Construction expert folks

[mpaer]

I am looking at a few "over 55 communities"
Of late they are popping up like weeds in Wake/Johnston counties .I have accepted I can live at such a place and the new ones have excellent pricing
BUT
The siding is long pieces of what I call plastic. Not some compressed hard heavy stuff
Should I be deeply concerned about the durability-or has the technology improved this stuff/
I have seen like 30 year old communities with this siding and all the houses look like warped "crap"

 

[finesse]

I am looking at a few "over 55 communities"
Of late they are popping up like weeds in Wake/Johnston counties .I have accepted I can live at such a place and the new ones have excellent pricing
BUT
The siding is long pieces of what I call plastic. Not some compressed hard heavy stuff
Should I be deeply concerned about the durability-or has the technology improved this stuff/
I have seen like 30 year old communities with this siding and all the houses look like warped "crap"

Probably vinyl siding. Been ten years since I've dealt with it so don't know the modern product. When I did work with it, the biggest issues were to leave the proper expansion gaps as instructed and designed for and not drive the nails up tight. That way the siding can expand and contract and not buckle and warp.

 

[mpaer]

Probably vinyl siding. Been ten years since I've dealt with it so don't know the modern product. When I did work with it, the biggest issues were to leave the proper expansion gaps as instructed and designed for and not drive the nails up tight. That way the siding can expand and contract and not buckle and warp.

Thanks I was hoping you were on the Board this morning

 

[finesse]

It's actually reasonably durable and can be pressure washed clean. I've seen some older stuff that had faded in the sun but paint will as well. It wouldn't be my first choice but it's a lot better than the old Masonite siding that turned into something vaguely resembling oatmeal when water got through the paint and surface coat.

 

[heelinhell]

It's actually reasonably durable and can be pressure washed clean. I've seen some older stuff that had faded in the sun but paint will as well. It wouldn't be my first choice but it's a lot better than the old Masonite siding that turned into something vaguely resembling oatmeal when water got through the paint and surface coat.

I bought my first house that had Masonite siding back in 1982. We lived there 18 years and the siding held up ok , but after about 7 or 8 years we began to consider replacing it with hardie plank , but decided the cost of replacement was not worth it.

My younger daughter lives in a house she bought 7 years ago with vinyl siding. It has faded a bit, but there has been no warping or buckling. For me it is easy to maintain with pressure washing to keep its clean look. The downside for me is vinyl siding is kinda tacky.

 

[mpaer]

I bought my first house that had Masonite siding back in 1982. We lived there 18 years and the siding held up ok , but after about 7 or 8 years we began to consider replacing it with hardie plank , but decided the cost of replacement was not worth it.

My younger daughter lives in a house she bought 7 years ago with vinyl siding. It has faded a bit, but there has been no warping or buckling. For me it is easy to maintain with pressure washing to keep its clean look. The downside for me is vinyl siding is kinda tacky.

Thanks
Oh I agree with tacky
But heels bells, I am about to live in an old folks community-I mean my housing choices have "evolved "-related to my retirement savings
LOL

 

[Mulberry Heel]

Thanks
Oh I agree with tacky
But heels bells, I am about to live in an old folks community-I mean my housing choices have "evolved "-related to my retirement savings
LOL

My wife and I will be in that spot in less than a decade or so. As we don't have kids or nearby relatives who could be caregivers we'll need to live in a place where we can get quick assistance if we need it. Hard to believe that we're old enough to actually start thinking about such things. Time really does just sneak up on you.

 

[heelinhell]

Thanks
Oh I agree with tacky
But heels bells, I am about to live in an old folks community-I mean my housing choices have "evolved "-related to my retirement savings
LOL

Good for you !!! and if you are old as I am ( 73 ) aesthetics become much less important than function

We are moving to a one level home because the missus says having three floors with two sets of stairs and watch me slowly plod up and down those stairs is just too much for her to take. Next step for me is to die in this new house or be carted off to a nursing home that has a memory care unit.

Here's hoping you enjoy your new environs

 

[tarheelbillie]

Good for you !!! and if you are old as I am ( 73 ) aesthetics become much less important than function

We are moving to a one level home because the missus says having three floors with two sets of stairs and watch me slowly plod up and down those stairs is just too much for her to take. Next step for me is to die in this new house or be carted off to a nursing home that has a memory care unit.

Here's hoping you enjoy your new environs

Kids!

 

[UNCatTech]

I am looking at a few "over 55 communities"
Of late they are popping up like weeds in Wake/Johnston counties .I have accepted I can live at such a place and the new ones have excellent pricing
BUT
The siding is long pieces of what I call plastic. Not some compressed hard heavy stuff
Should I be deeply concerned about the durability-or has the technology improved this stuff/
I have seen like 30 year old communities with this siding and all the houses look like warped "crap"

I owned a house with Vinal siding. We never really had any issues with it. It's not so much the siding, it's what's under it.

It needs to be plywood or OSB sheathing, to provide structure and protection, not foam or any weaker materials. Then it needs to be well wrapped and flashed to ensure protection from the elements.

I would imagine vinal siding installed properly would last and is fairly durable. I personally would not want another house with vinal siding.

 

[UNCatTech]

It's actually reasonably durable and can be pressure washed clean. I've seen some older stuff that had faded in the sun but paint will as well. It wouldn't be my first choice but it's a lot better than the old Masonite siding that turned into something vaguely resembling oatmeal when water got through the paint and surface coat.

They don't even sell the masonite any longer, do they?

 

[UNCatTech]

I bought my first house that had Masonite siding back in 1982. We lived there 18 years and the siding held up ok , but after about 7 or 8 years we began to consider replacing it with hardie plank , but decided the cost of replacement was not worth it.

My younger daughter lives in a house she bought 7 years ago with vinyl siding. It has faded a bit, but there has been no warping or buckling. For me it is easy to maintain with pressure washing to keep its clean look. The downside for me is vinyl siding is kinda tacky.

If the masonite was well maintained, then it wasn't nearly the risk. But, most people do not well maintain the exterior of their home.

They wait until it has to be painted, which is normally well beyond when it should have been painted.

The newer cement fiber boards are supposed to be much more durable, but they still need proper maintenance.

 

[finesse]

They don't even sell the masonite any longer, do they?

Don't know. They shouldn't. The cement fiber is much better although the dust from cutting it is nasty.

 

[Callatoroy]

I have my contractor's license but use it for my personal use rather than for my occupation. I have a good deal of experience in this field. Finesse is right with respect to how vinyl siding should be installed. The reality is that it isn't always done correctly. And, although it can be pressure washed, it needs to be done correctly as an idiot using the pressure washer can do damage to the siding and what's behind it if they don't know what they are doing. A much better choice for siding is various brands of cement board. More durable, but more expensive and has to be repainted over time.

The red flag to me is the contractor using vinyl siding as the cheapest option. Makes me question what other things he decided to take the cheapest option route on. Things that you don't see can be the most expensive to repair down the road. Unfortunately, the industry is full of people looking to just get through the warranty period vs spending a little more on the construction to add longevity and durability. Showers are a big area of cutting corners. Before I bought I'd be very diligent in doing my due diligence on the builders and talking to residents to get their opinions on their homes.

 

[SmilingJack]

The old saying was vinyl is final. Most of what I see these days is cement fiber which is everywhere like luxury vinyl planks(LVP). Vinyl is the cheapest siding unless you're building an A-frame then it's asphalt shingles!