Marin – Siding - Wood Shingles

Before you choose a wood shingle siding installer in Marin County, including the larger cities of Tiburon, Sausalito, Fairfax, Ross, and Belvedere, call them on the phone to discuss your options. It's good to have a list of questions ready and to write down the answers that the wood shingle siding installer gives you while you're talking to them. Use the following questions to guide in your discussion:

1. How experienced is your crew? Are they all licensed?
2. Are you insured, licensed, certified and bonded? Be sure to ask to see their credentials. You may even want to contact their insurance company to ensure that they are fully covered.
3. How long have you been in business?
4. Has your company earned and maintained a Diamond Certified rating?
5. Are you a full-time wood shingle siding installer or do you normally do other types of construction?
6. Are you in good standing with the Better Business Bureau?
7. How soon can you complete the wood shingle siding project?
8. Do you specialize in the type of wood siding that you are going to install on my home?
9. Will there be a crew on the property or will you be working alone?

It's best to choose a Diamond Certified wood shingle siding installer in Marin County, including the larger cities of San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur, and Corte Madera, because all certified companies have passed an in-depth ratings process that most other companies can't pass. If you want quality wood shingle siding company work in Marin County and the greater Bay Area, you can have confidence choosing a Diamond Certified company. Diamond Certified reports are available online for all certified companies. And you'll never be fooled by fake reviews. That's because all research is performed in live telephone interviews of actual customers.

If you can't find a Diamond Certified wood shingle siding installer within reach, you'll have to do some research on your own. If you do, it's wise to call some references provided by your wood shingle siding installer. Keep in mind, though, that references provided to you by the wood shingle siding installer are not equal in value to the large random sample of customers surveyed during the Diamond Certified ratings process. That's because references given to customers from companies are cherry-picked instead of randomly selected from all their customers. So the contractors will likely give you a few customers to call that they know are satisfied.

If you do call references on your own, specifically ask for a list of the company's 10 most recent customers. This will help avoid them giving you the names of only customers they know were satisfied.

• Would you recommend this wood shingle siding installer to your family and friends?
• Did they finish the job on time?
• Did the wood shingle siding installer clean up after completing the job?
• Do you feel like the wood shingle siding installer charged a fair price for the quality of the work?
• Did the wood shingle siding installer seem receptive to your input?
• Did the wood shingle siding installer provide answers to questions to your satisfaction?
• Were you satisfied with the service from the (wood shingle siding installer name)?

• Did the wood shingle siding installer show up on time?
• Were there any unexpected costs? If so, what?
• If you need a wood shingle siding installer in the future, will you consider hiring this general contractor?
• What type of wood shingle siding project did you hire the wood shingle siding installer to complete?

Once the contract is drawn up, it should be signed by both parties: you, the project owner, and the wood shingle siding company. The contract should protect the interests of both you and the contractor. As a result, it should include the following:

• Demo, removal and prep cost and procedures
• Material cost and type of materials used
• Project timeline
• Who is overseeing project/performing work
• A clear, concise, and complete description of the wood shingle siding project, including start and completion dates.
• Warranties should be written and the length of time as well as limitations should be covered. Warranties should cover materials and workmanship, and names and addresses of the warrantor. This may include the contractor, manufacturer, and distributor.
• How changes to siding project and/or disputes are handled
• Company's name, physical address, mailing address and phone.
• Payment structure and schedule
• Detailed description of entire wood shingle siding project
• Any oral promises made.

Take Precautions to Protect Yourself When Hiring a Wood Shingle Installer
Taking precautions will help protect you and your wood shingle siding investment. It will also increase your chances of success. Consider the following guidelines:

• Agree to make payments as the project progresses, contingent upon completion of a determined amount of work. This way, if work on the project is delayed, payment will be delayed as well.
• Do not make final payment until the work completed meets agreed upon specifications and building code requirements.
• Do not sign a contract or any document until you have thoroughly read through it and filled in any blank spaces.
• Do not sign a contract that uses vague terms. Make sure that all terms are specific regarding project requirements and the work that will be performed.
• Don't agree to finance your project through your contractor. Shop around for better loan terms.

Determining a Payment Schedule with a Wood Shingle Siding Company from Marin County
Once you have negotiated a final price for the siding project, you should agree to payment terms. You should either pay a portion of the job at certain stages such as after removal of old siding, once products are delivered, or at the completion of the job, or you should wait until the entire project is completed before making payment.

Let the Work Begin
If you have faithfully followed all of the above steps, you can feel confident that you have hired the best wood shingle siding installer for the job. You have done your research, made comparisons, negotiated for a fair price, and signed a written contract. Now all that is left is for you to sit back and envision how great your home will look once your new siding is professionally installed.

When the wood shingle siding company contract work is completed, your wood shingle siding installer is required to give you a written invoice. This must include:

• The name and physical address of the wood shingle siding installer
• A list of all work performed, including the warranty
• An itemized list of all merchandise purchased or included
• The total wood shingle siding project cost, including the amount charged for labor

Wood shingle siding installers in Marin County provide all types of wood shingle siding projects. Following is a list of the most popular types of wood shingles available.

Redwood shingles
Made out of redwood, these are one of the more popular types of wood shingles. They are smooth sawn and uniform in size and shape. A highly durable wood, redwood shingles are resistant to insect damage.

Treated pine shingles
This type of wood shingle is treated with preservatives to protect it against insects and decay. Treated pine shingles are made from pine which is a popular wood source for shingles.

Engineered wood shingles
These are shingles that are comprised of particles of wood that are bound together with an adhesive. Engineered wood shingles are extremely durable and, unlike true wood shingles, they are not susceptible to rot, curling or decay

Cypress wood shingles
These are shingles that are made from the wood of a cypress tree. Cypress is a soft wood that is less expensive than other woods because it is easily obtained.

Cedar shingle siding
Cedar shingles, also known as "shakes", blend well with wooded landscapes. Usually stained grays, browns, or other earthen colors, cedar shingles are made of natural cedar. Cedar shingle siding offers the natural look of real wood, but it requires less maintenance than wood clapboard. Using stain rather than paint minimizes peeling. Cedar is the highest performing wood for making shakes shingles. Cedar shingles expand so they should be spaced ¼" from their neighbors.

Wood shakes
Wood shakes are split from logs and reshaped by manufacturers for commercial use. By splitting the log, a textured effect is achieved. Wood shakes should be kept away from moisture which means that this type of shingle cannot be installed too close to the ground. Wood shakes also tend to fade from sun exposure, causing unpredictable patterns in the wood shingles.

Wood shingles
Once made by hand, wood shingles were extremely irregular and varied in size and shape. Wood shingles are now uniform in size and shape due to modern manufacturing practices.

Prestained cedar shingles
Prestained cedar shingles are stained at the factory rather than by hand on-site. This eliminates many problems created from staining the cedar shingles on-site such as wet shingles, lap marks, staining mess to clean up, and peeling problems often associated with cedar shingles.

Western red cedar shingles
These are shingles made from western red cedar trees. Due to the texture of the wood, they are uniform in texture and resistant to decay. They also have a naturally sweet odor.

Wood Siding Brands
Many wood siding products are on the market that are high quality and have a good reputation. Below are listed some of the more popular brands.

• Georgia-Pacific Wood Siding
• James Hardie Wood Siding
• LP Wood Siding
• Fraser Wood Siding
• SBC Wood Siding
• Weyerhaeuser Wood Siding
• Woodtone Wood Siding
• Shakertown Cedar Shingle Siding
• Western Wood Products
• LifeSpan Wood Siding

Below are key wood shingle siding terms and descriptions that will help you navigate your way through your wood shingle siding project from beginning to end.

beveled wood siding
This is a wood siding that is commonly used as an exterior covering on a structure or structure's frame. Beveled wood siding is overlapped and applied horizontally with the grain running lengthwise.

Also known as: wood siding, wood siding types, exterior wood siding, types of wood siding, wood siding for house, bevel wood siding, wood siding prices, wood siding products, cedar wood siding, lap wood siding, tongue and groove wood siding, wood lap siding

cedar shake siding
Cedar shake siding is slim, hand cut pieces of wood that give the outside of a home a rustic look. Cedar shake siding is often used for somewhat old-fashioned, traditional homes that are in a woodsy or rural setting. Cedar shake siding is durable and long lasting but can be very expensive.

Also known as: cedar shake vinyl siding, cedar shakes siding, vinyl cedar shake siding, installing cedar shake siding, cedar shake shingles, cedar shake siding panels, cedar shake siding cost, cedar shake siding installation, cedar shake roof, cedar shake, cedar shake siding prices

cedar wood siding
Cedar wood siding is made from cedar tree and is considered superior in quality to vinyl or aluminum siding. Cedar siding is highly durable and resistant to decay from insects or moisture.

Also known as: cedar siding maintenance, cedar log siding, cedar shakes siding, cedar siding prices, faux cedar siding, cedar shingle siding, tongue and groove cedar siding, cedar shake siding, exterior cedar siding, shiplap cedar siding, cedar siding pricing, cedar siding panels, cedar siding installation

cement shingle siding
This type of siding looks like wood but is resistant to rot, fire, and insects. It is made from a mixture of Portland cement, water, wood fiber, and sand, and then shaped into planks that are durable, versatile, and handle paint well.

Also known as: fiber cement shingle siding, cement siding, cement shingles, fiber cement siding shingles, cement siding shingles, cement shingles siding, shingle siding, cedar shingle siding, shake shingle siding, fiber cement shingle, exterior cement board siding, wood shingle siding, fiber cement siding, fiber cement shingles

clapboard wood siding
Clapboards are narrow, thin boards that are applied horizontally as siding.

Also known as: wood clapboard siding, wood siding, wood siding types, wood log siding, wood clapboard siding cost, cedar wood siding, exterior wood siding, wood lap siding, cedar wood siding, exterior wood siding, wood lap siding, engineered wood siding, vertical wood siding, wood siding cost, wood shake siding, log wood siding

composite wood siding
Created from almost any material such as shredded wood, binders, glue, and Portland cement, composite wood siding, also known as manufactured siding, is made to resemble natural wood. It is built to withstand rain, wind, hail and insects. It is also available in a variety of colors.

Also known as: composite wood siding, composite house siding, house siding, siding options, siding materials, engineered wood siding, composite siding for homes, smart siding, composite siding shingles, vinyl siding prices, siding cost, cement composite siding, wood composite siding

cypress wood siding
This is a form of siding that is made out of cypress wood. Cypress is a soft wood that is a more inexpensive wood because it is plentiful in North America.

Also known as: wood siding, cypress wood, cypress siding, cedar wood siding, wood siding types, wood lap siding, wood clapboard siding, cypress wood flooring, wood shingle siding, cypress decking, wood shingles siding, wood siding shingles, hardwood siding

engineered wood siding
Created from almost any material such as shredded wood, binders, glue, and Portland cement, engineered wood siding, also known as manufactured siding, is made to resemble natural wood. It is built to withstand rain, wind, hail and insects. It is also available in a variety of colors.

Also known as: composite wood siding, composite house siding, house siding, siding options, siding materials, engineered wood siding, composite siding for homes, smart siding, composite siding shingles, vinyl siding prices, siding cost, cement composite siding, wood composite siding

exterior wood siding
Exterior wood siding is siding that is made out of wood or wood particles and used for the exterior or your home. Siding is used to shed water and protect a home or building from the effects of weather. Siding increases the appearance, value, and insulation of a building structure.

Also known as: wood siding, exterior wood siding panels, wood exterior siding, wood siding exterior, wood siding types, exterior wood panel siding, exterior wood, cedar wood siding, wood clapboard siding, wood lap siding, engineered wood siding, wood shingle siding, wood shingles siding, wood shake siding

fiber cement siding
This is a siding option that gives the look of wood without the hassles and costs associated with wood siding. It is durable because it is termite-resistant, water-resistant, non-combustible and comes with an extended warranty.

Also known as: fiber cement siding manufacturers, fiber cement siding colors, cement siding, fiber cement siding prices, fiber cement siding installation, fiber cement siding cost, weatherside fiber cement siding

install wood siding
This is a reference to placing wood siding on a structure. Some contractors specialize in installing wood siding rather than installing all types of siding.

Also known as: wood siding, wood siding materials, wood siding types, wood lap siding, wood siding cost, exterior wood siding, wood shingle siding, natural wood siding

masonite shingle siding
This is the primary siding used in tract homes. Known as cardboard, clapboard, or hardboard, masonite siding is made of wood chips that are held together with glue, wax and resin. An inexpensive siding, it is easy to install and resembles real wood without all of the hassle of wood. It is less prone to infect infestations and uses fewer trees during the manufacturing process.

Also known as: masonite siding lawsuit, masonite lap siding, masonite, vinyl siding, wood siding, masoanite siding replacement, concrete siding, hardboard siding, home siding, masonite exterior siding, plywood siding, exterior siding, siding contractors, hardy board siding

replace wood siding
This is a reference to providing a substitute for wood siding that is already on a structure.

Also known as: wood siding types, replacing wood siding, wood siding repair, wood siding cost, engineered wood siding cost, engineered wood siding, wood siding, wood house siding

residential siding
This is an exterior siding used for homes. Residential siding is used to shed water and protect a home from the effects of weather. Residential siding increases the appearance, value, and insulation of a home.

Also known as: siding contractors, house siding options, residential steel siding, residential metal siding, exterior siding, siding installation, residential siding options, siding for houses, siding companies, residential exterior siding, siding replacement, siding calculator

shake siding
This is a home siding made from shakes which are pieces of wood split from a log. Most wood shake siding is made from cedar, but pine, redwood and many other woods can be used as well. Vinyl shake siding is low maintenance and a less costly alternative to wood shake siding. Shake siding has long splits that overlap in a pattern that covers the exterior of the home.

Also known as: cedar shake siding, wood shake siding, vinyl shake siding, siding options, shingle siding, hardi shake siding, cedar shingle siding, vinyl siding prices, board and batten siding, shake shingles siding, cedar shake vinyl siding, lap siding, vinyl shakes

shiplap wood siding
This is a form of wood siding that is installed so that the edge of one board overlaps the one next to it.

Also known as: wood siding, shiplap siding, shiplap wood, types of wood siding, wood siding types, lap siding, wood shingles siding, cedar wood siding, wood shingle siding, wood shiplap siding, old wood siding, wood lap siding, wood clapboard siding, vertical wood siding

siding installation
This is the process of installing siding on the exterior of a structure.

Also known as: vinyl siding installation, metal siding installation, vinyl siding installation cost, steel siding installation, cement siding installation, siding installers, vinyl siding installation instructions, fiber cement siding installation, house siding, siding options, siding materials, siding installation cost

siding repair
This is a reference to repairing damaged siding on the exterior of a building or home.

Also known as: vinyl siding repair, aluminum siding repair, masonite siding repair, home siding repair, siding repair cost, aluminum siding, vinyl siding, exterior siding repair, siding colors, house siding options, steel siding, siding calculator, vinyl siding prices

wood clapboard siding
Wood clapboard siding is made from narrow, thin boards made out of wood that are applied horizontally as siding.

Also known as: clapboard siding, wood clapboard siding cost, wood siding, cedar clapboard siding, wood siding types, exterior wood siding, cedar wood siding, wood lap siding, engineered wood siding, pine clapboard siding, wood shingle siding, clapboard wood siding, wood siding cost, interior wood siding

wood house siding
Wood house siding is manufactured in several different types such as clapboard, singles, lap or shake. Panels are applied horizontally or vertically, and finishes range from paint to stains to sealants. Though wood siding is beautiful, it does require maintenance and can rot.

Also known as: wood siding cost, engineered wood siding, wood lap siding, composite wood siding, wood siding for house, wood siding options, wood siding types, wood shingle siding, wood siding houses, wood house siding, types of wood siding, wood clapboard siding, wood siding panels, wood siding materials

wood lap siding
This is siding made out of boards of wood. Each board laps over the board below it.

Also known as: lap siding, lap wood siding, lap board siding, wood siding types, cedar siding, wood dutch lap siding, cedar lap siding, dutch lap siding, wood look siding, wood siding, wood shake siding, dutch lap wood siding, wooden siding

wood shake shingles
Wood shake shingles are split from logs and reshaped by manufacturers for commercial use. By splitting the log, a textured effect is achieved. Wood shakes should be kept away from moisture which means that this type of shingle cannot be installed too close to the ground. Wood shakes also tend to fade from sun exposure, causing unpredictable patterns in the wood shingles.

Also known as: wood shingle roof, shake shingle roof, wood shake roofs, wood shakes siding, wood shake shingle, cedar shake shingles, wood shakes roofing, wood shake siding, wood shingle roofs, shake shingles

wood shingles
Once made by hand, wood shingles were extremely irregular and varied in size and shape. Wood shingles are now uniform in size and shape due to modern manufacturing practices.

Also known as: wood shake shingles, wood roof shingles, wood roofing shingles, roof shingles, cedar shingles, wood shingle siding, cedar shingle siding, cedar wood shingles, wood shingles roof, shingle siding, cedar shake shingles, wood shingle roofing, red cedar shingles

wood siding
Wood siding is manufactured in several different types such as clapboard, singles, lap or shake. Panels are applied horizontally or vertically, and finishes range from paint to stains to sealants. Though wood siding is beautiful, it does require maintenance and can rot.

Also known as: wood siding cost, engineered wood siding, wood lap siding, composite wood siding, wood siding for house, wood siding options, wood siding types, wood shingle siding, wood siding houses, wood house siding, types of wood siding, wood clapboard siding, wood siding panels, wood siding materials

wood siding repair
This is a reference to repairing siding that is made of wood. If wood siding is properly maintained, it requires very little maintenance and can last for decades.

Also known as: siding repair, wood siding types, vinyl siding repair, replace wood siding, repair wood siding, wood siding cost, aluminum siding repair, cedar siding repair, engineered wood siding, wood lap siding, wood house siding