• Made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
• Resists rotting and flaking
• Has the potential to crack, split, or fade after a few years
• Can be environmentally toxic when burned

• Resists cracking
• Is fireproof
• Is extremely durable
• Easy to maintain
• Can be dented with enough force

• Available in cedar, pine, spruce, redwood, Cyprus, or Douglas fir
• Is wholly durable
• Requires only periodic maintenance
• Available in natural, engineered, or composite models

Advice for Selecting Siding
As the DoItYourself.com blog astutely points out, it's tough to gauge the look of siding from a home improvement showcase. If you're serious about siding, drive to various neighborhoods in your area and see what the materials look like on other homes. Home design and style magazines offer another way to consider siding options before making a purchase.

Costs for Popular Siding
Siding costs are split into materials and labor. Since installation fees vary by locale, we'll just concentrate on the cost of materials for the various types. In a personal interview with Todd Sorrell, an Atlanta-based contractor and siding expert, he offers several price points for siding materials that may assist you in your budgeting strategy:

• Vinyl Siding. Around $2 to $3 per square foot
• Wood Siding. $3.5 to 6.5 per square foot
• Aluminum Siding. $3 to $5 per foot

Siding Contractors
Truth be told, installing siding is not really a do-it-yourself project. It requires tools and techniques that most homeowners simply don't possess. So above choosing the right material, the project requires a keen sense of evaluation with respect to hiring a contractor. There is a methodology you can follow to protect your investment. Consumer Reports--the expert, independent, nonprofit consumer protection organization--reveals several strategies to keep in mind before you hire a siding contractor:

• Let References Be Your Guide. Perhaps the best indicator of a quality contractor is the wake of satisfied customers that he or she leaves behind
• Comparison Shopping Is In. Get several estimates for the work--a challenging economy makes this a buyer's market
• Make It Official. Ensure that potential hires are registered, licensed, and bonded to perform the work in your particular state

Choosing siding for your home can be taxing on even the most experienced home-improvement consumer. But by using common sense and setting guidelines, you can succeed in buying the right material and having it installed at an affordable price.

Installing new home siding can increase your home's value, energy efficiency, and curb appeal, but in most cases you'll want a professional to tackle the job. If you choose the right siding contractor, making that choice will be the hardest part of the installation process. You'll be able to sit back and enjoy the fact that a reliable, trained professional is on the job.
But don't relax yet. Choosing a siding contractor should feel similar to recruiting for job candidates and performing a series of interviews, because that's exactly what's happening--you're hiring an employee to do a job.

Step 1: Find Candidates for Your Siding Contractor Job
Homeowners who take on a big project like residing their home need to ask friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors for contractor recommendations. People you know that have completed a residing job will be able to provide honest feedback on the process and advice on whether to use the same contractor.
If you don't know anyone personally, other trusted home or commercial contractors can be an excellent resource for finding siding specialists. Check the list of Certified Vinyl Siding Installers at the Vinyl Siding Institute if you're using a vinyl product on your home. Keep in mind that home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's often provide contracting services for siding installation, as well.

Step 2: Interview Contractors and Ask Questions
Once you've found several possible candidates, meet with each contractor to go over whatever questions you might have. Try to interview them in person, if possible, because that typically gives you a better feel for the way you will interact. Possible questions include:

• What steps are involved in the installation and how long will it take?
• How does the contractor communicate with a client and how often?
• Is the contractor licensed, insured and bonded? Ask for documentation
• What scope of services are covered under quotes they provide (delivery of product, hauling away of debris, etc.)

Step 3: Review Possible Contractors
If you are still interested in a particular contractor after the interview, request a quote. When you have received quotes from each possible contractor, review the particulars for comparing and contrasting. Obviously price will be a consideration, but look at scope, timing, and other factors in narrowing down the list.

Step 4: Check Your Siding Contractor's References
When you know which contractor you'd like to hire, make sure to do a reference check. Past customers will be the best indicator for what to expect from your experience. If you're going to skimp on the process, do not skimp here. Some homeowners even check references for more than one contractor before making a final decision.

Step 5: Communicate Your Decision
Contact your chosen company and discuss any last minute details, then communicate your decision and schedule a start date. If possible, be courteous and let the other contractors know you won't be using them. Even a quick e-mail will be very helpful.
Taking the time to choose the right contractor can feel like a big job, but your detailed legwork now could save you a lot of hassles down the road.