Siding in Needham, MA

New siding on a Needham house has to handle nor'easter rains, snow that sits against the foundation, and the freeze-thaw cycles that punish any gap in the exterior. We cover what a siding replacement involves on the colonials, capes and split-levels common in town, the materials our crews install, and how the job runs from the first measurement to the final walk-through with the town inspector.

What siding replacement involves on a Needham house

On a typical Needham home the crew removes the old siding down to the sheathing, then checks every wall for rot, carpenter ant damage and gaps in the original board sheathing. Rotted sections get cut out and replaced with new plywood or OSB so the wall plane is solid and flat before anything new goes on.

After the sheathing is sound, we wrap the house with a weather-resistant barrier and flash every opening with metal head flashing and flexible tape at the corners. On houses built before 1978 we follow the Massachusetts lead-safe renovation rules: the work area is contained, the crew uses HEPA vacuums and the site gets a dust wipe clearance test at the end. Here are the steps:

• Tear off the existing siding and trim, bagging debris as it comes down.
• Inspect and repair the sheathing, replacing rotted or delaminated sections.
• Install house wrap, window and door flashing, and insect screen at the bottom edge.
• Set a straight starter course and nail up the new siding with the gap the manufacturer calls for.
• Trim out corners, windows and fascia, caulk the joints that move, and paint or leave the factory finish as specified.

Which siding materials hold up in a New England climate

Fiber cement, vinyl, polymer shakes, composite and cedar all hold up here. Each suits a different house and budget. James Hardie fiber cement resists rot, wind-driven rain and freeze-thaw damage, so it is a common choice for colonials and capes. Vinyl from CertainTeed is the lowest-maintenance option and comes in a wide color range.

Polymer shakes such as Cedar Impressions give the cedar-shake look without the upkeep, while Everlast and Ascend composites add insulation value. Real cedar suits historic streets and older homes where natural wood fits the character of the neighborhood.

How a siding project runs from the first visit to the final walk-through

We start with a free in-home visit. One of our project managers measures the house, checks the sheathing and trim, and talks through the styles and colors you have in mind. After that visit you get a written proposal that lists the exact siding product, color, trim and scope of work.

• We file the building permit with the Town of Needham and schedule the first inspection.
• Our own installation crew removes the old siding, repairs any rotted sheathing, and wraps the house with a weather-resistant barrier and flashing at windows and doors.
• If the house was built before 1978, we follow Massachusetts lead-safe work practices during tear-off and cleanup.
• New siding goes up course by course, with trim and corner boards installed as the job progresses.
• We take away all debris daily and leave the site clean at the end of the job.
• When the work is complete, we walk the finished siding with you and make sure every detail matches the proposal before the final town inspection closes the permit.

Siding we have installed in Needham

Our own crews, not subcontractors, have replaced siding on houses across Needham in recent years. Homeowners there most often choose James Hardie fiber cement in lap and clapboard styles. Other jobs use Everlast composite. Popular colors include Flagstone, Gray Slate and Heathered Moss.