Summer's here and it's a great time to give the outside of your home a makeover, and a great way to do that is with siding.

If you want a more permanent fix to the peeling paint on your home, or if your old siding is looking damaged, it may be time for some fresh siding.

"Siding can really improve the curb appeal of your home, so if you're thinking about ways to make your house more attractive, or if you're thinking about selling it, it's a great option. As well, it can help protect your house from the elements, especially if you have damaged siding or parts of your house that need protected,” says Angie Hicks, consumer expert.

If you're handy, and have the time, you may be able to do the job yourself, but in most cases, you should probably hire someone who does it for a living.

"When it comes to installing siding, you should probably hire a professional, especially if you don't have the right equipment because if you don't it could be dangerous, if you have too short of a ladder, for example. Also, if you don't know how to install it and you do so improperly, you might actually void the warranty that comes with the siding,” says Hicks.

You need to decide what kind of siding: wood, vinyl or aluminum. Wood is the most expensive and can attract insects and needs the most maintenance. Aluminum is almost as expensive as wood and can dent and is being phased out in a lot of markets. Most people choose vinyl because it's about half the price as the others, but can crack, chip and fade over the years.

Whichever you choose, find a contractor that specializes in that type.

Installation can take anywhere from one week to three weeks, depending on the type of material and the amount of trim accessories you need installed.

Siding is no more mess than a roofing job. You'll likely have a dumpster on site. Ask the crew how they will clean up the job site each day.

Here’s some additional information for choosing new siding for you home:

According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), adding new siding is one of the best returns on an investment a homeowner can make.

Homeowners must weigh the pros and cons of the different siding types and choose what best fits their personal tastes and budgets. Homeowners can choose from a variety of siding options to fit their needs. Wood, vinyl and fiber-cement are the most popular choices.

• Wood: Offers a nice aesthetic appeal to many homeowners but can be pricey, inviting to insects and requires more maintenance than other siding types. The cost of wood generally is $6 to $8 per square foot.


• Vinyl: Easy-to-maintain, low-cost option and doesn't rot or wear like wood, but it can crack, chip and fade over time, all of which is unsightly and can detract from your home's curb appeal. The cost of vinyl is generally $3 to $5 per square foot.


• Aluminum: More rigid than vinyl, but can dent and is being phased out. The cost of aluminum is about $5 to $7 per square foot.


• Fiber cement: Has more of a wood appearance and is more durable than vinyl, has become the preferred choice of homeowners in recent years, but typically costs more than vinyl. Fiber cement is fire resistant. The cost of fiber cement is about $6 to $7 per square foot.

Siding Installation:


• At first glance, installing siding may look simple - but if installed improperly, you could void your manufacturer's warranty.


• Adding siding yourself is also risky - it poses physical dangers, mostly from ladder falls.


• That being said, if you hire a company, choose a contractor who specializes in the siding product you choose - or they too could void the warranty, and choose a company who is insured should an accident occur on your property.


• Siding installation can take anywhere from one week to three weeks; depending on the type of material and the amount of trim accessories you need installed.


• Siding is no more mess than a roofing job. You'll likely have a dumpster on site. Ask the crew how they will clean up the job site each day.

Signs that it's time to replace your siding:


• It's a good idea to take a walk, once a year, around your house and check your siding.


• Look for signs of deterioration, rot, or missing pieces. For vinyl siding, check for fading and cracking.


• If it's time to replace your siding, don't put it if off - replacing siding will help give your home another shield from the elements.