New Life Custom Carpentry
Lap Siding
Lap siding, or clapboard siding is a standard profile for exterior cladding. Lap siding has been the standard in residential siding in America since the late 1800's. It is a process of "lapping" pieces of material over each other from the bottom to the top of a wall. This allows for water to drain off wall properly and creates a proper ventilation process. We have determined multiple styles and materials of ryou to research and choose between for your home.
GOOD
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is the most cost effective and common form of lap siding for homes. It offers a maintenance free exterior with multiple colors available. It is colored throughout, made from plastic and easily cleaned. the downsides are it breaks and cracks easily. It has a tendency to fade from the sun. It has a possibility of looking wavy on the wall due to its thin nature. overall, when done properly, Vinyl siding is a great option for cost conscious clients. here are some great sources of products we carry:
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BETTER
LP Smartside
LP Smart side by Louisiana Pacific. this is a Lap siding that is a wood based product. It comes both pre painted with a warranty and primed for painting later. it is a true clapboard installation with standard trim profiles. The wood is rated with waxes in the mixture to allow for better longevity. It has a strong appearance of natural wood siding with a great wood grain embedded in the surface. It comes in 16' length so less field seams. Some of the down sides are it is a sob based product. this allows for possible water penetration. The paint tends to be fragile by nature so it scratches easily. I have noticed it can absorb water quickly when not treated properly. Overall, this product can give you the appearance of real wood siding without a heavy price tag.
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BEST
James Hardie Fiber Cement
James Hardie Fiber Cement is one of the best products in this style of siding. Its raw material is cement mixed with fiber. This creates a material that is not affected by weather or water. It is painted at the factory with a robust warranty, or primed for finishing later. It has many custom trim options available and is offered in wood grain and smooth versions. This product tends to be the most labor intensive as it's heavy, dusty and breaks easily when not handled properly. it is also a premium level product, so not the most cost effective. Overall, for the price and return on value, we feel James Hardie stands the test of time. the final product is always beautiful and customers love it.
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PREMIUM
Celect Siding
Celect lap siding is a 100% cellular pvc sidng. This is a solid pvc "plastic" siding. it combines the longevity of plastic with the appearance of natural lap style. It has a high quality lunar finish with robust warranty. It is a true clapboard installation which allows it to have a high quality appearance. They offer 15 standard colors with a wide array of trim options. The few downsides are: it only comes in woodgrain, it is only offered in limited profiles and it carries a premium price point. Overall, for lap siding, this is a great option that has a beautiful appearance with a great return on investment!
