AMAZING SIDING Frequently Asked Questions
Is it
Time To Paint Again?
Should you paint
again? Or is it time to put the bother and the expense of painting and
repainting behind you forever and finally install new siding?
Why
Would I Want Amazing Siding On My Home?
Here's why:
Amazing Siding looks terrific. It looks just like wood, right down to
the grain. Putting strong, durable Amazing Siding on your home means
that you will never ever paint your home again. And it comes in a
variety of colors, textures and patterns. Since Amazing Siding is
installed right over your existing exterior, it adds insulating
properties and can significantly lower your utility costs.
What
is Amazing Siding?
Amazing Siding is a composite wall
system in which a thick vinyl surface is adhered to a contoured
backing,
resulting in a very durable product with the look of real wood that
will never ever require painting. This system also increases
the insulating qualities of the wall upon which it is installed. This
system is Energy Star Rated by the EPA.
Amazing WINDOWS
Frequently Asked Questions
How
do I know if a vinyl window is made from re-grind vinyl?
Typically, a
white vinyl window made from re-grind vinyl will be bluish-white in
color. A good reference point with proper lighting is a sheet of white
paper used in office equipment. When comparing, if the window looks
bluish-white, it is probably made from re-grind and inferior in
quality.
Are
Amazing Windows Energy Star Rated?
Yes, in fact
Amazing Windows are much more energy efficient than the new energy
codes require.
HARDIPLANK
Frequently Asked Questions
What
is fiber-cement siding?
Fiber cement is
what James Hardie Siding products are made from. It is a mixture of
90% cement and sand and 10% cellulose fiber.
Do
James Hardie siding products offer a warranty?
YES! Most of our
products come with a 50-year limited transferable warranty. See
individual product warranties for details.
How
often will I have to paint my James Hardie Siding?
Unlike wood,
James Hardie Siding will not expand or contract with changes in
weather. Because of this, the paint bonds better with the Hardie
Siding. Premium quality 100% Acrylic Latex Paints can last you ten to
fifteen years.
Is
Amazing Siding Corp. a James Hardie preferred Remodeler?
Yes
How do I select the
proper grade of vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding, like most
products, comes in several grades. A premium Vinyl siding will be pure
virgin vinyl with no reground material. Vinyl siding is produced using
the extrusion process. Compare this to the cookie press that you use
to make Christmas cookies. When the extruder starts a run the molds
must be adjusted until the correct tolerances are met. During this
period, thousands of feet of defective vinyl siding can be produced.
Many manufacturers take this material and grind it into a small size,
then run it through the extruder again. This reground material is
often a combination of different colors, and different chemistry. The
resulting vinyl siding is much less expensive since it is comprised of
scrap. This grade of material will generally fade quickly and be more
difficult to clean.
Another way manufacturers cut cost on
vinyl siding is to add chalk. This inexpensive material is used to
provide bulk to the vinyl siding, at much lower cost than vinyl
resins. Unfortunately chalk is very porous. These pores are ideal
areas to trap dirt and mildew spores. These pockets of debris are
almost impossible to clean. A further disadvantage is the likelihood
of the chalk leeching out of the siding to surfaces below and rubbing
off on materials with which it comes in contact.
How do I clean
vinyl siding?
A top quality vinyl
siding is one of the easiest products to maintain. Manufacturers
recommend a simple rinsing with a garden hose, twice a year to
maintain a brand new appearance. Premium vinyl siding is a non-porous
material, unlike wood, cement fiber or aluminum siding. This lack of
pores means that all soil is surface soil. Wood, cement fiber and
painted aluminum siding, all have pores in which to trap dirt and
mildew. If your siding is neglected for several years the
manufacturers generally recommend an application of a chlorine bleach
and water solution, using 3 parts water to1 part bleach. An
inexpensive pump up garden sprayer is ideal for this job. Allow the
solution to work for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly. Remember to
protect your foliage. An alternative to bleach is a solution of TSP,
available at any hardware, paint, or home improvement store. Follow
the directions on the label for best results.
Should I use a power washer to clean my
siding?
The answer depends on the type of siding
to be cleaned. A premium vinyl siding may be cleaned with a pressure
washer if the high pressure nozzle is not allowed to come too close to
the vinyl siding. Be careful to direct the water stream in such a way
the spray goes with the seams and not against them. We don’t want
high-pressure water penetrating behind the siding as this might
dislodge the siding from the wall. Painted sidings like James Hardy or
wood may be power washed if the paint was applied correctly. In some
cases the paint is not properly bonded to the surface. A power washer
can dislodge the paint. In this situation, the homeowner may choose to
power wash the entire structure prior to repainting. As with vinyl,
use caution around seams, as these seams are usually sealed with
caulking and the pressure might dislodge the caulk.
Will Siding Hinder Termite Detection?
Termites are one of the most feared pests
that a homeowner can face. Some people believe that installation of
new siding can hinder in the detection of this voracious wood eater.
Nothing could be further from the truth. All the products that Amazing
Siding installs are termite proof. Our AmazingPlank even has a
chemical that will kill these vermin, yet is harmless to humans. Hardi
Plank siding is also impervious to termites.
The key to termite inspection is the dirt
tubes that these insects build as they enter a structure. Termites, as
all living creatures, require a source of water to survive. They use
the pencil sized dirt tubes as a means to retrieve moisture from the
ground as they feast on your wood studs and anything else made of wood
or paper. Termite inspectors will search the perimeter of your
foundation for these tell tale tubes to determine if you have been
invaded. If a house is sitting on blocks or other materials the
inspector will scrutinize these areas closely. Another favorite entry
area is the plumbing. All drainpipes eventually enter the ground. This
entry point is frequently surrounded by concrete. As a home settles,
minute cracks can develop around this piping, providing a superhighway
for termites to enter.
A less likely cause for termite damage is
improperly installed roofing, siding or flashing. If the structure is
moist due to these factors, termites may survive even if the ground
from which they entered is poisoned. This does not cause infestation,
but eradication will not succeed until the source of moisture is
stopped.
If everyone offers a "lifetime
warranty" of some kind, what difference does it make how long the
company selling the product has been in business?
If the company you buy from goes out
of business, then there is no one to service the warranty claim. The
manufacturer is only responsible for supplying you the replacement
material, not the labor to do the repair. No reputable siding or
window company wants to service another company's work, because they
are in essence, assuming full responsibility for the original job, and
that's just bad business. Its kind of like raising the neighbors kid
down the street... (you know) the one that no one likes. F.Y.I.
statistically 98% of all siding and window companies won't be in
business for more than 5 years. That's a gamble most informed buyers
aren't willing to take! |
