The Siding Buyer’s Guide for South Jersey

This is the free web version of our 16-page guide, written for South Jersey homeowners. Each chapter below is a short, plain-English summary that links to a full answer post. Read them all in one sitting or jump to your problem. If you want the whole thing as a printable PDF — including the 2-page “Before You Sign” quote checklist — we’ll text or email it to you free.

Chapter summaries

1. Is it time? Repair vs. replace

Some symptoms — a few cracked panels, one storm-damaged corner — are repairs. Others — widespread fading, waves across whole walls, rot at the bottoms of walls — point to replacement. The chapter includes a symptom table and one safety rule: don’t climb ladders to check; we will. Related: what happens if rot is found under your siding.

2. What’s behind your siding

Your wall is a system: framing, sheathing (the wood panels nailed to the framing), housewrap (a water-resistive barrier), flashing, then the siding. Siding sheds most rain; housewrap and flashing handle the rest. When walls rot, it is almost always a hidden-layer failure. See kickout flashing, the small part that rots walls.

3. Tear-off vs. siding over old siding

An overlay — new siding over old — is sometimes allowed and always cheaper up front. It also buries the sheathing, wrap and flashing you cannot inspect. We usually recommend a full tear-off. Full answer: can new siding go over old siding in NJ?

4. Choosing your material

Vinyl, insulated vinyl, fiber cement and engineered wood compared on look, upkeep, durability and relative cost — no absolute claims, just honest trade-offs. Start with vinyl vs. fiber cement for South Jersey homes.

5. Vinyl and insulated vinyl

What separates good vinyl (thickness, profile, warranty VERIFY per product) from cheap vinyl — and why installation, not the panel, causes most problems. See why vinyl siding goes wavy and is insulated vinyl worth it?

6. Fiber cement and engineered wood

James Hardie and LP SmartSide: heavier, dimensionally stable, and demanding. Clearances, joint treatment, cut-edge sealing and dust control all matter. Details on our fiber cement and engineered wood pages.

7. Windows, doors and flashing

Every opening needs flashing in the right order: sill, jambs, then head. Capping trim with aluminum is not flashing. Small part, big consequences — see the kickout flashing explainer.

8. Soffit, fascia, gutters and trim

Rotted fascia gets repaired before it is wrapped, vented soffit feeds your attic airflow, and gutters coordinate with kickout flashing. Details on our soffit, fascia and gutters page.

9. Colors and design

Pair siding with your roof, brick and front door. View physical samples on your wall in sun and shade — never choose off a screen. Read how to choose a siding color that works with your roof.

10. What siding costs

Whole-home ranges by material, price per square explained, the 10 cost drivers, and financing with the total price shown first. All figures come from our price book, reviewed each spring. See the siding cost page and the best time of year to replace siding.

11. Our process and warranty

The 7-step job sequence, the closeout file you receive, and the difference between a product warranty and a workmanship warranty. See our process and siding warranties explained.

12. Before You Sign checklist

The 2-page checklist: verify the HIC registration and insurance, then score every quote on tear-off, sheathing unit price, housewrap brand, flashing, kickouts, trim, permits, cleanup, disposal, payment schedule and warranty. Use it on us too. It is also on our compare quotes page, and here is how long the work takes once you sign. Older home? Read the lead-safe rules for pre-1978 homes.

Guide FAQ