From: emolinar@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Elizabeth Molinaro)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: siding options?
Date: 30 Sep 92 15:23:47 GMT
Organization: Stakeholder Relations, NCR Corp in Dayton,OH

<1992Sep29.200033.11989@porthos.cc.bellcore.com>
<lchg7lINNn23@utkcs2.cs.utk.edu>
Reply-To: emolinar@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Elizabeth Molinaro)
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Organization: Stakeholder Relations, NCR Corp in Dayton,OH
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In article <lchg7lINNn23@utkcs2.cs.utk.edu> langston@langston.cs.utk.edu (Mike
Langston) writes:
>george patterson writes:
>
>> Anything's better than vinyl siding!
>
>depends on its use -- many architects are now specifying it for fancy 
>new custom houses, especially where non-brick colors are desired
>
>check out, for example, wolverine technologies product line
>
>-- 


        Thank you, thank you, thank you...I seemed to be the only
        heretic who has chosen to do the dirty deed and-gasp!- go 
        with siding and was feeling a little alone out here!

        Wolverine, in Lincoln Park, Michigan is the manufacturer
        who does clapboard and scallops, etc.

        I would like to offer the original poster some food for
        thought:

        Stavros is correct in saying that 8 years is not an unreasonable
        period for paint-life.  In deciding whether to paint or not, it is
        important to look at the condition of the house; each of the fol-
        lowing items will add to the re-painting costs (in order to do
        a good job):

        Condition of the paint: how many coats are on the clapboard?
                                how "distressed" a look does it have?
        Condition of the house: is the paint problem caused by inadequate
                                ventilation/air flow:  what is the cost
                                to repair this problem? --no sense in 
                                painting if you cannot maintain the paint.
                                
                                could this be an opportunity to enhance
                                period details, or will repairs destroy 
                                them anyway?

                                AND, most importantly, not every house
                                built in the last century has real 
                                historical significance--sad, but true
                                and we pretenders may as well face it!--
                                is your house significant for your area?

                                will siding damage the house?

                                what about lead paint and removal rules?
                                what will this cost you?

        Additional considerations may be:

        Condition of your pocketbook: can you afford to maintain paint?
                                      can you afford not too?
                                      what are relative siding/paint costs
                                        in the long and short term?
                                      will you be in the house long/buyer
                                        preferences

        As I said originally, it is a tough decision:  paint is certainly
        more "upscale" than vinyl, but there's a reason for that!!! Frankly,
        I'd rather have a paint job done: but in looking at my section of
        my neighborhood, or chances of living here for more than 5 more 
        years, and buyer expectations...well, I'd rather side now and save
        the money later, instead of paying for it later in a rebate to a
        buyer...and have a little left over for my child's education (no
        kids yet, but hey, we have to be forward thinking!)

        Elizabeth (again)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house