Siding Trends for 2022

One of the best ways to instantly transform your home is with siding. As a durable, easy to clean, and highly customizable option, it’s no wonder why siding, and vinyl, in particular, is such a popular choice for savvy homeowners. Let’s have a look at what trends are popular now and what we’ll be sure to see in the years to come. 

Bold and Beautiful

While white will always be a classic color, darker shades of maroon, navy, green, gray, and brown are making a serious comeback. Popular in the 1980s, the dark look is being seen more and more in new construction and homeowners are making the choice to go bold with a deeper shade. Consider pairing a dark hue with a lighter trim for a nice contrast that will make the home stand out. 

Black and White

If a dark house isn’t your cup of tea, you might want to try the reverse. We’re seeing more and more light and white homes embrace dark color trims, especially black and charcoal. If you prefer to stick to a neutral siding tone, darker accents around doors, windows, soffits, and porch banisters can still add personality without being over the top. 

Texture

Another trend that’s gaining popularity is a textural finish on vinyl siding. Flat, smooth panels are making room for everything from wood shakes to stone and stucco finishes. Many people opt to use a designer finish in certain areas of the house to distinguish certain architectural features which add character and give a more polished, upscale look. 

Shading

While contrast certainly makes a statement, many people are opting to stick to one color family for a more subtle dimension. Plan to see siding, trim, and roofing in various shades of grays, browns, and greens, which give a home a warmer contrast that feels subdued yet polished. 

Vertical

Finally, now might be the time to consider vertical vinyl siding. This is a fantastic approach that gives a home height and it can be used in conjunction with horizontal siding for a unique look. Vertical siding is also easy to clean and slightly less resistant to mold growing in the seams. It’s slightly more expensive to install, so keep that in mind if you’re considering this look.

Speaking of cost, one last thing to consider is the cost of materials these days. Remodeling projects are in high demand and so too are supplies. Between manufacturing, transportation, and logistics, your project might take a little longer and cost a little more than you would expect. Ask your contractor about any potential delays or price increases while you’re getting your quotes to be sure your project runs as smoothly as it should. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Beware of Outdoor Remodeling During Winter Months

You might not believe it, but this time of year I get a lot of calls from homeowners who want to put on a new roof or update their vinyl siding. People often think winter is a good opportunity to do outdoor work since it’s past the holiday period and before spring sets in. As much as I hate to disappoint, now is actually a pretty dangerous time of year to do any exterior projects and here’s why:

• When the weather is below 40 degrees, building materials start to change. As it gets colder, products such as shingles can get brittle and crack or split more easily. Materials such as vinyl siding shrink, which can lead to misalignment or potential for leaks when they later expand as the weather warms.

• Another big issue is shingle adherence. Shingle sealant is activated by sun and heat. If there is not enough of either, the hold won’t be as strong as it should be, which could cause problems down the road. If the weather is too cold, we are often forced to hand seal, which can add time and cost to a generally simple process.

• Most contractors use an air nail gun for external remodeling, which works by pressure. If humidity turns to ice in the airline, it can under or overdrive the nails instead of putting them in flush. Compressors face the same potential problem. 

• Being on a roof or ladder in winter is dangerous. Even the most seasoned professionals need to take care as black ice can cause serious injury. While we take every precaution, there is a lot that can go wrong during cold conditions. It’s often not worth the risk. 

• Winter weather is unpredictable. When it rains in the warmer months, we tarp a job thoroughly to ensure there aren’t any leaks. Snow is more difficult as it adds both moisture and weight to a job. Imagine having a roof open in February and a foot of snow falls from the sky.

• A cold weather installation could void your warranty. Many products specify a proper installation environment, which is usually above 40 degrees. 

• Winter jobs almost always take longer as roofers need to take extra precautions and more frequent breaks while working in cold conditions. The last thing you want is someone on a roof who can’t feel their toes. There is also less daylight, which will add time to an installation.

Sometimes, a winter repair or replacement is inevitable, and leaving the job until spring might make things worse. If this is the case for you, be sure that you’re working with an experienced contractor who has a solid track record in winter conditions and discuss all the precautions and extra steps that will be taken to ensure the job is done properly. The last thing you want is someone getting injured or a situation where corners have to be cut to accommodate less than fair conditions. In the end, is it really worth it? 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

A Vinyl Siding Conundrum

A reader recently wrote to me about a problem with her vinyl siding. The siding, which was only a few years old, had warped and started looking “wrinkled”, as she described it. At first, the reader thought it might be from direct sun exposure, but the wrinkling became visible all over the house, even in shady spots. What was she to do?

Warping is a fairly common problem with vinyl siding and it has nothing to do with the sun. The issue is actually called “oil canning” or “stress buckling” and it happens when the siding isn’t installed properly.

All homes are made of natural materials such as wood, which expand and contract with seasonal changes. People love vinyl siding because it’s very low maintenance and offers fantastic curb appeal, but a DIY or inexperienced install can actually make a house look much worse, even with very new siding. 

Every house needs to expand and contract. While it might seem logical to nail vinyl siding tightly to make sure it doesn’t come loose, doing so will actually cause the panel to buckle because it can’t expand and contract with the house. That’s why most vinyl siding panels come with longer nail slots instead of small holes. It gives everything room to move and shift. 

Another possible siding installation pitfall is leaving too much overlap between panels. While you might think this creates a stronger bond, it actually restricts movement, causing the siding to stretch and then buckle in the same way.

Back to my reader’s question. Is there ever a time when the sun might cause siding to warp? The answer is not really, although I have seen damage from sunlight reflecting off an adjacent window. The only other thing that could cause an issue is your gas grill, so keep it far away from the house. 

Once oil canning happens, the siding has to be replaced. Because the issue is installation, the product’s warranty is worthless and the manufacturer isn’t going to be responsible for the defect. While removing panels is pretty straightforward, it can be tough to get a color match if the siding is a bit older. 

These are all the reasons why it’s so important to work with a contractor who knows what he or she is doing. If you’re going to tackle this job on your own, make sure you do your research and know all the common mistakes that can be made. You don’t want all that hard work to result in a home aesthetic that’s anything less than perfect. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.