Wondering what a full re-side actually involves? Here’s the short version. Fort Collins Siding Contractors handles siding replacement in Fort Collins and the nearby communities we serve.
Every job starts with taking the old siding off under the state’s asbestos and lead paint rules. With the wall open, we check the sheathing, replace what’s damaged, and wrap the wall before new siding and new trim go on.
Below, we’ll walk you through each step, the material choices, and the permit questions we hear most.
What a Whole-House Re-Side Includes
New siding is only the part you see. The work behind it decides how well it holds up to water and weather.
Here’s what a replacement covers from start to finish:
- Tear-off. The old siding and any trim being replaced come off, and the debris is cleared away.
- Sheathing. We check the sheathing across every wall. Soft, cracked or water-stained sections get replaced before anything covers them up again.
- House wrap and flashing. The wall gets new house wrap, and window and door openings get new flashing so water runs out instead of in.
- Starter strip, corners and J-channel. These set the lines the siding follows. A straight starter strip at the bottom and plumb corner posts are what make the finished wall look right.
- New siding and trim boards. The siding goes on course by course, and new trim boards finish the corners, windows, doors and eaves.
Choosing a Siding Material
We install fiber cement, engineered wood, vinyl, and wood and cedar. Steel is available as an option too. Each one looks, weighs and wears differently.
| Material | What it is | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber cement | A heavy board made with cement and wood fiber, in lap, panel and shingle styles | Fiber cement siding |
| Engineered wood | Wood strands or fibers bonded with resin, in long lap boards and panels | Engineered wood siding |
| Vinyl | Standard or insulated panels that lock together course by course | Vinyl siding |
| Wood and cedar | Real wood grain in lap, shingle and log siding | Wood and cedar siding |
| Steel | Metal panels, available as an option | Ask on your estimate |
On your estimate, we lay these options out side by side for your house. You can compare the look and the price range before you choose.
Permits and Reviews Before a Re-Side
In Fort Collins, replacing ordinary siding often needs no building permit. The catch is that the old siding has to come off under the state’s asbestos and lead paint rules.
Three exceptions always go with that:
- New vinyl siding. It needs a permit and has to go over a fire-rated wall.
- Homes 50 or more years old. These go through the city’s historic review first.
- Wildfire interface areas. In the parts of Fort Collins the state maps as wildfire interface, re-siding a quarter or more of the walls brings in the wildfire code.
That last one catches people off guard, because re-siding one or two walls can reach that quarter. We bring it up early, before you pick a material.
Outside Fort Collins, each community has its own rule. Our town pages for Wellington, Berthoud and Laporte spell out the ones that apply there.
Not Sure a Re-Side Is What You Need?
That’s what the free estimate is for. We look at the whole house and tell you plainly whether it calls for new siding or for siding repair, where only the damaged pieces are replaced and blended into the siding that stays.
Either way, you’ll leave knowing what your walls need and what it takes. Ask us for your free siding replacement estimate in Fort Collins, and we’ll set up a time to walk your house with you.
