CHOOSING THE PERFECT SHED SHAPE – home renovation contractor

Sheds constructed with LP® products are an appealing and adaptable storage option. A storage shed can be built to meet your specific needs and can be as small as a doghouse or as big as a two-story garage or a place to hang out. Your shed can also have a beautiful appearance that matches the architecture and appearance of your home renovation contractor thanks to the genuine cedar grain texture of LP engineered wood.

Common Shed Shapes Before purchasing a shed, there are a few things to think about. One of the most crucial aspects is the shed’s intended use. The design of your shed’s structure is another. Cost, usefulness, curb appeal, and even placement are all influenced by the shed’s overall shape. Consider these four distinct shed building shapes.

The roof of a barn shed is gambrel-shaped. When compared to a shed with a gabled roof, the barn shed has more storage space in the attic because the rafters are raised. As seen in this episode of He Shed She Shed, the additional overhead loft space can even be converted into an additional room for the purpose of storing tall items.

The traditional A-frame design of cottage sheds places the door at one end of the structure. It is possible to install taller doors, like garage doors, when the entrance is on the gable end.

The door to a ranch-style shed is on the side of an A-frame structure that runs parallel to the roof ridge. When a front-facing entrance is required, as in Susan’s shed, this design is desirable and works well with partial porch configurations.

A saltbox shed has a long, sloping roof that goes down to the back of the building. Because it encourages snow and rain to slide off the roof, the asymmetrical design is a good choice for northern climates.

LP’s size selector tool can assist you in evaluating shed sizes and determining which size best suits your needs once you have decided how your shed will be used and the shape you prefer. We also recommend that you talk to a shed dealer about the kind of foundation you need for your shed. Find a shed dealer in your area to see outdoor sheds built with LP materials.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIDES FOR YOUR HOME: Part I: AN IN-DEPTH GUIDE 

Why It’s Important to Choose the Right Siding One of your biggest decisions as a homeowner will be which kind of siding to put on your home renovation contractor. You shouldn’t take it lightly simply because it’s a decision you’ll have to make for at least the next 20 years.

Additionally, it is not a cheap investment. Depending on the costs of the materials and local labor, a residing project can cost anywhere from $5,000 to more than $50,000. This does not imply that it is not worthwhile. According to the Cost vs. A Value Report that was published in 2016 by Remodeling magazine, siding replacement is one of the most popular remodeling projects in terms of how much they increase a home’s value when it is sold.

Siding is more valuable to the homeowner than many other home renovation contractor improvement projects because it is significant from both an architectural and a functional standpoint. Your choice of siding will have a significant impact on the following aspects:

• How much you will spend on siding installation; • How much time and money you will spend on home maintenance; • How much you will spend on heating and cooling; • How comfortable your living spaces are throughout the year; • Whether or not your home can achieve ENERGY STAR® qualification; • How beautiful your home’s exterior will be now and in decades to come; • How much your home renovation contractor will sell for. In the end, your decision should be based on your specific requirements and priorities. The savings that can be made over the material’s service life will be taken into consideration by homeowners with tight budgets. Others will prioritize aesthetics, energy efficiency, durability, maintenance, and longevity.

Let’s take a look at the various options on the market today now that we know why it pays to choose siding with caution.

Part 2: Popular Siding Materials A quick Google search reveals a plethora of siding options, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The fact that price is not always a good indicator of how well your siding will perform or look makes the decision even more difficult.

The good news is that siding manufacturers are now competing with one another to produce increasingly superior products. The cost-effectiveness of siding has improved dramatically in the past decade alone.

Wood fibers, exterior-grade resins, and performance-enhancing treatments like zinc borate and water-resistant waxes are used to create engineered wood siding. It was only developed in the 1960s, making it a relatively new siding product. Despite this, engineered wood has rapidly established itself as a major siding supplier.

price in comparison to other materials. Engineered wood siding can be half as expensive as real wood siding. Engineered wood may also be less expensive to install than fiber cement due to its relative ease of installation for the contractor.

Effect on the environment. Timber harvested in accordance with Sustainable Forestry Initiative® standards is used in some engineered wood production. Low-VOC synthetic resins are used, and there is little waste from production and installation.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks:

• Lighter and more resistant to damage caused by impacts and breakage than fiber cement siding • Easier to install without the need for specialized cutting tools • Primed at the factory (ready-to-paint) Wood is regarded as a premium siding material and is prized for its looks, warmth, and workability. Prefinished siding is also available in a wide variety of profiles and textures. • It holds up well to changes in temperature and humidity. • Early versions were known to suffer from issues related to moisture. Western red cedar, redwood, fir, spruce, and pine are among the most frequently utilized woods for siding production.

price in comparison to other materials. When compared to engineered wood, vinyl, and fiber cement, the initial cost of wood siding is high. Cost also varies a lot depending on the grade and species of wood. Installation ease aids in lowering associated labor costs; However, over its lifetime, it will need to be maintained, which will raise the overall cost.

Effect on the environment. Wood siding of the highest quality is known to be made from old-growth timber. Additionally, it has a R-value of 0.8—the resistance to heat flow—in the absence of synthetic insulation, in contrast to the R-value of 0.6 of non-insulated vinyl siding.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks:

Fiber cement is made from a mixture of Portland cement, sand, and wood pulp. It is easy to cut, shape, and install. It is available as primed or prefinished siding in a variety of species, grades, profiles, and shapes. It can be easily replaced in small quantities when damaged. It cannot be installed over existing siding materials. It is not as fire-resistant as brick or stone, even after being treated with fire-retardants. It is susceptible to damage from insects and pests. Although not as common as vinyl, brick, or stucco, its popularity has increased in recent decades. In 2015, fiber cement was the most common siding material for 19% of single-family homes.

price in comparison to other materials. In terms of cost, fiber cement typically ranks below engineered wood and real wood. The weight of fiber cement, the need for special cutting tools and methods, and the fact that it cannot be installed over existing siding all add to the cost of installing it.

Effect on the environment. Portland cement has five times the embodied energy of wood and is linked to CO2 emissions. This material has a significant impact on the environment because it makes up nearly half of fiber cement.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks:

• Available as primed or prefinished siding in a wide range of profiles and textures • Very heavy and prone to breakage during installation • Installation requires special cutting tools and techniques • Produces potentially harmful silica dust when cut • Early versions were known to contain asbestos; • Highly resistant to fire, termites, rot, salt air, and changes in humidity and temperature; Vinyl (PVC) Vinyl has been the most popular siding material in the United States for the past two decades, with a 31% market share. A professional asbestos abatement contractor is required to remove fiber cement siding installed prior to the late 1980s. Builders, subcontractors, and home renovation contractors are particularly drawn to its low cost and low upkeep.

price in comparison to other materials. In terms of material and installation costs, vinyl is the most affordable siding option. Insulated vinyl siding costs the same as some brands of engineered wood and fiber cement, making it a premium vinyl product.

Effect on the environment. Vinyl siding production produces byproducts like dioxin and other toxins. Additionally, vinyl siding does not biodegrade.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks:

R-values ranging from 2 to 6 (for insulated vinyl) • Prone to fading under ultraviolet light • Can crack, warp, bend, melt, and burn Brick Brick is an extremely durable and long-lasting material made from fired clay. Its color is consistent throughout the material, so nicks and scratches won’t show up easily. Even though the majority of contemporary brick siding consists only of brick veneer that is applied to the home renovation contractor wood frame structure, it remains one of the materials with the longest lifespan currently available. Brick’s 25 percent market share demonstrates how well it has remained popular in spite of intense competition.

price in comparison to other materials. Brick is regarded as a premium siding material and commands a premium price that only stone can match. It costs even more to install because it takes a lot of time and work. However, brick-siding homes may qualify for lower home insurance premiums.

Effect on the environment. Brick is regarded as a highly sustainable siding option due to its longevity and readily available raw materials. Additionally, it provides excellent energy efficiency.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks:

• Offers superior sound reduction • Significantly increases property value • Brick veneers are still penetrable by water and must be installed over a protective membrane • Mortar joints can deteriorate over time and must be replaced Traditional & Synthetic Stucco Traditional stucco is installed over wood lath or expanded metal wire lath and is highly resistant to damage from water, wind, and wind-blown debris. It is available in a wide range of sizes, textures, and colors and can be installed in a variety of configurations Epoxy is used to prevent cracking in synthetic stucco, also known as exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS). On 24% of single-family home renovation contractors built in 2015, the exterior wall material was stucco. It is widely used in the Pacific, Mountain, and Southeastern United States. It is more expensive than other materials. Even though the material itself is not very expensive, the amount of preparation work required to install stucco siding significantly increases the overall cost. Installing stucco siding costs about the same as installing brick or wood siding.

Effect on the environment. Portland cement used in stucco, like fiber cement, has been linked to CO2 emissions. However, lime is used in some formulations instead of cement, which helps reduce the carbon footprint of stucco.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks:

• Synthetic stucco is not “breathable,” which can lead to moisture buildup if the vapor barrier or drainage plane is compromised. • Requires additional treatment in humid or wet climates with freeze-thaw cycles. Part 3: Other Factors to Consider When Choosing Siding The siding material may be the most important consideration, but the process does not end there. Other significant considerations are listed below.

The profile you choose can have a significant impact on how your home looks after siding is installed. These are some of the most prevalent siding profiles:

•           Lap. Lap siding, which is laid out horizontally and is arguably the most common siding profile in the United States, is an ideal match for traditional home styles like Cape Cod, Craftsman, Federal, French Colonial, Georgian, Greek Revival, Queen Anne, and Victorian/Italianate. Beaded lap and Dutch lap are two horizontal shadowed profiles that are comparable.

• Batten and Board. Board and batten was a siding profile that was originally used on barns and farm buildings. It was inexpensive and used less material. Later, it was used in modern homes and other buildings that wanted to emphasize the vertical in their design.

• Shingles and scabs Shingles and shakes look best on home renovation contractors that are Arts and Crafts or Craftsman. Additionally, Craftsman, Queen Anne, and Folk Victorian homes use them as accents. There are many different shapes to choose from, including half coves, squares, scallops, hexagons, octagons, and others.

• Strip, both vertical and horizontal Strip siding is typically made of wood and must be installed over a continuous waterproof membrane, making it one of the most expensive siding profiles. Strip siding complements contemporary and rustic home designs well. Channel rustic, shiplap, v-joint, channel, and tongue-and-groove are all examples of similar profiles.

•           Panel. These massive sheets produce uniform, flat surfaces with noticeable shadows at panel joints. Panels are expensive because they are considered a specialty profile. They are frequently used by contemporary home renovation contractors.

Architectural Style As can be seen above, the architectural style of a home is closely linked to the choice of the profile. When choosing a siding material, architecture is frequently a deciding factor as well. Brick, for example, looks great on Tudor, English Cottage, and Colonial exteriors. Stucco is a popular siding choice for Mediterranean and Southwestern Spanish Colonial homes, but it works well for traditional to modern home renovation contractor styles as well.

Preferences of the Region and Neighborhood Due to variations in climate, the typical siding for various locations can also vary significantly. Vinyl, for instance, is the most popular siding material in the Northeast, but brick takes the lead in the South. In the West, stucco also outsells vinyl, capturing 58% of the market.

But if you want to sell your home renovation contractor, your preferences for the neighborhood become even more important. Buyers expect your siding’s cost and appearance to be comparable to those of nearby homes.

Workmanship Regardless of the material you choose, workmanship will help determine how your siding will look and perform in the future, as well as its eventual lifespan. Select a contractor who is familiar with manufacturer installation guidelines.

We trust that the information in this guide has helped you make the right choice for your home. The LP® SmartSide® Trim and Siding Visualizer can help you see what you can accomplish with various siding options. Contact an LP BuildSmart Preferred Contractor in your area right away to learn more about LP products.