Choosing A Denver Siding Company

Sometimes in life, a happy medium can be awfully hard to achieve. We either work too hard or don't work enough; we can't finish our supersized portions, but mere appetizers leave us hungry. Fortunately, when it comes to contractors who specialize in home improvements, there is such a thing as that happy medium: It's called the mid-sized company. As far as siding installation is concerned, choosing the right Denver siding company for the job can make a difference in the overall experience and result.

With so many retail giants offering discounted pricing and options galore, many homeowners are quickly drawn to the name on the store front and the advertising jingle that comes along with it. However, when it comes to siding installation, bigger is certainly not always better. The larger retail chains often come equipped with sales professionals who, on the surface, seem to know their stuff. But, in reality, they have simply memorized a script and perfected their daily sales pitch. Homeowners who choose to go with a bigger name tend to be disappointed by the subsequent lack of service throughout the actual siding installation process.
Another problem with the bigger guys is that they have a tendency to simply subcontract jobs such as siding installation and take a portion of the proceeds for profit. If you go with a larger company, then you run the risk that in many cases, the person who sold you a siding package won't know who will actually be showing up at your home to do the work. The unfortunate result is a Denver siding job that does not meet the homeowner's expectations.

Additionally, while the larger chains might advertise certain discounts, beware of the fine print. Since these retail giants are rarely starved for business, they are also less likely to negotiate a price with customers. Finally, many sales representatives are able to use the size of the business to their advantage, stating that discount requests can only be approved by the big boss. Unfortunately what ends up happening is the client ends up paying too much for their siding installation.

While smaller Denver siding companies might offer certain improvements over the retail giants, they also come with their own set of limitations. Sure, small businesses are known for their down to earth approach to sales and, at times, impeccable customer service. However, the problem with most "mom and pop" siding shops is that they often have too few resources at their disposal. In many cases, the person who schedules installation appointments is the same person who shows up to actually do the work. For this reason, smaller companies sometimes have a difficult time meeting project deadlines and offering convenient scheduling options.

Many medium sized siding companies have the ability to combine the best of both worlds for an ideal customer experience. Most medium-sized companies have enough resources to respond to customer requests and complete projects in a timely fashion. On the other hand, mid-sized companies don't have so many employees that they can't keep proper tabs on their people.

Since mid-sized siding companies tend to have a small number of educated customer representatives, they can offer personalized service without worrying about expending other resources. Medium-sized companies also tend to be the most flexible with pricing because they have more wiggle room than the smaller guys, but less demand than the larger guys. When a sales representative at a mid-sized siding company tells a customer that he needs to discuss pricing with his boss, that boss is usually only a notch or two higher on the flagpole. Finally, medium-sized companies can usually offer a customer discount in exchange for a flexible finish date, which is something that retail giants have little, if not zero, motivation to do.

Of course, not everything in life comes with that perfect happy medium. Fortunately for homeowners, siding companies are a welcome example of being just the right size for a job well done.

Various Types of Siding

The world of siding offers a variety of options for homeowners looking to maximize their property value and curb appeal. When it comes to choosing a material for siding, you'll want to pick something that works in terms of your taste as well as your budget. Each kind of Denver siding comes with its own distinct look and feel, so be sure to review all of the possible choices with your siding contractor before making this important selection. To get you started on the process, here are the types of siding available to homeowners today:

Vinyl Siding
Considered one of the more basic forms of siding, vinyl is one of the most affordable and easily maintainable materials on the market. Vinyl siding is available in a variety of colors and finishes, and its natural insulating properties make it a popular choice among homeowners looking to save some money on heating and cooling costs. On the other hand, vinyl is certainly not the strongest siding material out there. Strong winds and other such weather-related factors can cause vinyl siding panels to buckle, crack, or fly off, making repairs a likely factor down the line. Vinyl also has a way of looking a bit plastic-like, causing some homeowners to immediately cross it off as an option.

Wood Siding
Wood siding is an attractive option for people who happen to truly love the look of natural wood. While it might cost more than vinyl, it is certainly not the most expensive type of siding out there. However, wood comes with one major disadvantage in that it requires a lot of maintenance throughout the years. Wood is just one of those materials that is highly susceptible to weather damage and natural wear and tear. As a result, homeowners need to look at it as an investment that must be preserved with much time and effort.

Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is a composite material that is meant to carry the same look and feel of wood, but without all of that pesky maintenance. Unlike actual wood, fiber cement siding won't warp or disintegrate over time, making it a more solid choice for homeowners looking for minimal hassle. However, homeowners should be advised that fiber cement offers nothing in the way of natural insulation.

Stucco Siding
Stucco is one of the classiest materials on the siding market. Available in both classic cement and a new synthetic form, stucco is a durable material that is relatively easy to maintain. Synthetic stucco is also one of the best insulators on the market, making it easier for homeowners to bear the cost of energy bills over time. On the other hand, stucco is one of the most expensive siding options, making it pretty much unattainable for homeowners on limited budgets.

Stone Siding
Stone siding is the ultimate material for exterior beauty and class. The elegance of stone siding makes it a popular choice among the elite. But with a sizable price tag, it's an option that only a small percentage of homeowners can afford. Additionally, those who opt for stone siding can forget about added insulation. Eye-catching as it may be, stone won't help one bit with energy costs.

Cedar Shake Siding
As one of the most appealing selections on the market, cedar shake siding creates a warm, inviting exterior that homeowners just tend to adore. Cedar shake siding is comprised of small cedar sections that are attached to the home in a shingled arrangement. While it's easy to fall in love with that natural look, the downside of cedar shake is that it does tend to fade over time. It is also a rather costly selection, making it less common than some of its more affordable counterparts.

Now that you're a bit more familiar with the various types siding materials, you should be in a much better position to start narrowing down your choices. Of course, it's one thing to simply describe all these Denver siding options, but it's another to actually see them in person. Before you make your final decision, be sure to take a look at examples of these materials in the form of finished products so that you can truly get a sense of how your home might come to be transformed. With any luck, you'll choose the perfect material for the look you've always wanted to achieve.

Ruben Jeruco is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find an extremely informative Guide to Siding or more Home Care articles at the Yodle Consumer Guide, The Yodler.