The advertisements seem so enticing. Install vinyl siding, they say,and you will never have to paint your house again. Unlike wood orcedar, this durable plastic will not rot or flake. Vinyl is availablein several dozen colors, and can mimic architectural details that wereonce made from wood. It`s no wonder that vinyl has become the mostpopular siding material in the United States and is quickly gainingmomentum around the world.But, wait! What the ads don`t tell you can cost you dearly.Before you install vinyl siding over wood clapboard or cedar shingles,consider these important factors. 1. Health Concerns Vinyl is made from a PVC {polyvinyl chloride} plastic resinthat is thought to cause cancer in humans. Although vinyl may be safewhile it is on your home, some scientists believe that manufacturingand disposing vinyl is hazardous to our health and to the environment.Accidental fires in vinyl-sided buildings are more dangerous becausevinyl produces toxic fumes when heated. In addition, doctors arereporting a high incidence of neurological damage, respiratoryproblems, liver and kidney failure, birth defects, and cancer amongpeople who work in or live near factories where vinyl is produced.To learn more about the ways vinyl siding impacts our health and the environment, watch the award-winning documentary film Blue Vinyl, available on dvd. Or, read what the environmental group Greenpeace has to say about vinyl.For an opposing view, read the arguments written by the Vinyl Institute. 2. Durability Advertisements often imply that vinyl siding is permanent. It istrue that vinyl will last a very long time. {That`s why it is sodifficult to dispose of safely.} In extreme weather, however, vinyl isless durable than wood and masonry. Violent wind can get underneath thethin sheets of vinyl siding and lift a panel from the wall. Windblowndebris and strong hail can puncture vinyl. New developments are makingvinyl is stronger and less brittle, but the plastic sheets will stillcrack or break if struck by a lawnmower or snowblower. Damage cannot bepatched; you will need to replace a panel. Liquid vinyl coatings, which are sprayed on like paint, may prove to bemore durable than vinyl panels. However, liquid vinyl coatings aredifficult to apply correctly. Numerous problems have been reported.{See Miracle Liquid Siding Products, on Ask the Builder. 3. Maintenance Wood must be painted or stained; vinyl requires no paint. However,it`s not exactly true to say that vinyl is maintenance-free. Tomaintain its fresh appearance, vinyl siding should be washed once ayear. Any wooden window sashes and trim will still require routinepainting, and ladders leaning against the house can scuff or crack thevinyl siding. Unlike wood and masonry, vinyl siding presentsits own breed of maintenance worries. Moisture trapped beneath thevinyl siding will accelerate rot, promote mold and mildew, and inviteinsect infestations. Left uncorrected, dampness in the walls will causewallpaper and paint inside the house to blister and peel. To avoidhidden decay, you will want frequently recaulk joints between the vinylsiding and adjacent trim. Roof leaks, faulty gutters, or other sourcesof moisture should be repaired without delay. Vinyl siding may not be awise option for an older home with a chronically damp cellar. 4. Energy Conservation Be wary of a vinyl salesperson who promises lower energybills. Even with thick Styrofoam backing, a vinyl panel cannot providesignificant insulation. Regardless of the type of siding you choose,you may want to install additional insulation inside the walls. 5. Color Vinyl is available in more colors than ever before, and new vinylsiding does not fade as quickly as older vinyl. Also, the pigmentationis baked through instead of applied to the surface, so vinyl won`t showscratches. Nevertheless, depending on the qu
architecture.about.com/cs/repairremodel/a/vinyl.htm