ÿþ <head> <title>How To Select Siding | BIYToday.com | Build It Yourself Today</title> <meta NAME="description" CONTENT="Selecting The Siding Right For You Can Be Difficult.We Will take You Through All Of The Steps Necessary To Make The Right Choice."> <meta NAME="keywords" CONTENT="How To Select The Siding For Your House,Component Of Your House,Productive Decision,Ties Everything On The Exterior Of The House,Finished Look,Transform,Jobsite,Home Site,What Are The Different Types Of Siding,How Do I Choose,How Do I Select The Color And Texture Of Siding,How Do I Calculate How Much Siding I Will Need,Characteristic Of Each Type Of Siding,Questions To Ask Yourself To Help You Select The Right Siding For You,Style House,Installing Siding,Financial Limitations,Local Surroundings,House I Have Built,Preparatory Work,Painting,Staining,Periodically,Natural Substances,Man Made Substances,Modern,Traditional,Country,Rustic,Historic,Contemporary,Eclectic,Vinyl,Aluminum,Clapboard,Planking,Seamless Steel,Shingles,Shakes,Stucco,Plywood,Stone,Brick,Composite,Log,Fun Method,Pictures Of Homes,Neighborhood,Maintenance Issues,Total Area Of Outside Walls,Multiply Length x Height,Total Wall Surface,Gable Ends,Triangular Walls,Total Surface Area Of The House,Area Of Each Window,Doors,Sidng The House"> <META NAME="resource-type" CONTENT="document"> <META NAME="owner" CONTENT="BIYTODAY.COM"> <META NAME="rating" CONTENT="General"> <META NAME="distribution" CONTENT="document"> <meta NAME="revisit-after" CONTENT="5 days"> <meta NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="INDEX, FOLLOW"> <meta NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="INDEX, ALL"> <meta NAME="distribution" CONTENT="global"> <meta name="verify-v1" content="> </head> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <BODY id="Body" ONSCROLL="bodyscroll()" BOTTOMMARGIN="0" LEFTMARGIN="0" TOPMARGIN="0" RIGHTMARGIN="0" MARGINWIDTH="0" MARGINHEIGHT="0" bgcolor="white" LINK="black" ALINK="green" VLINK="black" width="100%" height="100%"> <table width=100% cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr><td BGCOLOR="Lavender"> <div align=left valign=top> <font color="INDIGO" size=8>BIY Today</font><BR> <font color="firebrick" size=4>Build It Yourself Today</font><p> </td> <td BGCOLOR="Lavender"> <div align=left> <form action="http://www.google.com/cse" id="cse-search-box" target="_blank"> <div> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="partner-pub-9515203194928108:7vrc53-nmx5" /> <input type="hidden" name="ie" value="ISO-8859-1" /> <input type="text" name="q" size="31" /> <input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" /> </div> </form> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/coop/cse/brand?form=cse-search-box&amp;lang=en"></script> </td> </tr></table> <div align=right valign=top> <table height=20 bgcolor="white" BORDER=0><TR><TD bgcolor="WHITE"><tr><td bgcolor="WHITE">&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> <td> <Table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 bgcolor="white" width=100%> <tr> <td width10% bgcolor="white"><img src="roundededgel.jpg" width=25 height=20 name=b1></TD></TD> <td bgcolor="SteelBlue"> <a href="aboutus.htm"><font size=1 color="white" style="text-decoration:none" face=arial>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <B>About Us<B> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></TD> <td width10% bgcolor="white"><img src="roundededger.jpg" width=25 height=20 name=b1></TD> </TR></TABLE></TD> <TD><Table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 bgcolor="white"> <tr> <td width10% bgcolor="white"><img src="roundededgel.jpg" width=25 height=20></TD> <td bgcolor="SteelBlue"> <a href="links.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size=1 color="white" style="text-decoration:none" face=arial>&nbsp; <B>Links Of Interest<B> </a></TD> <td width10% bgcolor="white"><img src="roundededger.jpg" width=25 height=20></TD> </TR></TABLE></TD> <TD><Table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0> <tr> <td width10% bgcolor="white"><img src="roundededgel.jpg" width=25 height=20></TD> <td bgcolor="SteelBlue"> <a href="mailto:biytoday.com&#64;hughes.net?subject=CUSTOMER SERVICE"><font size=1 color="white" style="text-decoration:none" face=arial>&nbsp;&nbsp; <B>Contact Us<B> &nbsp;&nbsp;</a></TD> <td width10% bgcolor="white"><img src="roundededger.jpg" width=25 height=20></TD> </TR></TABLE></TD> <TD><Table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0> <tr> <td width10% bgcolor="white"><img src="roundededgel.jpg" width=25 height=20></TD> <td bgcolor="SteelBlue"> <a href="submitsite.htm"><font size=1 color="white" style="text-decoration:none" face=arial><B>Submit Your Site </B></a></TD> <td width10% bgcolor="white"><img src="roundededger.jpg" width=25 height=20></TD> </TR> </TABLE> </TD></TR> </table> </font></div> <div align=center> <TABLE BORDER=1 CELLPADDING=4 CELLSPACING=0 WIDTH=100% BORDERCOLOR=SILVER><TR><TD> <div align=right> <a href="copy.htm" ><img src="copy.jpg" width=450 height=55 border=0></a> <div align=center><br> <table width="70%" border=0><TR><TD> <FONT size=5 color="firebrick" face=arial> <B><h2><center>How To Select The Siding For Your House</h2></font> <br> </TD></TR></table> <TABLE cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="100%" border=0 bgcolor="white" valign=top> <TR> <TD bgcolor="WHITE">&nbsp;</TD> <img src="roundededge.jpg" width=17% height=30 border=0 align=left> <TD background="loggo1.jpg" width=17% align=center rowspan=1 valign=top border=0> <STYLE> <!-- A:active { color:#0000FF; text-decoration; } A:hover { color:red; text-decoration: none; } //--> </STYLE> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="home.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">&nbsp;Home</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="buildingquestions.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Before You Begin</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="preconstruction.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Pre-Construction</a></B> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="tools.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Tools Of The Trade</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="designingyourhome.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Designing Your Home</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="buildingpermit.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Building Permit Plans</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="excavation.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Excavating Home Site</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="drainpipes.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Laying Drain Pipes</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="slabprep.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Prepping For Slab</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="slabpour.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Pouring The Slab</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="sillplate.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Installing Sill Plate</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="outsidewallbuild.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> cutting Outside Wall Parts</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="outsidewallassembly.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Building Outside Walls</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="interiorwalls.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Framing & Raising interior Walls</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="exteriorsheathing.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial"> Exterior Wall Sheathing</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="roughopenings.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Cutting Out Openings</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="housewrap.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Wrapping The House</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="roofprep.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Preparing For Roof Trusses</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="rooftrusses.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Gettin Roof Trusses Ready</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="trussraise.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Raising Roof Trusses</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="roofsheathing.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Sheathing The Roof</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="shingleprep.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Preping For Shingles</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="shingling.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Shingling The Roof</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="selectingdoorswindows.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Selecting Doors/Windows</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="installdoorswindows.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Installing Doors/Windows</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="sidingprep.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Preparing For Siding</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="sidingtypes.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Types Of<BR> Siding</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="siding.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Siding The House</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="sidingsoffitsandtrim.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Siding Soffits & Trim</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> <a href="strapping.htm" style="text-decoration:none"><font size="2" face="arial">Installing Strapping</a></B><BR> <hr color="black" size="1" width=100%> </TD> <td bgcolor="WHITE">&nbsp;</td> <TD valign=top align=center rowspan=50 width=100% bgcolor="WHITE"> <font size="3" face=arial Color="darkslategray"></B><p align="justify"> <B> Choosing siding is similar to choosing any other component of your house. The more informed you are, the more productive your decision will be. It might help you to make a list of the pros and cons of each type of siding available to you.<BR> The choices you have made to this point have been based on what the house will look like when it is finished. Now is the time to choose the siding. The siding of a house is what ties everything on the exterior of the house together. Your house will finally have a finished look. It will transform what now looks like a jobsite into a home site . <P> <hr size=2 color="blue"> <P> <ul> <li><P align=justify>What are the different <a href="sidingtypes.htm"><font color="blue" style="text-decoration:none"> Types of Siding?</a></font> <li><P align=justify>How do I choose from the variety of different types of Siding. <li><P align=justify>How do I select the color of the siding? <li><P align=justify>How do I select the texture of the siding? <li><P align=justify>How do I calculate how much siding I will need? </ul> <P> <hr size=2 color="blue"> <P> <ol> <li><P align=justify>How do I choose from the many varieties of siding? </ol> <P><BR> <div align=center><font color="maroon">Characteristics Of Each Type Of Siding</font> <P> <img src="sidingtable.jpg" width=600 height=400 alt="This Chart Describes The Characteristics Of Each Type Of Siding such as: Is the Siding Washable,Paintable,Stainable,The Degree Of Difficulty Of Installation, And The Availability Of Selctions."></div> <P> <ol> <li><P align=justify>Below is a list of questions you can ask yourself to help you select the right siding for you. <ul> <li><P align=justify>What style of house am I going for? <li><P align=justify>How much experience if any do I have installing siding? <li><P align=justify>What are my financial limitations? <li><P align=justify>Is maintaining the siding going to be an issue for me? <li><P align=justify>Which type of siding will go with the local surroundings? <li><P align=justify>Will my siding of choice coincide with the type of house I have built? <li><P align=justify>Will the siding I select complement surrounding homes? <li><P align=justify>How will the local climate changes affect various siding types? <li><P align=justify>What type of preparatory work needs to be in place prior to installing each type of siding? <li><P align=justify>Do I plan on painting or staining my home periodically? <li><P align=justify>Would I prefer a siding made of natural substances or man made substances? <li><P align=justify>Are there any limitations as to which types of sidings are available in my particular area? <li><P align=justify>Which look do I prefer? <ul> <li><P align=justify>Modern <li><P align=justify>Traditional <li><P align=justify>Country <li><P align=justify>Rustic <li><P align=justify>Historic <li><P align=justify>Contemporary <li><P align=justify>Eclectic </ul> </ul> </ul> <P> <li><P align=justify>Below are samples of homes with the various types of siding:<P> <img src="vinylhouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Vinyl Siding Is Both Economical And Easy To Maintain" onmouseover="this.src='vinylhouse.jpg';this.height=this.height+300;this.width=this.width+300" onmouseout="this.src='vinylhouse.jpg';this.height=150;width=150"> <img src="aluminumhouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Aluminum Siding Was Popular In The 60's" onmouseover="this.src='aluminumhouse.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='aluminumhouse.jpg';this.height=150;width=150"> <img src="clapboardhouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Clapboard Siding Can Be Painted Or Stained"onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="plankhouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Planking Can Be Used To Side A House" onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="steelhouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Seamless Steel Siding Is Made To Order" onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="shinglehouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Shingles Can Be Painted Or Stained" onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="shakehouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Shakes Can Be Kept Natural" onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="stuccohouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Stucco Siding Gives A House A Mediteranean Feel." onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="plywoodhouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="A House Sided With Plywood Doesn't Have To Look Like A Shack." onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="stonehouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="Stone Siding Can Be Made Of Authentic Stones Or Imitation Stones" onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="brickhouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="A House Sided With Brick Siding Can Last A Century." onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="compositehouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="A House Sided With Composite Wood Siding" onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <img src="loghouse.jpg" width=150 height=150 alt="A House Made With Log Siding Resembles An Authentic Log Home" onmouseover="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=this.height+100;this.width=this.width+100" onmouseout="this.src='rakes.jpg';this.height=90;width=90"> <P> <li><P align=justify>A fun method that can be of assistance to your decision making process, is to drive around your area taking pictures of homes that you like. This will enable you to view the various types of siding first hand, and see which is preferable to you. <P> <li><P align=justify>How do I choose the color and texture of my siding? <UL> <li><P align=justify>Below are some questions to ask yourself to help you make your selection. ( I'm sure you will come up with questions of your own as well.) <ul> <li><P align=justify>Which color and texture complements the style of the house? <li><P align=justify>Which color and texture complements the home site and neighborhood? <li><P align=justify>Which color and texture do I prefer? <li><P align=justify>what are the maintenance issues with a particular color and texture? </ul></UL> <P> <li><P align=justify>How do I calculate how much siding I will need? <ul> <li><P align=justify>When calculating siding, you will need to know the area of each portion of the house that will be covered with siding. <ul> <li><P align=justify>You will also need to know the area of every portion of the house that won't be covered with siding. Such as windows and doors. <li><P align=justify>You will then subtract one from the other, and the result will give you the total area to be covered in siding. <P> <ul> <li><P align=justify>Total area of every outside wall of your house. <ul> <li><P align=justify>Multiply the length x height of each wall. <li><P align=justify>Add all of the area totals together for a total walls surface area. </ul> <P> <li><P align=justify>Total area of all Gable Ends or triangular walls. <ul> <li><P align=justify>Multiply 1/2 the base x the height of each. <li><P align=justify>Add all of the area totals together. </ul> <P> <li><P align=justify>Add both of the areas totals together to get a total surface area of the house. </ul> </ol> <P><div align=center> <img src="sidingcalculator.jpg" width=500 height=500 alt="Measure The Area Of All Exterior Surfaces Including Gable Ends."></div> <P> <ol> <ul> <li><P align=justify>Next, calculate the area of each window and door in the same manner. Length x height = area <li><P align=justify>Add the total area of windows and doors together for a total area </B><I>not</I><B> to be covered with siding. </ul> </ol> <P><div align=center> <img src="sidingcalculator1.jpg" width=500 height=400 alt="Measure The Area Of Each Window And Door"></div> <P> <ol> <ul> <li><P align=justify>Subtract the total area of all windows and doors from the total surface area of the house, and the result will give you the total area to be covered in siding. <ul> <P> <li><P align=justify>Total Surface Area - Area Of Windows & Doors = Total Area For Siding </ul> </ul> </ol> <P><BR><BR><BR> <div align=right> <H3>{Next Step: <a href="siding.htm"><font color="blue">Siding The House</a></font>}</H3> <P> <BR><BR> </td> <td bgcolor="WHITE" width=5 >&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> <td width=180 valign=top bgcolor="WHITE"> <div valign=top> <a href="http://www.elitewooddesign.com/"><img src="elitewoodanim.gif" alt="Elitewooddesign.com" width=160 height=300></a> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-9515203194928108"; /* Selectingsiding 1 */ google_ad_slot = "2256849432"; google_ad_width = 160; google_ad_height = 600; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-9515203194928108"; /* Selectingsiding 2 */ google_ad_slot = "3276136273"; google_ad_width = 160; google_ad_height = 600; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-9515203194928108"; /* Selectingsiding 3 */ google_ad_slot = "5227728198"; google_ad_width = 160; google_ad_height = 600; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </td> </td> </TR> </table> </td> </TR> </table> <div align=center> <a href="copy.htm" ><img src="copy.jpg" width=450 height=55 border=0></a> <address> &nbsp; &nbsp; <TR><TD bgcolor="WHITE"> <div align=center> <BR> <font color="black" face=arial size=1 link="#000000"></B>BUILD IT YOURSELF TODAY</font><a href="home.htm" target="_top"> <font color="blue"><B>Home</b></a> <BR> <font face=arial size=1 color="black">Please contact us with any questions or coments at:</font> <a href="mailto:BIYTODAY.COM&#64;hughes.net?subject=CUSTOMER SERVICE"><font color="blue"><B>Customer Service</b></FONT></a></font><br><br> </TD></TR></div> </address></table> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-8534260-2"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}</script> </body> </html> &nbsp;&nbsp;