As long as you are replicating the look of your home, I don't think you are making a mistake. Siding replacement offers the hghest return on investment in home renovations. Many companies offer detailed siding, trim and accessories to easily help you maintain its existing look. You will not only add value to your home, but you will save on heating and cooling costs because most companies include insulation with the install. My home was built in 1908 and I have experienced the same situation, Call me if you would like to discuss.

Take a look at http://www.victoriansource.com and look at the restoration of the 1897 home on the site.There is a nice description of materials used that replicate the look and feel of clapboard and shingles. Vinyl would look terrible and vinyl suffocates the wood underneath leading to dry rot.

Judging from your question, I am guessing that your house is a Victorian? I wouldn't even consider putting vinyl siding on the house. For the simple reason that putting this kind of siding on an older home can make the house look plastic and not accentuate the exterior period details of the home. You could try beaded siding which would probably retain the antique look.

Good luck!

Robin Lynch
Keller Williams Realty Group
760 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Remodeling Magazine does a study every year to show which projects yield the highest return on resale value. Vinly Siding replacement is always at the top of the list every year. Exterior projects always yeild a higher return value on resale. However, an important factor is the character of the house. If the Vinyl destroys the character of the house, then don't do it. Even though its cheaper, you will regret it. Check out the link to the study.

http://www.askrey.net/blogs/rey_hollingsworth_falu/archive/2…

-Rey Hollingsworth Falu
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
Houlihan Lawrence
917-855-0277

Hi, If you are going to restore the exterior, the historically correct way of doing it is whatever the original siding is. Another example is if you change windows put the wood framed double pane windows, not vinyl. On the other hand vinyl siding is very practical and easy to maintain and in Yonkers doesn't need a permit. Aluminum siding does because it has to be grounded, that is just an FYI. I don't think it would be a mistake to use vinyl these days, especially if they replicate the original Victorian siding. Let's face it the amount of buyers looking for something historically correct are much less then those looking for practical these days.

Sincerely,

Christopher Pagli
Associate Broker
Legends Realty Group
914.406.9023