For durability and appearance, what's the best siding?

Conman: We offer James Hardie HardiePlank siding, which has a 50-year warranty and is resistant to fire, termites, hail damage and moisture.

Lee Fuller: For durability and overall appearance, fiber cement products are the best. We offer products from CertainTeed, Nichiha and James Hardie.

David Damon: James Hardie fiber cement siding has emerged as the leading player. It has an almost lifetime warranty, it holds paint well and it comes with a factory painted option.

What's the average cost?

Conman:HardiePlank can run from $3.99 to $4.75 a square foot, and most homes' exterior surfaces range from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet.

Lee Fuller: It's generally $450 to $575 a square, which is a 10-by-10-foot area, and most homes take 20 to 35 squares of material.

David Damon: For an average home with 2,800 square feet of exterior wall surface area, the most common price is about $12,000 to $14,000.

How long does it typically take to install siding?

Conman: Most homes can be completely finished, weather permitting, in seven to 10 days.

Lee Fuller: A week to 10 days.

David Damon: It usually takes a week to 10 days.

What potential problems does siding work typically uncover?

Conman: In some cases, we do see mildew situations where moisture has been retained and very seldomly, we'll see rotted studs and rebuild them.

Lee Fuller: Chimneys especially tend to leak and start to cause water damage you can't see. Termites might be an issue, but that's pretty rare.

David Damon: Routinely, there's a very manageable amount of wood rot that can be taken care of for less than $500.

What other exterior components should a homeowner replace at the same time?

Conman: We also offer HardiePlank soffits, fascia and trim work, and if you replace windows at the same time, they'll be more airtight.

Lee Fuller: I recommend homeowners change their light fixtures and fix simple things such as replacing window trim or rotted columns or posts.

David Damon: There could be some synergy to doing both roofing or windows and siding work at the same time.

How do I maintain the new siding?

Conman: A mild pressure wash once every seven to eight years will help keep it clean.

Lee Fuller: They can spray it down with a hose a couple times a year to keep the pollution from settling on it.

David Damon: Wash it and inspect it every one to three years.