Siding Solutions FAQ

Siding rarely fails all at once; it gives you warning signs. Look for:

• Cracking or Chipping: Especially common in older vinyl after a Fargo winter.
• Fading or Discoloration: A sign that the protective UV coating has broken down.
• Bubbling or Blistering: This often indicates moisture is trapped beneath the surface.
• Increased Energy Bills: If your heating\/cooling costs are rising, your siding may no longer be providing an effective thermal bridge.
• Frequent Painting: If you have wood siding and find yourself painting every 3-5 years, it’s likely time to switch to a low-maintenance material like Steel or LP SmartSide.

Absolutely. Think of siding as the "protective shell" of your home. When Apollo Exteriors & Restoration installs new siding, we also install high-quality house wrap and can add rigid foam insulation backing. This creates a "thermal break," preventing heat from escaping through the wall studs in the winter and keeping the humid Red River Valley heat out in the summer.

In the Fargo-Moorhead area, durability is tested by three things: extreme temperature swings, high winds, and hail. Steel Siding is widely considered the "gold standard" for durability because it won’t crack in -30°F weather and is highly impact-resistant. However, James Hardie Fiber Cement and LP SmartSide are also top-tier contenders that offer incredible longevity compared to standard builder-grade vinyl.

Siding replacement consistently ranks as one of the highest Returns on Investment (ROI) for home improvements. According to national remodeling data, homeowners can expect to recoup 75% to 85% of the cost in added home value. In a competitive market like West Fargo or Moorhead, "curb appeal" is often the deciding factor for a quick sale.

We strongly advise against this. To do the job "The Apollo Exteriors & Restoration Way," we perform a full tear-off. Siding over old materials hides potential rot, mold, and pest infestations. By removing the old layer, we can inspect the sheathing, replace any soft wood, and ensure the new house wrap is integrated perfectly with your windows and doors.

House wrap is a breathable membrane installed between your home’s wood frame and the siding. It acts as a secondary weather barrier. It’s designed to keep liquid water out (preventing rot) while allowing moisture vapor to escape from inside the house (preventing mold). We use premium wraps that are specifically rated for the high-wind conditions of the Red River Valley.

This is where our 3D modeling shines. We recommend looking at the "permanent" elements of your home-like the roof color and any stone or brickwork. Generally, lighter colors make a house look larger, while darker, "moody" tones (like deep blues or charcoals) are currently very popular in modern Fargo developments. We can help you visualize these options during your consultation.

• Lap Siding (Horizontal): The classic look found on most homes in Casselton or Dilworth.
• Vertical Siding (Board & Batten): Offers a modern farmhouse or "mountain" aesthetic.
• Shakes\/Shingles: Great for accenting gables or creating a rustic "Lakes Area" feel.

Mixing these profiles (e.g., horizontal on the main body and vertical in the gables) is a great way to add architectural interest.

Most of the materials we install at Apollo Exteriors & Restoration are "low-to-no maintenance." A simple wash with a garden hose once or twice a year to remove dust and pollen is usually all that’s required. We recommend avoiding high-pressure power washers, as the extreme force can sometimes drive water behind the siding panels if not handled expertly.

Yes. A siding job isn’t complete without professional trim work. We specialize in custom-bent aluminum or steel trim (capping) that seals the gaps around your windows and doors, ensuring a color-matched, maintenance-free finish that protects the wood framing from the elements.

Yes. Our assessment process takes 8–10 precise photos of your property to construct an exact digital 3D model of your house. During your consultation, we use this model to swap different material lines, board widths, and colors in real time. This allows you to verify exactly how a visual style looks on your unique home architecture before any installation begins.

We do not bury pre-existing issues under new panels. Once the old materials are removed, we fully inspect the underlying OSB/plywood sheathing for historic water rot, signs of moisture infiltration, and framing instability. If any structural decay or soft spots are found, we repair the wood sub-wall first to create a completely firm, flat anchor layer for your new system.

Traditional "boxed" steel comes in pre-cut 12-foot lengths. On an average home in Fargo, this results in roughly 130 to 150 overlapping seams. These seams are not just an eyesore; they are weak points where wind can catch, moisture can seep in, and insects can nest. Apollo Exteriors & Restoration specializes in Seamless Steel Siding. We bring a specialized machine to your driveway in West Fargo or Moorhead and "roll-form" the steel to the exact length of your house-whether that’s 10 feet or 40 feet. No seams, no splices, and no leaks.

Not if it’s the right steel. We use high-quality, galvanized (zinc-coated) steel finished with advanced PVC or Kynar® coatings. This "galvanized" core creates a chemical barrier that prevents rust even if the surface is exposed to the humid summers of the valley. As long as the steel isn’t deeply gouged to the bare core and left untreated, your siding will remain rust-free for decades.

Steel is significantly more impact-resistant than vinyl or wood. While a major hail storm might shatter vinyl siding into pieces, steel typically holds its integrity. We use a heavy-gauge steel that is designed to withstand "moderate" hail without denting. In extreme "golf ball" hail events, steel may sustain small dings, but unlike other materials, it will still protect your home’s structure from water-entry after the storm passes.

This is a common myth. When properly installed by Apollo Exteriors & Restoration, steel siding is not noisier than any other material. We use a rigid foam insulation backing and secure the panels tightly to your home’s sheathing. This "layers" the exterior, absorbing sound and preventing the "tinny" rattling people often associate with old metal sheds.

This is where steel truly shines. Materials like vinyl and even some engineered woods expand and contract significantly as the temperature changes, which can lead to warping or buckling. Steel has a very low expansion coefficient, meaning it stays straight and true whether it’s a blistering July afternoon in Casselton or a sub-zero January night in Dilworth.

The upfront investment for steel is higher than vinyl, but the Long-Term Value (ROI) is superior. Because steel lasts 40 to 50+ years and requires virtually zero maintenance (no painting, no caulking, no cracking), it often ends up being the cheaper option over the life of the home. Plus, the "seamless" look significantly boosts resale value.

Yes! Modern steel siding technology allows for incredible textures and colors. We offer "HD" wood-grain finishes that mimic the look of stained cedar or rustic logs-perfect for a Lakes Area cabin-without any of the rotting, peeling, or woodpecker damage associated with real wood.

We use specialized tools (like "nibblers" or specific metal-cutting blades) that create a clean cut without burning away the protective galvanized coating. We also use color-matched touch-up paint on any exposed edges during the installation process to ensure the factory-sealed protection remains intact.

Yes. Steel is a non-combustible material. In the event of a nearby fire (like a neighbor’s house or a grass fire), steel siding provides an extra layer of protection that can prevent the fire from jumping to your home’s wooden frame. This often results in lower homeowners’ insurance premiums.

All materials experience some UV exposure, but our steel is finished with Cool Paint Technology™ and high-performance coatings that are specifically designed to reflect infrared light. This keeps the color vibrant for decades and actually helps lower your cooling costs by reflecting solar heat away from your walls.

Unlike materials that become brittle when exposed to the extreme sub-zero “deep freezes” common to our region, heavy-gauge galvanized structural steel maintains its full physical integrity regardless of temperature. It experiences virtually zero thermal movement, meaning it won’t split, buckle, or experience freeze-thaw cracking even during a -30°F North Dakota winter storm.

Traditional boxed steel is delivered in pre-cut 12-foot lengths, which requires overlapping the panels repeatedly along long walls, leaving visible lines where wind and rain can eventually drive in. Our custom-fabricated steel systems are rolled out directly on-site to the precise linear measurements of your exterior walls, providing an ultra-clean, continuous modern line that completely seals out local moisture.

The difference is in the chemistry. Older vinyl was prone to "chalking" and becoming brittle because it lacked modern UV inhibitors and advanced plasticizers. Modern vinyl siding installed by Apollo Exteriors & Restoration is engineered with high-performance PVC compounds and titanium dioxide. This means it stays flexible enough to resist cracking during a sub-zero North Dakota winter and retains its color vibrancy far longer than the builder-grade materials used in the past.

Vinyl is a thermoplastic, meaning it naturally expands and contracts with temperature. Older or lower-quality vinyl becomes extremely rigid and "glass-like" in freezing temperatures. If hit by a snowblower or a stray ice chunk, it shatters. The premium-grade vinyl we use is designed with higher impact resistance, ensuring it can handle the "freeze-thaw" cycles of the Red River Valley without becoming a liability.

While no material is 100% immune to UV rays, modern manufacturing uses color-through technology. This means the color isn’t just "painted" on the surface; it is baked into the entire thickness of the panel. We also utilize advanced UV-resistant coatings that act as a "sunscreen" for your house, significantly reducing the fading that used to be common on the sunny South-facing side of homes in West Fargo and Moorhead.

Insulated vinyl (like the premium lines we install) features a rigid foam backing permanently bonded to the vinyl panel. We highly recommend this for homes in Cass and Clay Counties for three reasons:

1. Energy Efficiency: It adds a continuous layer of insulation over your home’s wooden studs, reducing "thermal bridging" and potentially lowering your heating\/cooling bills by up to 15%.
2. Durability: The foam acts as a shock absorber, making the siding much harder to dent or crack.
3. Aesthetics: The foam backing makes the panels more rigid, resulting in straighter lines and a look that more closely mimics expensive wood siding.

Yes. Today’s vinyl features deep, realistic wood-grain textures embossed directly into the panels. We offer various profiles, including Double 4″ Lap, Dutch Lap, and even Board and Batten (vertical siding) to give your home a high-end, architectural look without the maintenance of real wood.

This is all about the installation. A 12-foot piece of vinyl can expand or contract by half an inch or more as temperatures shift from summer to winter. Owner Blake ensures that our panels are "hung," not nailed tight. By leaving the correct 1\/4″ gap at corner posts and using specialized fastening techniques, we allow the siding to "breathe" and move freely, which prevents the wavy, buckled look often seen with amateur installations.

One of the biggest perks of vinyl is that it’s nearly maintenance-free. You don’t need to paint or stain it. A simple wash with a garden hose and a soft-bristled brush once a year is usually enough to remove dust and pollen. If you have a stubborn North Dakota mud stain, a mixture of mild soap and water will do the trick. Pro Tip: Avoid high-pressure power washers, which can force water behind the panels if used at the wrong angle.

Yes, provided it has a reinforced nail hem. We select vinyl products with double-thick "rolled-over" nail hems that are rated to withstand winds up to 150+ mph. This ensures your siding stays securely fastened to your home even during our toughest prairie windstorms.

Modern vinyl is actually more sustainable than many realize. It requires less energy to manufacture than brick or stone, and because it never needs to be painted or stained, it eliminates the release of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) into the environment over its 30+ year lifespan.

Older generations of vinyl relied on baseline plastics that easily shattered if struck by a stray rock or heavy debris during cold weather. Modern premium vinyl systems utilize advanced impact-resistant polymers and specialized chemical stabilizers engineered to remain resilient, offering an economical, low-maintenance way to upgrade your curb appeal without risking localized winter shattering.

Premium vinyl expands and contracts naturally as temperatures swing from winter lows to 100°F summer highs. Our skilled installation crews deliberately leave a precise fraction-of-an-inch clearance inside the hidden J-channels and utility trim blocks. We drive fasteners squarely into the center of the pre-punched nailing slots without pinning the panel tight, allowing it to glide smoothly on its track without ever buckling or warping.

LP SmartSide is an engineered wood product. Unlike natural cedar which can rot, warp, or attract woodpeckers, LP SmartSide is treated with the proprietary SmartGuard® process. This involves treating wood strands with zinc borate (to resist termites and fungal decay) and advanced resins (to resist moisture). It gives you the authentic warmth and texture of wood with the structural strength of a high-tech composite.

DiamondKote is the industry’s #1 pre-finish for LP SmartSide. Instead of painting your siding on-site in the dusty Fargo wind, DiamondKote is factory-applied and baked-on in a controlled environment.

• The No-Fade Guarantee: It comes with a 30-Year No-Fade Warranty.
• RigidStack™ Technology: It’s 375% stronger than standard lap siding, allowing it to withstand winds up to 200 MPH and hail up to 1.75 inches.
• Maintenance: You will likely never have to paint your house again.

Absolutely. James Hardie is specifically Engineered for Climate®. For our region, we install the HZ5® product line, which is designed to withstand freezing temperatures, extreme seasonal snow\/ice, and the intense UV rays of our summer. Because it is made of fiber cement (a mix of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers), it is incredibly stable and does not expand or contract like other materials.

This is James Hardie’s "superpower." It is non-combustible and has a Class A fire rating. It will not ignite when exposed to a direct flame, nor will it contribute fuel to a fire. Many insurance companies in North Dakota and Minnesota offer premium discounts for homes with fiber cement siding because of this added safety layer.

Vesta is not your average steel siding. It is designed to mimic the sleek, modern look of wood shiplap or longboard, but with the "bulletproof" nature of carbon steel.

• Modern Aesthetic: It features a subtle reveal and long, clean lines that are perfect for modern farmhouse or contemporary designs in Fargo or West Fargo.
• Kynar® Coating: Vesta uses a high-performance Kynar 500® finish, which is the gold standard in the architectural world for resisting chalking, fading, and chemical pollution.
• HD3 Woodgrains: It offers incredibly realistic tri-color woodgrain patterns that look like real Teak, Oak, or Cherry from inches away.

Both are excellent, but they handle impact differently.

• LP SmartSide is more "shock-absorbent" due to its wood-strand core; it is legendary for its ability to bounce back from hail impact.
• James Hardie is a masonry-style product; while extremely tough, it is more rigid. At Apollo Exteriors & Restoration, we assess your specific location (like open-prairie lots in Casselton or Kindred with high wind-blown debris) to help you choose the material that best suits your environment.

Yes. Unlike wood or wood-composites, fiber cement is rot-resistant and holds no appeal for termites or pests. However, the "secret sauce" is the installation. At Apollo Exteriors & Restoration, we follow strict manufacturer guidelines for clearances and flashing to ensure water is always diverted away from the edges of the boards, keeping your home’s "envelope" bone-dry.

These are "name-brand" upgrades that buyers recognize. Seeing James Hardie or LP SmartSide with DiamondKote on a real estate listing in Moorhead or Fargo signals that the home is high-quality and low-maintenance. These materials often yield a higher ROI than almost any other exterior home improvement.

Yes.

• LP SmartSide uses wood sourced from SFI®-certified forests and is considered "carbon negative."
• James Hardie is composed of sustainable raw materials and is known for its extreme longevity, reducing the need for future landfill-clogging replacements.
• Vesta Steel is 100% recyclable at the end of its very long life.

Natural wood siding demands constant, costly upkeep cycles and is highly vulnerable to moisture rot, splitting, and wood-boring insects. Custom specialty materials—such as top-tier engineered wood composites or premium fiber-cement blends—utilize advanced moisture-protection sealants and factory-finished protective coatings to deliver the deep shadow lines and rich texture of natural wood without the threats of structural decay.

It depends entirely on your design budget and goals. Because custom specialty lines require a mid-to-high investment level, they are exceptionally popular as high-contrast accent elements—such as texturing a prominent front gable with deep-textured cedar-look shakes or wrapping an entryway in authentic vertical board-and-batten panels—allowing you to create an upscale architectural look while keeping overall project costs optimized.