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Aluminum and vinyl siding The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, March 10, 1998 - RU You've decided on siding for your home, and want the convenience of a low maintenance material coupled with a choice of textures, styles and colours. If that's narrowed your options down to vinyl or aluininuiri, liies a look it hie aiuei tics of thc two matenials. Aluminum has been a building material sta- pie for years, and once covered an estimated 10 per cent of North American homes. That figure dropped considerably today, with much of what would once have been covered in alu- minum now clad in the newer vinyl siding. Today you can buy vinyl and aluminum sid- ing in a variety of widths, designs, textures and colours. Horizontal or vertical, the choice is yours. Vinyl siding, particularly, can match just about al architectural styles. Historic homes have been clad completely in vinyl right down to fine decorative vinyl mouldings, and have managed to keep their period look intact. Both aluminum and vinyl are applied in much the same way, and both are available witb insulated backing, or designed to take drop-in panels of insulation. Because alu- minum is a poor insulator, it's often put up over rigid insulation. Pattemrs on vinyl may be shallower than on aluminum, but thc two fin- ishes do look similar. Vinyl is more flexible than aluminum, and therefore casier to work with, but both take lots of cutting and fitting for a first-class job. If vinyl's out on an improperly prepared wall, unevenness may show through more than with aluminum, and incorrect fitting (vinyl expands and contracts with exposure to temperature extremes) can make it snap under a sharp blow. It can buckle, which can also happen to alu- minum in the heat of the summer suni. While vinyl won't take bumpa and knocks welI in extremely cold weather, it does have a high resistance to dents. Because colour nons through the whole panel, chipping is not a problem, but some colours may be prone to fading more than others. The colour of aluminum sading cornes from enamel that's baked on at a factory. This finish can chip and peel if the siding is dented, which can liappeii tar fmore easily wiîh îieîal ihan with plastic if a stray basebaîl or even a heavy hailstorrn cornes aluminum's way. Scratches too can be a problem, but like vinyl, aluminum siding panels can be removed and replaced without too much trouble. There's less wind noise transmitted with vinyl than with aluminum, but aluminum is fireproof. Cleaning vinyl can be accomplished witb soap and water. It maintains that "new" look for yeara. More work is necessary to spruce up aluminum, whicb can faîl victim to fading and, tn some climates, chalking. This is what hap- pens when paint sheds pigment and leaves behind a fine powder. In excessive cases the siding the paint is supposed to protect can be left exposed. If aluminum siding sits above bricks, chalk- ing can leave streaks. A strong solution of hot water and dish detergent mixed with elbow grease should get rid of them. If you're having a tough time deciding between aluminum and vinyl siding, keep your eyes open when you're out and about in the neighbourhood. If a particular bouse finish catches your eye, it's wortb talking with the homeowners to find out particulars like what material was used, was it professionally installed or a do-it-yourself job, and how happy are they with the results. And talk to professional siding suppliera and installera bo leano as mucb as possible about the products you're considering buying. This article is provided by local realtors anad the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) f or the benefit of consumners in the real estate mnarket. Lamont Leone, Vice President and Branch Manager of Countrywide Town Centre Realty lnc. at 245 Main Street East, Milton in the Carniage Square plaza, is pleased to announce the appointment of 4 award winning sales repre- sentatives... Diane Carway, Ed Proveau, Norma Proveau and Joan Tattrie- Hollings. These 4 professionals have over 54 combined years of real estate experience in the Town of Milton and our surrounding countryside. Please join me in welcoming Diana, Ed, Norma and Joan to our staff. They can be contacted by phone at 878-9100 or drop by our office for a visit. The opportunity to be of service to the home owners of Milton will be a most welcomed one. Our commitment is "to deliver the best real estate services possible". We look forward to your cail. Close ta ton. 3+ bbof rooms, garage. 3 MOe wa 'esleoagat i ohaN atmiwt sutctatu Orl & bath hau#hWdfoc am,3+1 hitraamlar(or M) Please contact Chris. acre noar Kllbnde. PNvay. gmut aM d itaci Fmh decaratad thraugtmu $120.900. CSwtctCal motoreasemcali Tit Dofolr aniappci ent. Start. j'7 Visi hi W bite It Zpm Main Street Better ies- Realtv - Reýtltoi* d Gardens 1 1 , H9'i tïl-i'li -rill'i'leti -1