FAQs

Felt paper or a thin paper like product was installed. This one-layer paper was installed with staples punching thousands of holes in it. Then stucco or siding was installed over the top with nails punching hundreds more holes. This paper product that was installed to keep water out now has thousands of holes in it, ready to leak. Add this major problem to the fact they installed nothing to allow water out or venting for drying to occur and you now have recipe for failure.

They are still installing thin paper like products. Now the products are better and some even claim to be drainable. But it is not a full system incorporating a membrane to alleviate the concern of holes and allow for drying.

It just does not make any sense. How can people be spending tens of thousands of dollars to have products installed that are going to leak…that will not control moisture…and will not allow for drying. Too many companies focus so much on what you see…the siding looks amazing…the stone looks fabulous…the stucco looks great. Well, when your house was new the stucco looked great, the siding looked amazing and the stone looked fabulous. What you do not see is what truly matters. So, seeing that the other guy’s work “looks good” does not mean it is good. Ask them what they are installing under the stucco, stone, siding, or brick. Are they installing what all the other guys are installing? Are they just installing thin paper like products?

Sometime yes, but you are paying for better products, higher quality, and unmatched warranty. It seems like there is always someone that can do it cheaper, but what are they doing that allows them to do it cheaper and still make money. They can cut corners underneath the new cladding to keep their costs down because no one can see this. They can use cheaper products like mechanically fastened house wraps that are not much different than what you currently have. Going cheap can lead to failures in the very near future which can costs tens of thousands of dollars. So, paying a little more up front is a lot less than having to pay twice. Also going with advanced products will like self-adhered house wrap will save money on your energy bill. So, paying a little bit more truly is worth it.

We have learned a tremendous amount about being able to “build better” the exterior of homes and how to help make your home more energy efficient. Ai Restoration builds high performance exteriors and this is all we do.

YES…the years a contractor is in business not only shows that they reputable but also shows that their work must last.

Everyone says “the stucco is the problem; replace it and you will not have a problem”. This is not true. Look at your stucco. Is it cracked like crazy? I bet it is not. Is it falling off the wall? I bet it is not. Is it a terrible stucco job? I bet it is not. It is what is under the stucco that is the problem, actually it is what is not under your stucco that is the real problem. Residential homes built for many decades have only a thin paper like product under the stucco trying to protect the exterior of your home from water. The even bigger problem is that almost everyone is still installing thin paper like products with outdated methods and expecting different results.

The way homes are built as greatly changed over the years, yet almost every builder and contractor is still installing exterior claddings the same way they used to. This truly puzzles us! The way homes are built today is to make them more energy efficient to not only save you the homeowner money but also to keep you more comfortable. The easiest way to make a home more energy efficient is to make it more air tight. If the hot air during the winter does not leak out and the cold air during the summer does not leak out…you will have better efficiency. This change in construction greatly effects the exterior walls of the homes and makes it more difficult for them to dry. So, the need to manage water and moisture that gets under the siding, stone, stucco, etc. in today’s construction is greater than ever. They way siding gets installed today is different than the way it used get installed.

Yes, stone veneer is installed in a similar fashion to stucco so if not installed with the proper water-moisture-air barrier system the stone veneer will fail in a short time and cause tens of thousands of dollars in damages.

The short answer is yes. Generally, cement board siding is more expensive than vinyl siding. Although Ai Restoration installs a hybrid vinyl siding with composite corners that is an amazing product that competes with cement board in quality and pricing.

Yes…the need for drainage and airspace for drying under cement board siding can not be overstated. While cement board is moisture-resistant, it is not waterproof, and trapped moisture can reduce its lifespan. Also, the trapped moisture will rot the wood on your home’s walls.

Yes…there are a number of very important steps to installing cement board siding and if they are not properly followed the repair costs can be very high and may cause rot to the underlying walls. Just a couple important aspects of installation…minimum spacing from surfaces like: roofing, ground, decks, etc., flashing at all butt joints, no caulk at butt joints, specified spacing from dissimilar surfaces, underlying drainage, air space, fasten correctly, seal cut edges, and many more. Most of these are things that are under the siding that you cannot see, so make sure your contractor is not cutting corners.

In Eastern Pennsylvania, most homeowners spend $78,000 to over $150,000 on full siding replacement, depending on the size of their home and the material chosen.

Typical price ranges by material:

• Vinyl siding: $6–$9 per sq. ft.
• Insulated vinyl: $8–$12 per sq. ft.
• Fiber cement (James Hardie): $11–$16 per sq. ft.
• Engineered wood: $10–$14 per sq. ft.
• Stone veneer (accent areas): $35–$55 per sq. ft.
• Window and door resetting: $425 – $825 each

Factors that influence cost:

• Home size & layout
• Number of windows/doors
• Water-moisture-air barrier
• Flashings
• Tear-off vs. new construction
• Trim and accent choices
• Labor & disposal fees

Because every home exterior is different, the best way to get accurate pricing is an on-site assessment — not a “one-price-fits-all” estimate.

At first glance, vinyl is cheaper to buy and install — but fiber cement (James Hardie) often wins in appearance and home value.

Vinyl siding:

• Lower upfront cost
• Low maintenance
• Less impact resistance

Fiber cement siding:

• Higher upfront cost
• Top-tier durability
• Boosts resale value

Long-term winner:
Fiber cement if you are looking at resale value.
Vinyl if budget and low maintenance matters more.

The short answer is yes. Generally, cement board siding is more expensive than vinyl siding.

Cost drivers:

• Size/height of the home
• Window and door count
• Decks, stoops, patios, etc.
• Material choice
• Removing damaged or moldy sheathing
• Adding insulation
• Upgrading trim materials
• Complex rooflines
• Labor-intensive details

How to keep costs under control:

• Choose standard-color siding (custom colors cost more)
• Use fiber cement only on front elevations if needed
• Plan installation during off-peak seasons
• Fix underlying water issues early — damage only gets more expensive

New siding is one of the highest-ROI (return on investment) exterior projects you can do.

Average return on investment:

• Vinyl siding: 67–75% ROI
• Fiber cement: 75–83% ROI
• Mixed-material exteriors (stone + siding): 80–90% ROI

Why ROI is so strong here:

• Bucks County homes command higher prices with updated exteriors
• Energy efficiency improves marketability
• “Turnkey-ready exteriors” are a top buyer demand
• Transferable warranties are of great value

Homeowners often see an exterior refresh increase curb appeal dramatically — sometimes generating $50k–$150k in perceived home value.

Low bids often hide problems such as:

• No moisture management system
• Improper flashing
• Low-quality products
• Poor nailing patterns leading to warping
• No removal of damaged sheathing
• No permits or insurance

A low-cost installation can cost you 2–3× more later when water intrusion or mold is discovered. Always compare scope, not just price.

In most cases — yes, especially in PA’s freeze-thaw climate.

Premium siding offers:

• Longer warranties
• Better insulation
• Thicker, more durable panels
• Less fading
• Stronger resistance to wind, hail, and pests

If you plan to stay in your home more than 5–7 years, investing in premium materials usually pays off in longevity and curb appeal.

A trustworthy siding quote should include:

• Full tear-off and disposal
• True water management system
• Flashing & trim details
• Top tier products
• Labor, permits, warranties
• Window and door flashing

Red flags:

• Quotes based only on “linear feet”
• No reference to moisture barriers
• No mention of window or door flashings
• Short or vague estimates

A detailed quote helps protect you from surprise fees later.

Sometime yes, but you are paying for better products, higher quality, and unmatched warranty. It seems like there is always someone that can do it cheaper, but what are they doing that allows them to do it cheaper and still make money. They can cut corners underneath the new cladding to keep their costs down because no one can see this. They can use cheaper products like mechanically fastened house wraps that are not much different than what you currently have. Going cheap can lead to failures in the very near future which can costs tens of thousands of dollars. So, paying a little more up front is a lot less than having to pay twice. Also going with advanced products will like self-adhered house wrap will save money on your energy bill. So, paying a little bit more truly is worth it.

Homeowners often miss early warning signs of failing siding. Here are the most important red flags:

1. Warping, buckling, or bulging panels
   This usually indicates moisture trapped behind the siding, which can lead to mold or rot in the wall sheathing.
2. Cracked or broken boards
   Once cracks form, water finds its way in — especially during freeze-thaw cycles common in Eastern Pennsylvania.
3. Soft spots or “mushy” walls
   This is a major warning sign of rotting sheathing behind stucco or siding.
4. Faded or chalking panels
   UV exposure causes color breakdown. When fading is severe, it often means the siding has reached the end of its lifespan.
5. High energy bills
   Failing siding or missing insulation can cause drafts and temperature imbalance inside the home.

If two or more of these signs appear, replacement is usually the better long-term decision.

Many Eastern Pennsylvania homeowners discover moisture problems years after a poor siding job.

Common installation mistakes that cause hidden water intrusion:

• No proper moisture barrier
• Improper window/door flashing
• Overlapping seams that direct water into the wall
• Nail penetrations without sealing
• Installing new siding over existing rot

Water behind siding does not dry easily — leading to mold, rot, swollen sheathing, and structural issues.

A proper siding installation ALWAYS starts with removing old siding and inspecting the wall beneath.

Unfortunately, no:

• Traps moisture between layers
• Hides existing structural damage
• Leads to uneven walls
• Voids many manufacturers’ warranties
• Shortens siding lifespan

In Eastern Pennsylvania’s humid climate, siding-over-stucco is not recommended. Most reputable contractors perform a full tear-off to avoid long-term issues.

Unfortunately, many installation problems begin with the installer — not the product.

Top mistakes:

• Skipping the water-moisture-air management system
• Not pulling windows and doors
• Improper nailing technique (too tight, causing warping)
• Not addressing stoops, patios, decks
• Incorrect clearances and flashings at roofs, decks, patios, stoops, or grade
• Ignoring manufacturer guidelines
• Using cheap caulking that fails quickly
• No inspection of work being performed (quality control)

Even the best siding brand will fail prematurely if installed incorrectly.

Flashing directs water AWAY from your home. When installed incorrectly, water is guided into the walls.

Common flashing failures include:

• No sill flashing under windows
• Improper head flashing
• Missing kick-out flashing at roof-siding transitions
• Incomplete flashing around doors
• Using caulk instead of flashing

This leads to:

• Rot
• Mold
• Structural damage
• Interior leaks
• Stucco/siding failure

Correct flashing is non-negotiable for a long-lasting siding system.

When siding is not sealed correctly, moisture enters — but does not escape. This creates the perfect environment for mold growth, especially behind stucco or fiber cement.

Mold thrives when:

• There is trapped moisture
• The wall cannot properly dry out
• A proper water-moisture-air barrier was never installed
• Flashing is missing
• There is existing wood rot

Homeowners usually discover mold only when:

• Interior walls feel damp
• Odors appear
• Paint begins to bubble
• Allergies worsen
• During the selling process of a home with inspections

Correct installation and proper ventilation eliminate this risk.

Felt paper or a thin paper like product was installed. This one-layer paper was installed with staples punching thousands of holes in it. Then stucco or siding was installed over the top with nails punching hundreds more holes. This paper product that was installed to keep water out now has thousands of holes in it, ready to leak. Add this major problem to the fact they installed nothing to allow water out or venting for drying to occur and you now have recipe for failure.

They are still installing thin paper like products. Now the products are better and some even claim to be drainable. But it is not a full system incorporating a membrane to alleviate the concern of holes and allow for drying.

It just does not make any sense. How can people be spending tens of thousands of dollars to have products installed that are going to leak…that will not control moisture…and will not allow for drying.

Too many companies focus so much on what you see…the siding looks amazing…the stone looks fabulous…the stucco looks great. Well, when your house was new the stucco looked great, the siding looked amazing and the stone looked fabulous. What you do not see is what truly matters.

So, seeing that the other guy’s work “looks good” does not mean it is good. Ask them what they are installing under the stucco, stone, siding, or brick. Are they installing what all the other guys are installing? Are they just installing thin paper like products?

YES…the years a contractor is in business not only shows that they reputable but also shows that their work must last.

Everyone says “the stucco is the problem; replace it and you will not have a problem”. This is not true.

Look at your stucco. Is it cracked like crazy? I bet it is not. Is it falling off the wall? I bet it is not. Is it a terrible stucco job? I bet it is not.

It is what is under the stucco that is the problem, actually it is what is not under your stucco that is the real problem. Residential homes built for many decades have only a thin paper like product under the stucco trying to protect the exterior of your home from water. The even bigger problem is that almost everyone is still installing thin paper like products with outdated methods and expecting different results.

The way homes are built as greatly changed over the years, yet almost every builder and contractor is still installing exterior claddings the same way they used to. This truly puzzles us!

The way homes are built today is to make them more energy efficient to not only save you the homeowner money but also to keep you more comfortable. The easiest way to make a home more energy efficient is to make it more air tight.

If the hot air during the winter does not leak out and the cold air during the summer does not leak out…you will have better efficiency. This change in construction greatly effects the exterior walls of the homes and makes it more difficult for them to dry.

So, the need to manage water and moisture that gets under the siding, stone, stucco, etc. in today’s construction is greater than ever. The way siding gets installed today is different than the way it used get installed.

Yes, stone veneer is installed in a similar fashion to stucco so if not installed with the proper water-moisture-air barrier system the stone veneer will fail in a short time and cause tens of thousands of dollars in damages.

Yes…the need for drainage and airspace for drying under cement board siding can not be overstated. While cement board is moisture-resistant, it is not waterproof, and trapped moisture can reduce its lifespan. Also, the trapped moisture will rot the wood on your home’s walls.

Yes…there are a number of very important steps to installing cement board siding and if they are not properly followed the repair costs can be very high and may cause rot to the underlying walls.

Just a couple important aspects of installation…minimum spacing from surfaces like: roofing, ground, decks, etc., flashing at all butt joints, no caulk at butt joints, specified spacing from dissimilar surfaces, underlying drainage, air space, fasten correctly, seal cut edges, and many more.

Most of these are things that are under the siding that you cannot see, so make sure your contractor is not cutting corners.

Both materials are popular in Eastern Pennsylvania, but they perform very differently.

Vinyl Siding
Pros:

• Lower cost
• Low maintenance
• Many color options
• Resistant to pests and rot

Cons:

• Can warp in high heat
• Can crack in cold winters
• Not as durable in storms
• Color can fade over time

Fiber Cement (James Hardie)
Pros:

• Extremely durable
• Withstands freeze–thaw cycles
• Fire-resistant
• Does not warp, crack, or melt
• Premium, upscale appearance

Cons:

• Higher installation cost
• Heavier product

Many Eastern Pennsylvania homes still have stucco, which leads homeowners to ask whether siding is the better choice.

Stucco
Pros:

• Traditional aesthetic
• Good sound insulation
• Durable product

Cons:

• Common moisture failures in this region if not installed properly
• Cracks are common
• Requires maintenance

Siding (Vinyl or Fiber Cement)
Pros:

• More affordable to install
• Variety of colors/styles
• Excellent moisture management
• Long warranties
• Better resale value

Cons:

• Material choice impacts durability
• Fiber cement requires maintenance
• Vinyl low impact resistant

Which is better?
All are good options. If your home was designed with the stucco look it may be of good value to stay with that look. If you are looking at costs or resale value siding may be the better investment.

Horizontal Siding

• Classic, traditional look
• Works well on most home styles
• Slightly more affordable

Vertical (Board & Batten)

• Modern farmhouse appeal
• Creates height and visual interest
• More expensive due to additional trim and detail work

What is best for Eastern Pennsylvania homes?

• Colonial and Cape Cod homes: Horizontal
• Modern or farmhouse-style homes: Vertical
• Many homeowners choose both — horizontal on the main walls and vertical in gables/accents

Real Wood

• Beautiful, natural appearance
• High maintenance
• Vulnerable to rot, pests, fire
• Needs regular painting

Engineered Wood (e.g., LP SmartSide)

• More durable
• Treated to resist moisture and pests
• Lower maintenance
• More consistent appearance
• Typically, cheaper

Winner: Engineered wood lasts longer and performs far better in Eastern Pennsylvania’s moisture-heavy climate.

Insulated Siding Benefits:

• Improved energy efficiency
• Reduced drafts
• Quieter interior
• Straighter wall appearance
• Better impact resistance

Homes with older framing or lacking insulation benefit most.

Standard siding

• Cheaper
• Still low maintenance
• Good option for tight budgets

Worth it? Yes — especially for older Eastern Pennsylvania homes with poor insulation.

Fastest: Vinyl siding
Moderate: Engineered wood
Slowest: Fiber cement (James Hardie) (Heavier material + more precise installation)

Weather conditions, home size, and tear-off needs also impact timing.

Siding

• More affordable
• Many style options
• Easy to mix colors/textures

Stone Veneer

• Very high-end look
• Great for accents (chimneys, foundations, entryways)
• Much more expensive per sq. ft.

Best approach for curb appeal: A combination of siding + stone veneer delivers the most impressive transformation without overspending. Most Eastern Pennsylvania homeowners use stone as an accent, not a full exterior.