The Ultimate Vinyl Siding Guide for Des Moines, Iowa 515-710-8373

Here at Superior Siding and Window Systems, we consult many homeowners on the value that vinyl siding provides. When people are looking for new siding, they often select vinyl as a top choice before ever meeting with us because, with some light research, they discover that it is an affordable, maintenance free siding. However, they may have many more questions before they feel comfortable enough to commit to an investment in vinyl, and we have compiled a helpful list of some of the most popular questions that Jim Kinning, owner of Superior Siding and Window Systems, hears on a regular basis.

1. How much does vinyl siding cost?

An estimate for vinyl siding is affected by a few different things. The amount of siding you need to cover your home affects the total price, so having someone come out and take measurements is a key requirement for receiving an accurate quote. Many of our clients also have additional work that needs to be performed. For example, is there current siding that needs to come down and be hauled away? Do you want house wrap or insulation added behind the siding? Is there additional soffit or trim work or cultured stone that may need to be installed? And which vinyl product would you prefer?

Vinyl Products

There are three types of vinyl siding products you could choose, each with advantages and disadvantages that also impacts your final estimate. The lowest end product which the average company will normally apply is traditionally 40-42 ml, it is 12 ft in length, and has a 4 inch profile. This type of vinyl is much less durable in terms of impact resistance, but has the benefit of carrying the lowest price tag among vinyl siding products.
The next level up is a premium product that is 46 millimeters in thickness, and is 25ft in length, and boasts a 4.5 inch profile. Most people love this product due to the fact it makes their home virtually seamless and looks great. As a premium product it’s also colorfast through and through, and carries a double lifetime warranty that stays with the house, and it also has a hail resistant warranty that covers material and labor.
Impact resistant vinyl is the high-end vinyl that has Progressive Foam glued to the back of it. This product is 16ft in length, repels bugs, reduces noise, and is energy efficient as well as being impact resistant. This product carries many additional benefits that homeowners love, but it needs to be installed correctly by a well trained crew. If it’s installed too tightly, it will cause the Progressive Foam to detached which will cause oil-canning, as well as deformation of the siding that creates waves and bubbles. Some homeowners refer to it as warping. This is why it’s so important to hire an experienced applicator for your siding project. We are VSI certified, which means that we have been certified by the Vinyl Siding Institute and are trained in the proper procedure for installing any vinyl siding.
To give an accurate estimate we not only have to take measurements of the home, but also consult with the homeowner to determine what their goals are in selecting the proper vinyl siding product that is best for you as well as any additional work that may be needed to help you reach your goals. For the customer who intends on living in their home for the next twenty years to raise their children, a premium product may be recommended, while the budget friendly product is preferred for a flip-home or rental.  So a siding project is almost impossible to estimate properly through an online tool or calculator, which is why we provide a no-hassle, no-obligation, in-home quote free of charge.

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When you’re ready for an in-home estimate, use one of our contact forms or give us a call to schedule a time at your convenience. If you’re not ready, read on! There’s much more to know about vinyl.

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2. Does vinyl siding fade?

Technically yes, but practically no. All vinyl siding will fade, but it fades evenly and at such a minimal amount that it’s not visible to the eye. On one house, the Superior Siding crew installed a new addition, and there was no difference between the new siding and the old siding that was installed 20 years later. Irregular fading can occur, but if it does occur, the manufacturer warranty will cover both the material and the labor to replace the defective product. Superior Siding & Windows will assist you with the paperwork required by the manufacturer.

3. How long does vinyl siding last?

With the right product, it lasts forever. We like to say “vinyl is final”. If you install vinyl on your home properly and in fifty years you experience irregular fading, the manufacturer will cover parts and labor. The key is hiring the proper company. A manufacturer will not guarantee against installation defects, and what we find is the biggest problem for homeowners today is actually the installer going out of business by the time an installation defect shows up.

4. Will vinyl hold up against hail?

The premium product that we install does carry a hail resistance warranty, and the manufacturer will take care of materials and labor in the event of hail damage. But here’s what most people don’t realize about hail. It’s impacting everything else that the manufacturer doesn’t cover. Window trim, chimney flashing, roofing and gutters that are affected by hail will need to be replaced, and that’s an additional expense. When this happens, you will still need to take advantage of your home insurance.

5. Is vinyl siding energy-efficient?

We do install an energy-efficient siding product, but we also go a step above other companies in the area. We install house wrap on the home which eliminates any wind that could make it through the nooks and crannies in the house and reduces the chances of water infiltration. In addition to that we put a 3.8 R-value fanfold insulation on our 12ft and 25ft siding. This keeps your walls warmer and reduces your energy costs. The 16 ft siding already has insulation applied to the back of the vinyl. The insulation on the back of this siding is made by Progressive Foam, which has a 26 year history in the business of creating innovative building products.

6. Are insects attracted to vinyl siding?

In a word, no. Wood siding products will sometimes attract critters like wasps, spiders, and woodpeckers. Installing vinyl will eliminate those pesky problems, provided that it is covered accordingly.

7. How long does it take to install?

We would estimate roughly two weeks for most projects, but this can vary dependent on the size of the home and all the detail work that needs to be done. But traditionally, a 2,400 – 3,000 square foot home will take ten to twelve good working days with our crews. Be aware that if you’re working with another company and they’re moving significantly faster, they may not be paying attenion to details or skipping steps that result in shoddy workmanship. Our recommendation is always to look at homes that the company has previously done. This will show you the type of work that they do.

8. Does vinyl siding ever warp or crack?

The only time vinyl will warp is if it is too tightly installed, and the only time vinyl will normally crack is if it’s a cheap vinyl siding. The 40-42 ml builder grade product can have issues, which is why we generally try to steer our customers towards the premium product, but it’s a fact that some people are on tighter budgets and will prefer the more economic solution. We install what you feel is best for your home.

9. Can you install vinyl directly over other siding materials?

You can install vinyl over wood siding easily provided it is not rotting. We can also put in furring strips on stucco or block walls and install directly over that. We do not recommend attempting to install vinyl siding over brick. Cement board must be torn off a house before installing new vinyl siding.

10. Does vinyl siding leak?

No, once vinyl is on your house the chance of water getting through there is few and far between.

11. Can vinyl siding be painted?

Yes, but it is not going to be a long term solution. The paint will not last, especially if it is in direct contact with the sun. We recommend selecting a color you and your other half will be happy with for years to come.

12. How do you keep your vinyl siding looking good?

Every 2-3 years, power wash your vinyl siding. Depending on your area, you may elect to do this more often, but our recommendation is to just perform this basic maintenance every couple of years. For our customers who prefer not to do this themselves, we offer an extended warranty program. With this 3 year program we provide a free power washing, and if any problems with your siding installation crop up in this three year timeframe we provide the labor to correct it for free.

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13. Are there any projects you would recommend doing together with siding replacement?

This depends on your own needs and wants, but we definitely recommend replacing your gutters. Here’s why: if you put your siding underneath your gutters without replacing them, it will not reach all the way up under the gutter apron. This means the next time you replace your gutters you will see about an inch of fascia board. Then you’ll be faced to pay someone to redo your fascia where the gutters were located. This is also a great time to consider any cultured stone in the front of your home to enhance the beauty and curb appeal. As a side note, if you are doing a roofing project, you want to make sure that you have a tarp over the vinyl siding to protect it from falling asphalt, tar, and nails.

14. Vinyl siding vs. cement board siding (Hardiplank) vs LP Smart Siding

Let’s start with the positives. The benefits to Hardiplank and LP Smart Siding is that you can change the colors, whereas vinyl is final. We find that most people don’t want the work or expense that comes with changing colors, but some people may prefer to have the option open. On the other hand, Hardiplank will not guarantee against fade, while the vinyl product we recommend does. Hardiplank is about 30% cement fiber and the rest is additive. You may have seen some of the class action lawsuits regarding this product shrinking and cracking, leading to moisture intrusion and structural damage in homes. With the recent history we would recommend vinyl over Hardiplank. Neither LP nor Hardiplank have any additional insulation, while a vinyl project with Superior Siding will include insulation to increase your home’s R-value. LP looks like wood, so some people may prefer that for aesthetic reasons. Of the three products, vinyl is a great option because it’s low-maintenance and improves energy efficiency while some homeowners may prefer LP Smart Siding for its similar appearance to wood and the ability to change color. It may also matter to you that vinyl is typically more economical than LP and Hardiplank. We will install whichever the homeowner prefers. In any event, Superior Siding & Window Systems can install all products to manufacturer specifications to assure a successful installation and no problems with the manufacturer in the future stating that it was improperly installed. This will protect your warranty and give you peace of mind. 

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Superior Siding & Windows

4101 83rd St

Urbandale, IA  50322

Jim: 515-205-2753

Kyle: 515-710-8373

Our Service Area

  • Des Moines
  • West Des Moines
  • Clive
  • Urbandale
  • Ankeny
  • Johnston
  • Waukee
  • Altoona

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