Best siding pros near Aurelia, IA

You cannot install clapboard siding on a bare, unprepared surface. Clapboard siding requires a clean, sturdy base made from plywood or similar materials, sometimes called backerboard. Then, it needs an underlayment or sheathing, a moisture membrane to help protect the exterior wall.

Note that sometimes clapboard siding is caulked as it’s installed for additional protection. We don’t suggest this: Caulking the siding can trap moisture inside the clapboards and lead to moisture damage over time. The siding needs some space to “breathe,” especially in rainy weather.

While bleach can be effective in killing mold, it may not fully remove mold stains from siding. Additionally, bleach can be harsh and may damage certain types of siding. It's recommended to use specialized mold cleaners or natural alternatives that are safe for your specific siding material as a part of your regular siding maintenance. 

On it own, aluminum siding has a relatively low insulation value (also called R-value); aluminum siding has an R-value of 0.61. However, you can purchase insulated aluminum siding to increase the R-value to between 2 and 5. You can also install additional insulation within your walls to help maintain temperatures within your home. On average, insulation costs $1,825 to install throughout the typical home.

The average cost to replace siding is $10,500, but you should expect to pay an average of $12,000 to install new siding over stucco. The additional cost goes toward assessing the old stucco for damage, any necessary repairs before the new siding goes up, and the materials and labor required to install furring strips over the stucco to attach the new material. Even with this additional cost, installing siding over stucco is often more affordable than removing the stucco and starting over.