Regarding exterior maintenance, many homeowners are convinced that “vinyl is final!” despite the fact that there is no such thing as a maintenance-free exterior. They all need upkeep. Regardless, vinyl siding remains a popular option for many. Personally, I only have a problem with it as a replacement siding for historic buildings. I think it is an appropriate option for new construction which is designed for its application and where it is not at risk of compromising historic architectural details (as long as one doesn’t mind the toxicity long associated with the product). It’s frequently used as a cover-up to hide the scars left by remodeling or unsightly deferred maintenance issues.
Because it remains on the market, there must be plenty of people who like it. Here are three reasons why I don’t:
This Second Empire house has been consumed by vinyl siding to the extent that its mansard roof now appears to a slowly melting second story. Imagine the historic details which by necessity had to be removed in order to accommodate this installation: cornice, brackets, moldings… it’s safe to say that this house once had a very different (and much, much, better) appearance. This is NOT what a house with a mansard roof should look like.
This former Colonial Revival would be difficult to categorize stylistically if it were not for the (thankfully) surviving front porch. Conversion to a duplex removed windows from the the first floor front and rearranged/replaced windows on the second floor front. Vinyl siding conceals the scars but simultaneously calls attention to the defaced structure. Despite the handsome porch details, the space is a dead zone without windows or glazing in the doors. And the second story is just plain sad.
What was once the most attractive feature of this Craftsman Bungalow – a charming dormer window – is now just a large, white, polygon sitting on the roof. Thanks, Vinyl Siding! You’ve made it easier for people to uglify our streets.
Oh, and here’s a fourth reason to question the desirability of vinyl siding: a wonderfully comedic documentary entitled Blue Vinyl. This link is to a 4-minute trailer on YouTube.
I love your post on vinyl siding.
Thanks! I’ll have more delicious images of hideous vinyl installations in the future, so check back for more observations!
To be honest, none of these egregious errors are caused by the siding product used. Vinyl doesn’t kill houses, people kill houses.