The home improvement sector continually undergoes many changes. Sometimes, siding manufacturers discontinue certain product versions or whole ranges, rendering some homeowners in a internet search frenzy, hunting down that discontinued siding for repair or replacement purposes. This informative blog post will explore this widespread issue, providing useful insights and advice for homeowners and professionals alike.
What Is Discontinued Siding?
Discontinued siding refers to exterior cladding products that manufacturers no longer sell or produce. The discontinuation could result from various reasons, such as design updates, material changes, or the introduction of more efficient and stylish products.
This scenario is problematic when a homeowner's existing siding incurs damage, requiring part replacements. If it's no longer available, finding an exact match becomes a considerable challenge.
Why Siding Gets Discontinued
Industry Innovations
The construction industry frequently introduces new materials, manufacturing processes, and technologies. These innovations often render some siding products obsolete, leading to their discontinuation.
Changing Consumer Preferences
As home improvement trends evolve, consumer preferences follow suit - another factor leading to siding discontinuation. If today's homeowners prefer fiber cement over vinyl siding, manufacturers might halt the less popular choice's production.
Manufacturer Economics
Sometimes, manufacturers may discover that producing a specific siding style or color is no longer economically viable. As a result, they discontinue the product, focusing on more profitable options.
The Challenge With Discontinued Siding
The primary issue with discontinued siding arises when homeowners need to repair or replace damaged sections. It's here that they discover their siding type is no longer available, making an exact match impossible, prompting aesthetic concerns and decisions on setting up an entire siding.
Solutions For Discontinued Siding Issues
While discontinued siding is problematic, it's not insurmountable. There are several ways to address this issue:
Similar Substitute: You can use a similar-looking product, aiming to replicate the design and fit as closely as possible. However, subtle differences in color and design might still be noticeable. Such substitutes are often the easiest and quickest solutions, especially when dealing with minor damage.
Partial Replacement: If the damage is confined to one building side, consider replacing the entire affected side's siding. This strategy maintains a coherent look, although differences with other building sides may be evident.
Full Replacement: If your budget allows, the best long-term solution may be a complete siding replacement. This process updates the aesthetics and likely increases the home's value.
Finding Discontinued Siding
When facing a discontinued siding crisis, here are some starting points:
Online platforms such as eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace often feature discontinued building materials.
Local salvage or surplus stores occasionally stock discontinued items.
Reaching out to contractors or builders may prove fruitful. They may have leftover siding from previous projects.
Frequently Asked Questions about Discontinued Siding
Where Can I Find Discontinued Siding Styles?
Finding discontinued siding styles can be an uphill task. The best place to start will likely be online, specifically through marketplace platforms like eBay or Craigslist. Salvage yards or architectural salvage stores are also good options. It's also worth reaching out to an experienced siding contractor in your area as they may have some suggestions or contacts in the industry.
Why is Some Siding Discontinued?
There could be a few reasons why some siding options are discontinued. The manufacturer may have decided to modify the design or color of the siding. Also, the siding could have been discontinued due to a lack of popularity, or the materials used to make it are no longer available or become too expensive.
Does Discontinued Siding Affect My Home's Resale Value?
If your home has discontinued siding, it can potentially affect the resale value. This is largely because future homeowners may find it challenging to repair or replace the siding if it becomes damaged. However, in many cases, its impact on resale value will be small and may not significantly interrupt the home selling process.
Can Discontinued Siding be Painted or Stained?
Yes, if you can't find a replacement for a damaged portion of your discontinued siding, one option is to paint or stain it. This might help to maintain a consistent appearance across your home's exterior. Plus, a fresh coat of paint can often help to extend the life of your siding.
How to Deal with Damaged Discontinued Siding?
If your discontinued siding gets damaged, you may want to look into repair rather than replacement. There are professional siding repair services out there that specialize in fixing damages. If a significant portion becomes damaged, you might consider replacing all your siding with a new and currently available product.
How Long Does Siding Typically Last Before Being Discontinued?
The lifespan of siding before being discontinued varies widely and depends on a host of factors including the material used, its popularity, and the manufacturer's business plans. It's difficult to predict exactly when a particular type of siding will be discontinued.
Can Siding be Custom Made to Match Discontinued Siding?
Yes, in some cases, siding can be custom made to match discontinued siding. This process can be quite costly and time-consuming, particularly for more unusual or detailed siding designs. There are companies that specialize in this type of work, offering solutions for homeowners with discontinued siding.
Should I Be Concerned If My Siding is Discontinued?
Having discontinued siding isn't necessarily a cause for concern if the siding is in good condition or if you plan to stay in your home indefinitely. However, keep in mind that if your siding is damaged and needs to be replaced, it might be difficult to match the new siding with the discontinued siding.
Pros of Discontinued Siding
When it comes to home improvement, one of the most important aspects to consider is the siding. This is not only a way to protect the home’s exterior, but it also plays a crucial role in the overall aesthetics of the home. Here, we will delve into the advantages that come with opting for a discontinued siding.
Availability at a Discounted Price
The most obvious advantage of opting for a discontinued siding is the cost factor. Since these are items that manufacturers are looking to get off their shelves to make way for newer products, customers can usually snag these sidings at a significantly reduced price than their original cost. A savvy homeowner can often negotiate a sweet deal with the suppliers, making this an economical choice for those on a budget.
Unique Aesthetic Appeal
Since the siding has been discontinued, it means your home will present a unique aesthetic appeal that sets it apart. In other words, you often end up with a siding that is distinct from current trends. For homeowners who prefer a distinct or vintage look, discontinued siding could be an excellent choice.
Quality May Still Be High
Just because a siding has been discontinued from manufacturing, it doesn’t mean that it was of low quality. Often, manufacturers discontinue their products to release a new lineup, to cater to market trends, or because of a company decision, but not necessarily due to quality issues. Hence, one can still get high-quality siding at a reduced price.
Cons of Discontinued Siding
The affordable price tag and unique aesthetics of discontinued siding are appealing, but it is also essential to consider the potential downsides. What are some of the cons that come with these options? Below are some points to consider.
Difficulty Finding Replacements
Arguably the most significant drawback of opting for discontinued siding is the difficulty in finding replacements. Since the product line has been discontinued, it may be nearly impossible to find an exact match if you need to replace damaged pieces down the line. This will complicate any repair works you may need to undertake, leaving you with mismatched sidings or a complete replacement of the whole siding.
Unknown Future of the Product Line
When a company discontinues a product, it generally means that they will no longer support it. The product might be phased out gradually, or it may disappear from the market suddenly. In the case of siding, this could mean that any accessories or equipment needed for installation or repair might also become unavailable or difficult to find.
Limited Information and Reviews
Compared to current siding options, discontinued sidings may have limited information and reviews available. Researching about its performance, longevity, and other aspects vital for the decision-making process could be daunting. This makes it challenging for homeowners to make informed choices.
Limited Quantity
Another drawback of discontinued siding is the limited quantity available. Manufacturers and suppliers usually have a limited stock of discontinued items left. If the siding is necessary for a large home or project, there may not be enough in stock to complete the project. Additionally, if in future, any siding gets damaged, there will not be more available for purchase.
No Manufacturer’s Warranty
Since the product is discontinued, often the manufacturer’s warranty won't be applicable to these sidings. This lack of warranty means homeowners undertake a risk, and if the siding fails or does not perform as expected, the homeowner will be solely responsible for the cost of repair or replacement. This factor should be seriously considered when looking at the overall cost and budget.
Myths / Misconceptions about Discontinued Siding
Myth 1: Discontinued Siding is Irreplaceable
One of the most common misconceptions about discontinued siding is that once it's discontinued, it's impossible to find a replacement. True, the original manufacturer may no longer produce or sell it, but that doesn't mean a match can't be found.
Third-party suppliers often sell stocks of siding long after the manufacturing company discontinues the product. Also, there are companies that specialize in finding or producing matching siding for discontinued patterns. Additionally, with the advances in technology, some building restoration companies can replicate most siding profiles and textures, making it possible to replace damaged siding seamlessly.
Myth 2: Discontinued Siding Devalues a House
Home Value
There's a belief that having discontinued siding can potentially devalue your home. While aesthetic inconsistency due to not being able to perfectly match some siding might be unattractive to potential buyers, this doesn't necessarily mean your house will plummet in value. Often, the inside of the house and its other features play a bigger role in property valuation than just the siding.
Curb Appeal
Conversely, a house in a historic district with perfectly preserved or replicated discontinued siding could increase its value due to its unique and authentic appearance. What owners should avoid is replacing a few panels here and there with mismatched siding. This can be seen as a lack of maintenance, which can impact the overall curb appeal and potential value of the home.
Myth 3: Discontinued Siding Indicates Poor Quality
Another common myth is that siding becomes discontinued due to its poor quality. While manufacturing issues or a high rate of warranty claims might lead a company to discontinue a product, several other reasons can lead to the discontinuation of siding. It could simply be that the manufacturer wants to update their product line or that the particular style or color is no longer popular among homeowners. This does not necessarily reflect the quality of the siding itself.
Myth 4: Discontinued Siding is Expensive to Replace
While finding an exact replacement of discontinued siding can sometimes be pricier than acquiring standard siding, it isn't always true that it's prohibitively expensive. Often, the cost depends on the specific product and the current supply and demand for it. There can be instances when companies sell off their remaining stocks of the discontinued product at a reduced price. So, replacements can sometimes be found at a bargain, too.
Myth 5: Insurance Won’t Cover Replacements for Discontinued Siding
The misconception that insurance companies will not cover the cost of replacing discontinued siding often stems from misunderstanding the terms of the policy. Most insurance policies cover 'like kind and quality' replacements, but how that provision is interpreted can differ from company to company.
Some insurers may pay for the replacement of the entire home’s siding if the damaged section can’t be matched. However, others only cover the damage on sections with the understanding that the homeowner will pay out-of-pocket to replace sections that aren't damaged if they want a uniform look. Knowing the specifics of your insurance policy is essential to understanding which costs will be covered.
Myth 6: Vinyl Siding Never Gets Discontinued
Vinyl siding is known for its durability, versatility, and wide range of colors and textures. But that doesn't mean it never gets discontinued. Even vinyl siding can go out of production if the manufacturer decides to introduce a new range of products, shifts to making different kinds of building materials, or goes out of business.
So, while vinyl siding is a popular choice among homeowners, one should be mindful about the potential for it to be discontinued just like other siding materials.
In conclusion, homeowners should be aware of these myths and misconceptions about discontinued siding. Being informed can help homeowners make more educated decisions that can maintain, and in some cases, even increase their property's value.
Summary
Discontinued siding can sometimes be quite a headache for homeowners looking to make an upgrade or fix a spot on their house. It's not always easy to find the exact matching material since the company has stopped production. However, there's a bright side. You can see it as an excellent opportunity to experiment with different materials and colors, and give your home a modern revamp.
Remember, it's alright if you can't find the discontinued siding that you're after. Get in touch with local siding wholesalers and check whether they might have any leftover stock. Even if you have no luck there, don't worry. While the lack of uniformity could have been a problem years ago, these days mixing and matching styles has become quite a trend.
So, discontinued siding might initially seem like a problem, but with a little creativity, it can turn into a great chance to improve and update your home. Look for alternatives, play around with different options for materials and colors. You never know, you might end up liking your new design more than your original siding.
About Bay Area Siding Company
Bay Area Siding Company is your homegrown, go-to expert for top-notch siding solutions in Bay Area, CA. Born and nurtured right in the heart of the Bay Area, our company has spent several years perfecting the art of siding installation, repair, and maintenance - it's not just our job, it's our passion! We don't just serve the community, we're a part of it, and we're fully committed to providing our neighbors with quality craftsmanship they can trust and results they'll love. So, for a siding experience that's seamless in every sense, you know who to call: Bay Area Siding Company - we've got you covered.
