Vinyl Siding is Closest to Maintenance-Free

    By GENE AUSTIN, MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

    Q. I want to put new siding on my house, which currently has plywood siding. I want something that is maintenance-free. We plan to live in the house at least 20 years. What is the best choice? We also want to replace our deck. Should the siding or deck work be done first?

    I know of no siding that is "maintenance-free." Any material will need periodic cleaning at the least. However, vinyl siding comes about as close to being maintenance-free as possible, given the dirt, moisture and sun that bombard exteriors.

    I think vinyl is by far the best choice. Top-quality vinyl siding is available in many colors and will usually never need painting because the entire thickness is colored. Some manufacturers, such as CertainTeed (certainteed.com/certainteed/undefined/siding), offer lifetime warranties against peeling, cracking and other defects. The cost of vinyl siding also is reasonable. The positive features have made vinyl a leading choice for remodeling and new construction.

    If your deck is attached to the house in an area where it contacts siding, then the deck work should be done first.

    Q. Bats are roosting under my roof overhang, making stains on the siding, and making a mess on the deck below. I know bats are beneficial, but I'd like to get them to move out. Any ideas?

    You are correct about bats being beneficial. A single bat can gobble up hundreds of harmful insects, such as mosquitoes, in an hour. However, they also can carry diseases.

    To discourage the roosting bats, hang bird netting from the eaves to cover the roosting places, making access difficult. Staple the netting several inches from the wall. Keeping the area brightly lighted also will discourage them.

    You might want to erect a bat house on the fringe of your property. Bat houses are easy to build see the Web site batcon.org/ bhra/economyhouse.html. For more information on bats, go to pmraarla.gc .ca/english/consum/bats-e.html.

    Write to Gene Austin at doit861@aol.com or 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.

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