Not everyone has an artistic eye, and with so many choices, it’s hard to know what you want. You may look through the array of options and experience choice paralysis.

Not to worry! Our helpful sales team knows what’s available and can help steer you in the right direction. They come with years of experience helping customers choose exterior finishes that they love and feel proud to call home. Whether you’re looking at vinyl or composite siding or selecting a new roof, they can show you resources that will allow you to get a clear picture of what any finish will look like on your house.

We want you to go into the exterior update experience with confidence in the outcome. If you have questions or concerns, we can show you photos and samples to help you get a complete idea of what you should expect.

There’s also a big impact from trim colors. A soffit or fascia color can catch the eye and change the appearance dramatically. Seemingly subtle differences in color tones depend on the product and the existing finishes you want to pair. Even the landscaping of your yard and shade versus sun can change how an exterior finish looks on your house.

There are no clear-cut rules when it comes to coordinating or matching siding and roof colors (and we’ve seen some unconventional color combinations that look really amazing on the right home). We could tell you that brown roofing goes best with a tan exterior or that red should always be paired with grey and black. But really, the best step is to meet with a specialist who can help you discover and bring your vision to life.

To make a long story short, the best way to choose coordinating siding, trim, and roofing is to reach out and explore options for your unique house. Our sales team is ready to help you discover a look you’ll love. We’ll help you consider the style of your home, surrounding neighborhood aesthetics, and the best options for your budget and particular taste.

Reach out today and discover the exterior finish you’ve been hoping for.

Discover Everlast Advanced Composite Siding: An Innovation in Exterior Finishes

Are you considering an update to your home’s exterior? Whether you’re considering vinyl siding, wood siding, or another finish, there’s a new option in town! Meet Everlast Composite Siding.

Everlast Advanced Composite Siding is taking the exterior finish world by storm, and for good reason—this siding is truly built to last. It’s beautiful, looks natural, and low maintenance. Weather Tight is the only provider of Everlast siding in Southeastern Wisconsin, and we’re proud to lead the charge. Here’s why Everlast Composite Siding should be on your radar.

Image shows the exterior of a home with light siding and red shutters

What is Everlast Composite Siding?

Composite siding is the latest advancement in exterior finishes. It looks like wood with none of the upkeep. Everlast siding is made from a unique mixture of granular minerals and polymer resins with built-in acrylic colorants. The stone and resin formula is proprietary to Everlast siding and is unlike other products on the market.

What makes Everlast Advanced Composite Siding so unique? The siding is impenetrable by water, and it’s perfect for our Wisconsin climate. Wood, fiber cement, and other materials absorb moisture, causing them to swell and contract. In the winter, the freeze and thaw pattern can degrade exterior finishes over time, causing wear and tear.

Everlast siding, on the other hand, holds up to wet weather and temperature fluctuations with strong dimensional stability. Moreover, the remarkable durability of Everlast material can also withstand other extreme weather conditions. Wind, hail, and sleet can come and go, but Everlast will stay firmly in place and resist damage.

Because the UV-resistant color is molecularly fused into the siding, it’s surprisingly fade-resistant. As a result, Everlast siding will continue to look bright and beautiful, day after day, year after year. After a few seasons, some sidings eventually get a dull, muted, chalky look, but not Everlast. This exterior finish will look gorgeous for a lifetime.

Since Everlast Siding is so resistant to wear and degradation, there’s no need to paint your house every few years. Take priming, caulking, scraping, sanding, and painting off your to-do list. This finish is virtually maintenance-free. Wash it off with the hose once in a while, and you’re good to go. You’ll save time, money, and the headache of exterior upkeep.

With all of these great features, you probably assume Everlast Advanced Composite Siding must be heavy, right? On the contrary, it’s surprisingly lightweight, clocking in at about half the weight of typical fiber cement siding. This is a wonderful option that looks stunning on your home. The CedarTouch® finish is modeled from real cedar, making it look authentic and natural. With many popular color options to choose from, Everlast is a homeowner’s exterior finish dream.

The Trouble with Other Exterior Finishes

Everlast outdoes the competition. Wood, vinyl siding, and even other composite siding options can’t hold a candle to Everlast in terms of durability, ease of maintenance, and longevity. This is siding for a lifetime.

Wood siding is subject to swelling and contraction. After a time, wood rots and deteriorates. It requires constant upkeep and yearly touchups to look fresh. After several years, wood siding often won’t hold paint because it has become so degraded and worn. This means painting your home becomes an annual spring chore.


Wood rot can be a problem in many areas of your house. To see the hazards of wood rot around your home, don’t miss this video from Tod & Todd:

 


In addition to rot, wooden finishes are subject to wood-loving pests. The most common in Wisconsin are carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, and termites. We occasionally have carpenter bees and other wood-boring insects as well. These pests are hungry for your home’s exterior, and the only way to fend them off is with pricey pest control.

Everlast is made with inorganic material, meaning these pests won’t feast on your home anymore. Because of our protective installation method, you can rest assured that pests will go elsewhere and won’t invade your house. Stainless steel seam brackets tightly join siding planks. There’s no risk of thermal expansion that opens seams up to weather, pests, and other issues.

What’s more, Everlast will keep your home protected and resistant to all of the hazards of Mother Nature. Before we install Everlast Siding on your home, we put down a Tyvek HomeWrap®. Tyvek is a protective material that blocks air and water from seeping into your home.

Tyvek protection is breathable, which keeps air and water from creeping in and allows moisture to get out of your house. All homes have humidity and vapor from people, pets, plants, cooking, showering, and other activities. Tyvek lets this moist air out, preventing mildew caused by moisture build-up. It also promotes energy efficiency, allowing your insulation to do its job and keep your home at a consistent temperature. It’s another part of our careful installation process.

When should you consider a siding upgrade? There’s no time like the present! We schedule new siding updates all year round. So, if you’re considering a new exterior finish, contact us right away, and we’ll explore your options.

Everlast Advanced Composite Siding adds beauty, efficiency, and protection to your home. You can choose from many different looks and UV-resistant colors. In addition, Everlast offers one of the best warranties in the business, so you can rest assured that it will beautify your home for years to come. Let us show you how a low-maintenance, durable finish can safeguard your home for life. Contact Weather Tight today, or stop into our West Allis, Wisconsin showroom to set up a free consultation and estimate.

How Long Does Vinyl Siding Last?

How long does vinyl siding last? With a quality installation, your vinyl siding can last many years—in some cases, up to 50!

Now, if you’re wondering why the siding on your house right now doesn’t seem to be holding up, there could be a number of reasons. So, let’s explore what you should expect from your siding (and how to tell if it’s time to upgrade to long-lasting vinyl).

Image shows the front of a home with grey siding and black shutters

Exterior Finishes Through the Years

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “they don’t make ‘em like they used to.” In many cases, like furniture, the craftsmanship and quality of older items is often superior to their newer versions. But in the case of siding, the industry has made some significant quality updates, even in the last 20 years.

In other words, this isn’t your grandma’s siding…and that’s a very good thing.

Decades ago, most houses were either brick, stone, or board-and-batten wood siding. Although aluminum siding was invented in the late 1800s, it didn’t take off as a popular exterior finish until the middle of the 20th Century, post-World War II. Aluminum was cheap to manufacture and easy to come by.

Unfortunately, aluminum siding has quite a few drawbacks. Aluminum can fade over time. Even worse, it’s prone to denting. A wayward baseball or a hastily placed ladder can permanently damage your home. Even a hailstorm can create significant pinging, leaving the siding pitted and unsightly.

Moreover, aluminum is loud. Older aluminum wasn’t often insulated, and on a windy day, it gets very noisy. Aluminum responds to temperature fluctuations, too—making loud pops and cracks.

In the 1960s, vinyl siding also took off in popularity, quickly rivaling aluminum. Unfortunately, this early vinyl siding often over-promised and under-delivered. Plastics were all the rage in the 1960s, but the quality varied widely. The PVC used to make early siding was thin, easy-to-crack, and quick to fade.

Today, most mid-century finishes have required at least some updates since they were first installed. Many homes feature a combination of stone or brick with wood or siding accents. Other homes are completely finished in siding, whether wood, composite, aluminum, or vinyl. No matter if it’s trim or the full exterior finish, you’ll likely need to upgrade at some point.

So which exterior finish is best? What is the most durable siding choice? How long does vinyl siding last? The quality vinyl siding materials on the market today are far superior to anything from the 1960s or 70s. It’s affordable and easy to find durable, beautiful, fade-resistant vinyl siding that is created for our Wisconsin climate. Today’s vinyl is the most obvious, superior choice. But it’s essential that you choose your installer carefully and get your siding from a reputable source.

Not All Vinyl Siding Installation is Created Equal

If you suspect your home could use an exterior finish update, you might wonder, will vinyl siding last?

It all depends on the quality of the product and the installation. With the right choice in home remodelers, today’s vinyl siding is one of the most beautiful, maintenance-free, durable choices for your home’s exterior finish. The key is choosing a company you trust to ensure you get the best vinyl siding and installation.

There’s a reason we’re Wisconsin’s most recommend home remodeler. We proudly service numerous counties in Southeastern Wisconsin, making sure our homeowners receive personalized service with top-of-the-line products (like Everlast Advanced Composite siding, one of the most innovative exterior finishes that’s only available through Weather Tight in our area). When Weather Tight does any home update, we thoroughly assess the existing siding and structure. We’ll make sure that we aren’t installing over rotting wood or water damage.


Don’t miss the video below from Tod & Todd, showing how we ensure siding is installed the right way to last for decades.


In most new siding installations, we’ll remove the existing exterior siding, whether wood, aluminum, or old vinyl, and assess the condition underneath.

Some companies try to side right over the top of old siding, but there are several reasons why this isn’t a great idea. Each layer of siding causes the exterior finish to protrude further and further from the windows and door casing around your home. This leaves room for water and pests to get in. It also leaves space for air infiltration.

By leaving the siding on, it’s hard to know what might be lurking beneath the old siding. It’s not uncommon to find wood rot, mildew, or a lack of insulation underneath the siding. The best method is to take the finish back down to the deck. Then we install a Tyvek HomeWrap. The cutting-edge Tyvek material allows moisture out but won’t allow it into your house.

As you may know, houses “breathe.” Warm, moist air must get out of the house so it doesn’t cause mildew and other problems. Every home that contains people, pets, and plants will have moisture. The moisture increases whenever we do activities like cooking and showering. The right insulation layer allows that air to leave the house without damage.

It’s also crucial that the HomeWrap is sealed around the door frames and windows, with careful attention to the corners. We create an airtight seal to keep out water, air, and pests. This greatly improves your home’s energy efficiency, not to mention the comfort and look.

Our vinyl siding is also backed with insulating foam, which helps provide impact resistance and temperature control. When properly installed, vinyl siding lasts for years, looks beautiful, and gives your entire home a facelift.

Our siding is available in many different colors and looks to suit the style of your home. If you’re ready for an update, reach out today. Our Weather Tight team would be happy to discuss the many ways you can beautify and improve your home.

5 Reasons for Removing Old Siding Before Replacement

When they replace siding, a common question that homeowners face is whether they should leave the existing siding up. Do you have to remove old siding before installing new? Is there a logical reason for removing old siding before replacement?

The short answer is that removing old siding is almost always a better idea. Some homeowners may also worry they need to remove the siding themselves before the siding replacement installation, but with Weather Tight, that’s not the case. Should you choose to have the old siding removed, our trained technicians will quickly and safely strip it from the house, so you don’t need to worry about it at all.

Why would removing old siding be such an essential step of siding replacement? Here are five reasons for starting fresh.

Considering siding replacement? Here's why you should always remove old siding before replacement siding is installed

1. To Check for Wood Rot

The biggest reason for removing old siding is to find out what’s going on or lurking underneath. Wood rot, mold, and moisture damage aren’t uncommon, especially if the siding is old or wasn’t correctly installed in the first place.

If you have wood shaker-style siding or if someone painted over old aluminum siding, then you may also see that the paint is peeling or that the siding has become damaged over time. It makes sense to strip the old siding off the house so you can start fresh with a clean surface. By removing old siding, you can address wood rot and other concerns before they get out of hand.

2. To Avoid Pests

Another “surprise” that can lurk beneath your siding? Pests. When removing old siding, we often find nests of bees, squirrels, and other creatures that have taken up residence beneath the siding of a house. When we strip the old siding from a home, we’re able to make sure there aren’t any unwanted stowaways.

At times, bugs, birds, and rodents can damage the home’s walls and chew through pieces of the exterior finish. Carpenter ants and termites can eat away at the wood. We can check for these unfortunate surprises when we remove the old siding and make sure we mitigate the problem before putting up the new exterior finish.

3. To Protect from Future Water Damage

Another reason for removing old siding is that you’ll protect your home from future water damage. When new siding is layered on top of old, the fit isn’t usually seamless. It’s common to see pockets between the old and new siding or see the layers stand away from the house’s exterior, creating an unsightly space.

The spots around windows and doors become gaps where moisture can seep inside. Rain, snow, and even humidity can build up in the spaces and cause problems. When old siding isn’t properly removed, it can become a real issue for future damage, deterioration, and decay around windows, doors, and the foundation of your house.

4. Removing Old Siding Provides a Cleaner Look and Feel

Another reason for removing old siding is that it simply looks better. Layering the new siding over old often causes an incongruent look. The beautiful new vinyl siding often doesn’t match the exact size and shape of previous wood or aluminum finishes.

When you remove the old siding, you don’t need to worry about those loose pieces and gaps. With proper tucking around windows and doors, your home will have a nice, new finish that looks cohesive and put together. If you’re investing in new siding, it’s worth the effort to get it right.

5. To Enhance Your Home with Tyvek Protection

Believe it or not, your home “breathes.” The air is constantly moving around because of the activity that happens inside your home (showers, cooking, breathing, heating, and cooling). The outside air can creep into your home, and the inside air and humidity need to get out. Proper ventilation is crucial.

When we install new siding, we use a Tyvek house wrap underneath. After removing old siding, we add the wrap all around the exterior of your home. The unique material of Tyvek allows air out but won’t let air get in. This keeps your house weather-tight and protected for many years to come.


To learn more about the siding removal process, don’t miss this video from Tod & Todd. They’ll show you how siding removal works and why it’s so important.

 


If you’d like to know more about siding replacement, please contact one of our friendly representatives for a no-obligation quote. We’ll help you learn the benefits of replacing siding and how it can affordably increase the value and comfort of your home and enhance your curb appeal.

 

Aluminum Siding vs. Vinyl Siding: Which is the Best Choice for Your Home?

Look at your home’s exterior. Is your paint peeling? Do you have old, dated aluminum siding that’s dented and damaged? Is your wood siding rotting? Is your stucco finish chipping and dated?

If it’s time for an exterior update, siding is a wonderful option. But what kind of siding should you choose? Between aluminum siding and vinyl siding, what’s the best choice?”

Years ago, aluminum siding was the gold standard for exterior finishes. In fact, when it first arrived on the scene in the 1940s, homeowners loved the durability and ease of installation. Throughout the next several decades, aluminum siding was favored by homeowners as a great option for updating damaged wood, unsightly plaster, and other aging exterior finishes.

Then in the 1970s, advances were made in manufacturing vinyl. Over the last 40 years, vinyl has become an increasingly popular and superior siding option. Vinyl is as affordable as aluminum siding but offers many distinct advantages. If you’re considering updating the exterior of your home, here’s how to weigh the merits of aluminum siding vs. vinyl siding.

Aluminum Siding vs. Vinyl Siding: The Many Advantages of Vinyl

Vinyl Siding

If your paint is peeling, wood is rotting, or your current siding is damaged, you may be considering the merits of siding replacement. Is it worth the effort to paint over the wood or siding, only to have it crack and peel in a few years? Is it better to take off your exterior finish and start fresh, or install siding over your existing exterior?

When your home’s exterior shows signs of wear and tear, it’s typically best to remove the wood or aluminum siding and start fresh. A lot of times, there may be underlining issues that you may not be aware of, causing the reoccurring challenges to your siding. When Weather Tight replaces siding, we usually advise the homeowner to remove the damage and rot, apply a Tyvek house wrap, and update their home with beautiful new vinyl siding. Removing the old, damaged exterior finish helps us determine any issues such as pests or wood decay, usually from water seeping in, and find solutions to ensure your new home’s exterior is secure and weather tight to the elements.

Why is vinyl siding an ideal choice for most home exteriors? Vinyl siding has many advantages over aluminum and other exterior finishes, beginning with cost-effectiveness. Installation, including removal of the old materials, is typically as affordable as aluminum siding, but vinyl is a superior, longer-lasting choice. Vinyl offers energy-efficiency, durability, and lower maintenance, with a lower total cost of ownership over the years.

Vinyl is four times more energy-efficient than ordinary siding, so you’ll see savings on your energy bills. As you may remember from science class, metal isn’t a good insulator—it’s a conductor. Meaning, aluminum siding conducts heat and cold (right into your home). Vinyl, on the other hand, significantly reduces air infiltration.

When combined with a Dupont Tyvek wrap, vinyl siding is airtight. Tyvek is an innovative product that “breathes” with your home—allowing inside air and moisture to escape but keeping cold, wet air out in the winter and hot temperatures at bay in the summer. We add special weatherproofing tape at the seams and around windows and doors to keep your home extra sound.

Our vinyl siding is foam-backed for even better insulation. Because each piece of vinyl siding is thick and durable, it stands up to the weather and the outdoors. The foam-backing and properties of vinyl also reduce noise by up to 50%. In fact, many homeowners tell us they’re surprised at how much warmer their house feels in the winter and how much quieter it is, even near busy roads!

The other advantage of foam-backing is that the vinyl siding is 400% more impact resistant than ordinary siding. Vinyl siding won’t easily dent and can handle a significant impact—so if you have children who like to play ball in the yard, a stray rock from a lawnmower, hail damage, a pesky bird who maybe wasn’t looking out, or just a little clumsy accident, vinyl can take a bit more of a beating than aluminum. Our vinyl siding has a lifetime warranty protection against hail.

Discover the Convenience and Beauty of Vinyl Siding

As a homeowner, you know that safety, comfort, and protection are essential for your home—but let’s not forget about beauty. After all, new siding can give your home a facelift, increase your value, and improve your curb appeal.

At Weather Tight, our siding isn’t made from “regular every day” vinyl. Our thermal composite material is extremely weather-resistant and exceptionally beautiful. Because color goes through the material, vinyl siding never requires painting or updating. It will look newly installed well into the future.

Vinyl siding won’t fade, even after enduring years of the hot summer sun and cold Wisconsin winters. With 21 color options available, you can select siding that will complement the rest of your exterior. Select your preferred trim and create a look that’s unique and gives you that “new home” feel.

Better still, vinyl siding is resistant to pitting, dents, and ripples that are common with aluminum siding. Over the years, there’s only so much you can do to update and fix aluminum siding—corners pop off and get dented, paint starts to peel, and dents and holes are impossible to cover.

The beauty of vinyl siding will last for decades. The lifetime of aluminum siding is around 35 years (and even less if you’re concerned about those dents and dings). Aluminum siding is pre-painted, and after several years the finish oxidizes and turns powdery. You can see an example in the Home Improvement Tips from Tod & Todd video below.


How do you know when its time to replace your siding? Tod & Todd show you the wear and tear on aluminum siding over the years:


Once the paint on your aluminum siding has oxidized, it will fade and appear chalky. Often you can even wipe it off with your bare hand. It’s possible to paint over the aluminum siding, but it frequently chips and bubbles, meaning you may be painting every few years. Vinyl siding typically lasts 50 years, with no painting or updating needed. It’s a low-maintenance solution.

Vinyl siding is a long-lasting exterior finish that any homeowner will feel proud of. If you’re ready to give your home a needed update to a new look, consider vinyl siding. It’s a truly stunning exterior finish. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate. Discover the beauty and affordability of vinyl siding from Weather Tight.

An Exterior Finish You’ll Love: Engineered Wood Siding

Nothing has more of an impact on the look of your home than the exterior finish. It’s a “fashion piece” for your home and can really make or break the curb appeal. There are endless options when it comes to exterior finishes, but almost nothing beats the strong, durable, beautiful look of engineered wood siding.

Now, if you own a home with a wooden exterior, chances are you’re all too familiar with the yearly chore of scraping, painting, and staining your home. If you skip a year or two, your home will start to weather quickly. You’ll notice fading, chipped paint, and uneven discoloration. It really starts to look worse and worse over time. The real problem comes from the issues you might not see with the naked eye. Wood siding can rot, leading to pests or trapped moisture, causing permanent (and expensive) damage to your home.

So, if you’re considering investing in a long-lasting exterior finish solution for your home, here’s why you should consider engineered wood siding. This is an excellent replacement siding option for any homeowner!

6 Benefits of Engineered Wood Siding as an Exterior Finish

Images shows the side of a home with new engineered siding installed

If you’re considering replacement siding, chances are you’re weighing out the pros and cons of many different options. There are many benefits to choosing engineered wood siding as the exterior finish option for your home. Whether you currently have aluminum or vinyl siding, wooden clapboard siding, or another finish, engineered wood is a standout choice amongst home siding options. It will upgrade the look and feel of your house.

Here are six benefits of engineered wood siding to consider.

1. Engineered Wood Siding is More Durable than Many Other Exterior Options

One of the most significant benefits of choosing engineered wood siding is its performance. Diamond Kote™ (the Weather Tight preferred brand) is exceptionally durable. Customers don’t need to worry about touch-ups, paint, or repair to their siding.

Better yet, Diamond Kote™ comes with a 30-year no-fade warranty, guaranteeing it will stand the test of time. Mineral-based pigments are UV resistant, keeping your siding vibrant. You won’t need to worry about the color of your home changing or dulling over time, like painted clapboard. Unlike aluminum siding, engineered wood siding won’t dent and is highly impact-resistant as well. This is siding that will look as beautiful in a decade as it does on the day of installation.

2. Hate Sanding and Painting? Engineered Wood Siding is Lower Maintenance

With no fading, engineered wood siding eliminates an often dreaded task from your yearly home maintenance routine. There’s no sanding, painting, or staining with engineered wood siding. You still get the stunning, natural beauty of a wooden exterior finish with none of the stress.

Diamond Kote™ uses an eco-friendly low VOC proprietary paint, which produces ultra-pure oxide colorants. The result is a stunning finish that won’t fade, chip, peel, or weather over time. If you want a home siding option you can forget about, then engineered wood siding is perfect. You never need to think about it once installed.

3. You Can’t Beat the Beauty of Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered wood siding offers a gorgeous finish many homeowners prefer. Whether you’re updating a dormer or extension on your home or replacing the current exterior finish completely, engineered wood is a truly stunning choice. This siding option looks very high-end and will do wonders for your curb appeal and the overall resale value of your home, as well.

There’s something about the natural beauty of wood homeowners love, but over time wood can deteriorate and become dull. Paint and maintenance are constantly required to maintain the finish. Other “wood look” products may require less upkeep, but they often look fake due to pattern and texture. The realistic wood-grain texture of the Diamond Kote siding looks far superior to the finish of most fiber cement products on the market. You get all the beauty of a natural wood look without the stress or effort

4. Diamond Kote™ Siding Offered Through Weather Tight Features a Great Warranty

Weather Tight stands firmly behind our work and our products. The Diamond Kote™ engineered wood siding comes with an excellent warranty that’s one of the best in the business. This is an investment in the future of your home that you’ll feel great about.

Not only will the new siding protect your home from harsh elements (hot sun, icy wind, snow, and sleet), but this siding will increase the beauty of your home as well. If you’re hoping to boost the resale value of your home someday, an exterior finish is a wonderful investment, and you can easily earn back the money put into the home.

5. Engineered Wood Siding is Rot Resistant

In Wisconsin, the weather throws us a few curve balls now and then. From sleet to snow to sudden downpours, engineered wood siding holds up to moisture and water damage. Diamond Kote™ is rot-resistant. The zinc borate infusion and wax finish resists moisture and ensures your home stays dry and mildew-free.

This siding is a good option for any climate, and there’s literally no place where it isn’t a good choice. That said, here in the Midwest, we often put those types of weathertight claims to the test. This is a product that holds up to anything mother nature dishes out.

6. Customize Your Engineered Wood Siding for a Unique Look

Image shows a collage of before and after photos highlighting new siding on a home.

One other reason why our customers love engineered wood siding is it comes in a variety of styles and colors to match your home or fit with the updated look homeowners may be looking for. There are over 30 colors with custom options and multiple styles. Whether you like the look of shakes, octagons, scallops, board and batten, or even stucco finish, there’s an engineered wood option for you. Better yet, Weather Tight is familiar with the restrictions from many Home Owner’s Associations, so we will help you find a long-lasting finish option to meet the criteria of your HOA guidelines.

We offer a free, no-obligation estimate, where an expert will visit your home, take measurements, and review color samples and swatches. You can view the different finishes and get an idea of how beautiful engineered wood siding will look on your home.


Learn more about the benefits of engineered wood siding by checking out this Tod & Todd’s Home Improvement Tips:

 


If you’re considering replacement siding, it’s a great time to explore your options. Give Weather Tight a call today to view all the siding choices, including engineered wood.

Does Your House Need a Face Lift? It’s Time for Siding Replacement!

Your home is a place you should feel proud to live in. When you view the outside, does the siding look straight, clean, and bright? Or is your home starting to look dated, old, and dilapidated? Is it time for siding replacement?

Most of the time, homeowners approach us for siding replacement due to cosmetic reasons. They want to increase the curb appeal and value of their home, so it needs a little facelift.

And while the look of your home often indicates when it’s time for siding replacement, there are other reasons to replace your siding beyond the aesthetic. Here’s how to tell if it’s time for siding replacement and what the process look likes when you contact Weather Tight.

Image shows a home with light siding and two roof peaks

How to Know if It’s Time for Siding Replacement

When customers approach us, they’re often hoping for a fresh look for their home. They may have old cedar siding that’s faded or cracked. Their aluminum siding may have dents, bubbling, and chipped paint. In Wisconsin, they may have the old “chalet style” homes with cement board and cedar trim (quite a popular look in the mid-twentieth century).

No matter what the current façade of your home looks like, one universal truth applies: if you’re no longer proud of the way your home looks, it’s probably time to consider new siding.

A facelift in the form of an exterior update restores your pride in your beautiful home. New siding increases your curb appeal and can increase the resale value of your house. Better yet, it’s a lower-maintenance solution. Many homeowners are simply tired of the effort and upkeep required to maintain older, deteriorating exterior materials.

Siding replacement also improves the insulation of your home. With breathable Tyvek house wraps installed under the siding, you’ll avoid heat loss and air infiltration. You’ll save energy and keep your home more comfortable with brand-new siding.

There are other underlying factors that siding replacement addresses as well. For example, during the replacement process, many homeowners are surprised to discover rotting, mildewed siding or cement board, insect infestations, small birds, and other critters who have built nests in the walls of their homes. With cedar homes, many homeowners complain about the noise from woodpeckers who want to get at the bugs inside the walls. The solution isn’t to deter the noisy birds but to address the underlying issue of the bugs inside your siding.

We hear many different concerns from homeowners—bugs, birds, cold and uncomfortable rooms. That’s why it’s important to call a professional if you notice any type of concern. Siding that’s falling off, paint that’s bubbling or cracking, and dented or damaged siding all indicate bigger problems.

The good news is siding replacement is surprisingly affordable. Better yet, it’s an investment in your home, giving it an instant modern update. Siding offers effortless upkeep as well.

When you decide that it’s time for siding replacement, you’re investing in the future resale value of your house. You’re also saving yourself the time, energy, and stress that comes from maintaining older house materials. Replacement siding is an all-around smart investment.

Your Initial Consultation: Deciding on Siding Replacement

When you call Weather Tight to consult about siding replacement, we’ll schedule a visit with an expert representative who will come to your home.

During the initial assessment visit, your Weather Tight representative will ask many questions about your needs, wants, and the desired look for your home exterior. They will walk around with you, inspecting and examining your current exterior finish and helping to identify any issues like rot, insect infestations, and moisture problems.

Your Weather Tight representative will also take measurements to determine how much siding is needed for your home. They’ll help you decide on the type of siding to best suits your needs and the timeframe for scheduling your replacement. Siding season is year-round, weather permitting.

Spring is often a prime time for siding orders, as homeowners assess damage from the winter months. When we spend time outside, we start to notice areas where our homes could use an update. Fall is another popular time for siding installation. We all nest in the fall as we prepare for wintertime, but it is important to consider any time of year as a time to review your siding.

A siding install from start to finish can usually be completed in about one week (obviously depending on the materials, size of the job, and weather. On average, expect installers to be there for 5-10 days as they complete the job. The only restrictions homeowners may face is where to put the dumpster and occasionally, mother nature brings on a thunderstorm that may cause some delays! You stay in your house and watch the process, so there’s no need to find a place to stay during the installation process.

 

What Type of Home Siding Should I Choose?

Even if your home features an outdated color, peeling, or unattractive paint, it’s a lot of work to update the exterior. If the updates aren’t carried out by a professional, you may also run into issues down the line.

Fortunately, there are different types of maintenance-free siding available to address many of your concerns and beautify your home’s exterior. When you decide it’s time for siding replacement, consider your best options.

Vinyl

Image shows a collage of a home before and after siding replacement

Vinyl siding has the appearance of a real cedar-sided home. It’s very beautiful, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. With vinyl, there’s an application of foam backing on each piece, giving it the rigidity and stiffness to protect against warping and waving. The foam backing acts as insulation, adding another blanket of protection for the outside of your home. Vinyl comes with a lifetime warranty as long as you live in your home (and for one more consecutive homeowner if transferred correctly with the manufacturer).

Engineered Wood (Diamond Kote Siding)

Image shows a home with Diamond Kote siding installed

Another great option favored by many planned communities and homeowner associations is engineered wood siding. This siding offers a very natural look that meets HOA guidelines. Painted with a special long-lasting Diamond Kote paint, our engineered wood siding comes with a 30-year warranty against peeling and fading. This looks like real cedar siding and it’s beautiful.


Want to more about the advantages of engineered wood siding? Check out this Tod & Todd’s Home Improvement Tips video for more!

 

 


 

The Siding Installation Process

Once you’ve decided on the siding that’s right for your home, your siding lead installer and/or project manager will go through the entire process with you to ensure you’re on the same page and you’re satisfied with the product. You’ll get plenty of updates throughout the process—we always keep you in the loop.

To start, our installation team will take off your old siding. A good siding installer will never go over the top of existing siding. Laying siding over the top of your previous exterior finish may seem like a fast solution but it’s really only covering up a problem like a band-aid covers a wound. A reputable installer will find the root of the problem and address it from scratch. This protects your investment and the life of your home.

Once the old siding is removed, they will lay the Tyvek—a protective home wrap that blocks moisture from entering your home. Tyvek is a one-way breathing material that allows vapor from the inside of the house to escape but doesn’t allow moisture to get in. It’s a perfect weather barrier that adds to the insulation (and temperature control) of your home.

When the Tyvek is down, they will start to install the new siding. First, they will install the trim and then lay in the siding, ensuring the finish is waterproof and beautiful.

Your replacement siding process depends on the material you choose, the size of your home, and other factors. Fortunately, the process isn’t disruptive to your day-to-day living. You can live in your home comfortably while the installation is taking place.

If you’re ready to schedule an update to your home, it’s a great time! Call Weather Tight to assess your home’s exterior and help you decide if it’s time for siding replacement.

Customization is the key.

I can’t think of a singular reason in the world that the products you put in or on your home- should be any LESS customizable to our lives than the clothes we wear. Your roof should complement your home like your hairstyle compliments the shape of your face. Your siding should fit like a good pair of worn in shoes. We seek the things that have duality, things that work in more ways than one while still providing a security within ourselves to feel confident about it.