Vinyl siding is the most affordable way to re-side a home in Coeur d'Alene, and a good install holds up well in our climate. A poor one does not, and most vinyl problems we see come down to how it was hung.
Vinyl expands and contracts more than any other siding. A 12-foot panel moves a noticeable amount between a January night and an August afternoon, so it has to hang loosely. We nail in the center of the slots and leave the nail head a little proud so the panel can slide, and we leave room at every corner post and J-channel. Nail it tight and it buckles into waves the first hot week.
For North Idaho we recommend a thicker panel. Thin builder-grade vinyl cracks easily in the cold and sags on hot south walls. We also suggest insulated vinyl on homes with little wall insulation, since the foam backing adds some R-value and makes panels stiffer.
Dark colors look great but absorb more heat. We use colors the manufacturer rates for that exposure, which matters on south and west walls that bake in summer.
Vinyl is not fire-resistant, so for homes right against the trees we often suggest fiber cement siding on at least the lower courses. For damaged panels on an existing house, see siding repair.
