Siding Tips & Guides — Weatherguard Construction Blog
Siding material comparisons, installation guides, maintenance tips, and cost breakdowns for vinyl, LP SmartSide, fiber cement, and more.
About Our Siding Articles
The right siding does more than boost curb appeal — it protects your home from moisture, hail, and temperature swings for decades. In this category you'll find side-by-side comparisons of vinyl, LP SmartSide engineered wood, and fiber cement, along with real-world cost breakdowns, maintenance schedules, and color and style guidance drawn from thousands of siding projects across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado.
Weatherguard is a certified LP SmartSide contractor, and we're especially focused on helping homeowners in hail-prone areas choose impact-resistant materials that hold up to severe weather. These guides walk you through what to expect during a siding project, how to evaluate quotes, and which upgrades deliver the best return on investment.
Material choice is where most siding decisions are won or lost, so several guides here go deep on the trade-offs: vinyl's low cost versus its brittleness in extreme cold, LP SmartSide's impact resistance and paintability versus its maintenance schedule, and fiber cement's fire and rot resistance versus its weight and installation cost. We also cover the parts of a siding project homeowners rarely see in a quote — weather-resistive barriers, flashing details at windows and deck ledgers, and what proper tear-off reveals about hidden moisture damage.
If your siding was recently hit by hail, start with the storm-damage articles: they explain the difference between cosmetic and functional damage, how insurance adjusters scope siding claims, and why matching discontinued siding often triggers full-elevation or whole-house replacement under many policies.
Siding Questions We Hear Most
What's the best siding material for cold climates?
For Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois homes we most often recommend LP SmartSide engineered wood: it stays impact-resistant in extreme cold (when vinyl turns brittle), takes paint well, and carries a 5/50-year warranty. Fiber cement is a strong alternative where fire resistance matters; premium insulated vinyl remains the budget choice.
How do I know if hail damaged my siding?
Look for cracked or chipped laps, holes on the sun-shaded elevations, and dents in aluminum fascia and gutters — but much functional damage isn't visible from the ground. A professional inspection with photo documentation is free from most reputable contractors and is the foundation of a successful insurance claim.
How much does new siding cost?
For a typical two-story Midwest home, full siding replacement generally runs $15,000–$40,000+ depending on material: vinyl at the lower end, LP SmartSide in the middle, and fiber cement at the top. Tear-off findings, trim scope, and house complexity move the number, which is why detailed written quotes matter.
More Categories
- Roofing Tips & Guides — Expert roofing tips, maintenance guides, shingle comparisons, and storm damage advice from licensed contractors with 25+ years of experience.
- Window Replacement Tips & Guides — Window replacement guides, energy efficiency tips, frame material comparisons, and advice on choosing the right windows for your home.
- Deck Building Tips & Guides — Deck building guides, composite vs. wood comparisons, maintenance tips, design ideas, and cost information for your outdoor living space.
- Gutter Installation Tips & Guides — Gutter installation guides, guard comparisons, maintenance schedules, and drainage solutions to protect your home from water damage.
- Storm Damage Tips & Guides — Storm damage repair guides, insurance claim tips, hail and wind damage identification, and emergency response information for homeowners.
- Home Improvement Tips & Guides — General home improvement advice, seasonal maintenance checklists, ROI guides, and expert tips for protecting and upgrading your home.