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.

WINDOWS

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

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!