Just like a sound roof, good siding is a very important part of your home. Apart from the protection it provides from the elements siding is usually the first glimpse that people, and prospective homebuyers, get of your property. And without good protection there will be problems down the road, no matter what type of materials and construction methods used to build the home.
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Before You Start:
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1. What style of home do you want?
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There are almost as many ways to cover the outside of your home as there are materials on the planet. In Mesa stucco and brick are very popular as many homes are built with a southwestern motif. But other forms are catching on as new materials are designed to withstand the temperature extremes and UV damage from the sun. As well, many existing homes can be updated by just using the right paint color and type. |
2. What materials are you covering?
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Beginning with a new structure or after you have stripped your old wood siding or stucco down to the bare wood is an easier way to go than covering up existing siding/. However, this is an acceptable way of achieving a new look and protection. For example, in many areas of the country homeowners reside wood siding by putting vinyl right over it. |
3. How much is your budget?
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Always a consideration. Like you do with any renovation, work out a ballpark price before asking for quotes. |
Materials
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| 1. Stone: All it takes is to see a two-hundred year-old monument to realize that stone is the most lasting of all building materials. Granite, limestone, slate, and other types of stone are beautiful and almost weatherproof but they are expensive. |
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| 2. Cultured Stone: Precast stone veneers and facings look and feel like real stone but the prices are much lower. They come is a wide variety of styles and colors and, unlike their real counterparts, are very much lighter. |
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| 3. Brick and Veneer Siding: Like real and cultured stone, brick has a long life comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. |
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| 4. Stucco: In essence stucco is cement combined with water, sand and lime. It is also used to give the �adobe� look so prevalent in Mesa and it can be finished in many ways for many different looks. Used mainly in hot, dry areas stucco is moisture resistant and with stand rainy climates. |
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| 5. Fiber Cement: This siding usually takes on the appearance of wood. However, unlike wood it is fireproof, termite-proof, and may have a warranty up to fifty years. It�s pricing is usually equivalent to a good cedar siding. There are many homes in Mesa with this siding. |
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| 6. Seamless Steel: This is also very strong and almost impervious to temperature change. Like cement it can come with a wood-look texture. |
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| 7. Cedar: Homes sided in cedar shingles are mainly used in wooded areas but properly maintained can withstand heat. It can come in clapboard or shakes. Shakes, put on like shingles, require less maintenance than clapboard. By using stain rather than paint, you can minimize peeling. |
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| 8. Wood Clapboard: Wood is always a favorite and, properly treated, can last as long as the dwelling itself. Its drawbacks are that it can shrink and wood is susceptible to insects and rot. |
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| 9. Engineered Wood: This product is made with wood and other filler materials. Oriented strand board (OSB), hardboard, and veneered plywood are examples of engineered wood products. It is inexpensive and easy to install and looks like traditional clapboards. However, moisture can make it swell and flake. |
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| 10. Aluminum: This material was very big in the 1960�s but many builders still offer it as an alternative to vinyl. It is easy to maintain and fairly durable but can dent and fade. However aluminum won't crack the way vinyl will and is fireproof. |
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| 11. Vinyl: This popular siding is made from a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic. It is inexpensive to buy and install and is low maintenance materials. It�s drawback is that, it can crack, fade and, if installed improperly can distort in the heat. |
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The application of siding in Mesa requires a building permit that is available at: |
City of Mesa
PO Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211
55 N. Center Street
Mesa, AZ 85201
Monday - Friday
7:30 am to 5:00 pm
6935 E. Decatur Street
Mesa, AZ 85207
Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Except Holidays
480-644-4BSD
480-644-4273
480-644-2418 Fax
Email: building.safety.info@cityofmesa.org |