
Residential Siding Installation by YICN Roofing | Northeast Ohio
YICN Roofing is a locally owned, Ohio-licensed roofing and siding contractor serving homeowners across Cleveland, Parma, Akron, Medina, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.
Your Home’s Siding Matters More Than You Think
I talked to a homeowner in Parma last fall—nice older colonial, well-kept yard—and she showed me this dark streak running along the base of her living room wall. She thought it was a plumbing problem. It wasn’t. Her siding had been cracking for two years, letting moisture sneak behind the panels. By the time we got in there, we had rot in the sheathing and mold starting to creep up toward the framing. What started as a siding job turned into a much bigger conversation. That’s the thing about siding. When it’s doing it’s job you don’t think about it. When it stops doing it’s job, the damage doesn’t show up right away—it hides. And by the time you see it, you’re already dealing with something worse. If you’re searching for siding installation near me, there’s probably a reason. Maybe you noticed warping after last winter. Maybe your energy bills keep creeping up and you don’t know why. Maybe you’re just tired of looking at faded, chalky panels that make your house look older than it is. Whatever brought you here, this guide covers everything you need to know—the materials, the process, what it actually costs in Northeast Ohio, and how to tell a good contractor from one that’s gonna give you headaches down the road.
✔ Free on-site siding inspections by YICN Roofing ✔ Same-day itemized quotes ✔ Every YICN Roofing job photo-documented, start to finish
▶ Get Your Free Siding Estimate Today →
✔ Free on-site siding inspections across Northeast Ohio ✔ Same-day itemized quotes ✔ Every job photo-documented, start to finish
▶ Get Your Free Siding Estimate Today →
Signs You Need New Siding Installation
(Insights from YICN Roofing’s residential siding installers)
Most people wait too long. Not because they don’t care—they just don’t know what to look for. At YICN Roofing, this is what we tell homeowners to actually check.
Cracking, Warping, or Buckling Panels
This one’s pretty obvious once you know to look. Walk around your house on a sunny day and look for panels that are bowed outward, cracked along the edges, or separating at the seams. Any of those things means moisture is getting in somewhere it shouldn’t.
Fading and Peeling Paint
If you’re repainting your siding every five or six years just to keep it looking decent, that’s a red flag. Good siding holds paint. If it isn’t, the material underneath has degraded to the point where no amount of paint is gonna fix it.
Rising Energy Bills You Can’t Explain
Bad siding is basically a hole in your insulation. Air leaks through gaps and around deteriorated panels. We’ve had homeowners in the Cleveland area tell us their gas bill dropped noticeably the first winter after new siding went up. The building envelope matters more than most people think.
Moisture, Mold, or Rot Behind the Panels
This one you won’t always see from outside. If you’ve got soft spots on interior walls near exterior corners, discoloration near window frames, or a musty smell in rooms that back up to an exterior wall—those are all signs that something is wrong on the outside.
You’re Painting It Way Too Often
Repainting every 5–6 years means the material has lost its ability to hold a finish. That’s money you could be putting toward actual replacement, which fixes the problem instead of covering it up.
The Best Siding Materials for Residential Homes
(Material guidance provided by YICN Roofing’s certified siding installers)
This is where most homeowners get lost—and honestly where most contractors don’t slow down enough to explain things properly. The material you pick affects how long your siding lasts, how it holds up in Ohio winters, what it costs upfront, and what your monthly energy bills look like. Here’s a straight breakdown.
Vinyl Siding — The Budget-Friendly Option
Vinyl is the most common siding material in Northeast Ohio, and for good reason. It’s affordable, low maintenance, and when installed correctly by an experienced contractor like YICN Roofing OH, it performs well.
Most vinyl products run between $3 and $8 per square foot installed depending on thickness and profile.
YICN Roofing’s honest take: Vinyl is fine for many homeowners. Cheap vinyl, however, cracks in cold winters and fades faster. We recommend mid-grade or premium vinyl to avoid those issues.
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners, rentals, partial shade homes
Lifespan: 20–40 years
Maintenance: Minimal, occasional wash
Fiber Cement Siding — The Premium Choice
This is what we’d put on our own house—and what YICN Roofing & Siding installers most often recommend for long-term homeowners.
Fiber cement (James Hardie and similar products) doesn’t rot, warp, or burn, and it holds paint exceptionally well. In Northeast Ohio’s freeze-thaw climate, it outperforms nearly every other material.
Installed cost: $8–$14 per sq ft
Lifespan: 30–50 years
Fire resistant, moisture resistant, excellent paint retention
Requires certified, experienced installers like YICN Roofing
Engineered Wood Siding
A strong middle-ground option. It offers better curb appeal than vinyl with fewer vulnerabilities than natural wood.
YICN Roofing recommends engineered wood for homeowners who want a wood look without fiber cement pricing.
Lifespan: 20–35 years
Mid-range cost
Must be properly installed and kept away from ground moisture
Steel and Aluminum Siding
Less common residentially, but excellent in high-wind or hail-prone areas.
YICN Roofing installs metal siding selectively when durability is the top priority.
Lifespan: 40+ years
Very durable, weather-resistant
Higher cost, limited styles
Siding Material Comparison Table
Material | Avg. Cost/sq ft | Lifespan | NE Ohio Rated? | Best For |
Vinyl (mid-grade) | $3–$8 | 20–40 yrs | Yes (mid+ grade) | Budget installs, rentals |
Fiber Cement | $8–$14 | 30–50 yrs | Yes — top pick | Longevity, low repainting |
Engineered Wood | $5–$10 | 20–35 yrs | Yes (with treatment) | Wood look, mid budget |
Steel / Aluminum | $7–$14 | 40+ yrs | Excellent | High wind, hail areas |
Our Residential Siding Installation Process — Step by Step
Most homeowners have never watched a siding job happen from start to finish. That’s fine—it’s not your job. But knowing what the process looks like helps you recognize when a contractor is skipping steps they shouldn’t. Here’s exactly how we do it at YICN Roofing:
Step 1 — Free On-Site Inspection and Estimate
We come out, look at your existing siding, check for any substrate or moisture damage underneath, and give you a straight assessment. You walk away with an itemized written proposal. The inspection usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 2 — Material Selection and Project Scoping
We go through material samples with you, talk through color options, confirm the scope of work, and lock in a timeline. No pressure, no rush—you should feel good about what you’re putting on your house.
Step 3 — Removal of Old Siding and Substrate Inspection
Old siding comes off first. Every time. We don’t install over existing material. Once it’s off, we inspect the sheathing underneath for rot, moisture damage, or soft spots. If we find problems, we tell you before we do anything else—not after.
One job in Canton last spring, we pulled the old vinyl off a 1970s ranch and found three sections of sheathing that were essentially mush. The homeowner had no idea. If we’d installed over the top like some crews do, those panels would’ve been failing inside of five years. We fixed it right.
Step 4 — Weather Barrier and Moisture Wrap
This step is non-negotiable, and a lot of budget contractors skip it or use cheap products. A proper weather-resistive barrier goes between the sheathing and the siding. It’s what keeps water from getting into your wall assembly even when siding gets damaged. It’s also required by most Ohio building codes and by manufacturer warranties on fiber cement products.
Step 5 — Precision Panel Installation
Panels go up with proper spacing, correct fastener placement, and clean trim and corner work. Gaps at corners or around windows aren’t just ugly—they’re where moisture gets in. We use chalk lines and levels. The finished job should look like whoever did it actually cared.
Step 6 — Photo-Documented QA Check and Final Walkthrough
Before we call it done, we do a full quality check and photograph everything—including what’s behind the siding. You get a final report with before-and-after photos and your warranty documentation. Most homeowners tell us they’ve never gotten a final report from a contractor before. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to.
How to Choose the Best Siding Contractors Near You
Finding a good siding contractor isn’t that hard if you know what to ask. Here’s what to check before signing anything:
Licensing, Insurance, and Manufacturer Certifications
Ask to see their Ohio contractor’s license. Ask for a certificate of insurance—not just “we’re insured,” but the actual document. If they’re a James Hardie or LP certified installer, that matters too because it often affects your manufacturer warranty.
Ohio contractor license — verifiable at state.oh.us
General liability and workers’ comp
Manufacturer certifications for the products they install
Portfolio and References
Ask to see recent jobs. Most reputable siding installers in Northeast Ohio can show local work or point you to Google reviews. If they can’t show nearby projects, that’s a red flag.
Warranty Coverage — Materials vs. Labor
Every siding project has two warranties: the manufacturer’s warranty on materials and the contractor’s workmanship warranty. Installers who aren’t certified may void the product warranty entirely. Ask about both.
Transparent Pricing and Written Proposals
If a contractor gives you a verbal quote, won’t put it in writing, or shows up with a different number once work starts—walk away. Everything should be documented: materials, labor, disposal, permits, and timeline.
Red flags include vague bids, no written scope, same-day pressure tactics, and contractors who “don’t do permits.”
Local vs. National — Why Local Siding Companies Win
National franchises can be fine. But local contractors understand Ohio codes, regional weather performance, and local permit processes. If something comes up later, you’re dealing with a local office—not a call center.
Siding Installation Costs in Northeast Ohio — What to Actually Expect
(Real-world pricing based on YICN Roofing projects in Cleveland, Parma, and Akron)
Siding Type | Material Cost | Installed (avg) | Lifespan |
Vinyl (mid-grade) | $1.50–$3 / sq ft | $5–$9 / sq ft | 20–40 yrs |
Fiber Cement | $3–$6 / sq ft | $10–$18 / sq ft | 30–50 yrs |
Engineered Wood | $2–$5 / sq ft | $7–$12 / sq ft | 20–35 yrs |
Steel / Aluminum | $4–$7 / sq ft | $10–$17 / sq ft | 40+ yrs |
What Drives the Final Cost:
Exterior square footage
Material choice (vinyl vs. fiber cement can be a 2× difference)
Tear-off complexity and number of layers
Substrate repairs (rot or mold)
Trim, window wrapping, and corner detailing
Local permit fees
For a typical 1,500 sq ft colonial in the Cleveland or Parma area, a full vinyl re-side usually runs $9,000–$16,000. Fiber cement typically falls between $15,000–$25,000, depending on profile and complexity.
Cheapest bid warning: We’ve re-done siding jobs completed by low-bid contractors in as little as three years. The homeowner paid twice. Always compare scope—not just price.
Residential Siding Installation in Northeast Ohio
Northeast Ohio Climate and Your Siding Choice
Freeze–thaw cycles are the most damaging factor for siding in this region. Moisture enters small cracks, freezes, expands, and worsens damage year after year.
Mid-grade or better vinyl performs reasonably well. Cheap vinyl becomes brittle and cracks in cold weather—something commonly seen in Parma and Cleveland Heights. Fiber cement handles freeze–thaw best. Steel also performs exceptionally well.
Summer humidity, especially near Lake Erie, adds another layer of stress—making proper weather barrier installation critical.
Local Code Compliance and Permit Requirements
Most Northeast Ohio municipalities require permits for siding replacement. A permit ensures the work meets code, protects resale value, and matters for insurance coverage.
We pull permits on every job.
Areas We Serve in Northeast Ohio
We serve residential siding customers across a 30-mile radius from our Bedford Heights base.
Vinyl Siding vs. Fiber Cement Siding — A Northeast Ohio Homeowner’s Guide
This is the most common question I get from homeowners doing their research. And the honest answer is: it depends on what you’re optimizing for. Let me break it down the way I’d explain it to a neighbor.
Factor | Vinyl (mid-grade) | Fiber Cement |
Upfront Cost | Lower ($5–$9/sq ft installed) | Higher ($10–$18/sq ft installed) |
30-Year Total Cost | Can be similar after repainting | Lower due to paint retention |
Freeze-Thaw Performance | Good (mid+ grade) | Excellent |
Resale Value Impact | Moderate | Higher, especially in older homes |
Maintenance | Minimal, occasional wash | Repaint every 10–15 years |
Fire Resistance | Low | Class 1A (excellent) |
HOA Acceptance | Usually yes | Always yes (often preferred) |
Our honest recommendation: If you plan to stay in your home 15+ years, fiber cement is usually the smarter investment in Northeast Ohio. If budget or short-term ownership is the priority, mid-grade vinyl is a solid choice—just avoid the cheapest options.
Why Northeast Ohio Homeowners Choose YICN Roofing for Siding
We’re not the biggest company in the market. We don’t have billboards on I-480. What we do have is a track record of showing up, doing the work right, and being reachable when you have a question after the job is done.
What you get when you work with us:
• Licensed and insured in Ohio — documentation available on request
• Manufacturer certifications for the products we install
• Photo documentation from tear-off to final QA
• Itemized proposals — no vague estimates, no post-job surprises
• Permits pulled on every job, no exceptions
• Workmanship warranty on our labor, manufacturer warranty on materials
• Real reviews from real homeowners in your area
A homeowner in Solon reached out after getting three quotes. She said ours was the only one that came with a written scope and an explanation of every line item. She said it was the first time she felt like she actually understood what she was paying for. That’s the standard we try to hold on every estimate.
About the Author: Kevin Stone , chairman and founder of YICN Roofing (Your Insurance Claims Network), Northeast Ohio's premier storm damage roofing contractor serving homeowners throughout Bedford Heights and the surrounding 30-mile radius. Operating from the company's headquarters at 5420 Mardale Ave, Bedford Heights, OH 44146, Kevin has transformed YICN Roofing into a top-rated roofing company with an A+ Better Business Bureau score and over 100 satisfied customers who trust his expertise for their most critical roofing needs. Since establishing YICN Roofing, Kevin has built a reputation that extends far beyond traditional roofing services. His comprehensive understanding of the insurance claims process, combined with decades of hands-on roofing expertise, has positioned YICN Roofing as the go-to contractor for Northeast Ohio homeowners facing storm damage, emergency repairs, and comprehensive roof restoration projects. Available 24 hours a day at (216) 999-4342, Kevin ensures that no homeowner in Bedford Heights, Cleveland, Akron, or surrounding communities is left vulnerable to the elements when roofing emergencies strike. Northeast Ohio Roofing Expertise and Regional Understanding Kevin's deep expertise in Northeast Ohio roofing stems from his intimate understanding of the region's unique weather challenges and architectural requirements. The Greater Cleveland area, including Bedford Heights and surrounding communities, faces some of the most demanding weather conditions in the Midwest. Lake-effect snow systems regularly dump heavy loads on residential roofing systems, while spring and summer storms bring devastating wind and hail damage that can compromise even the most well-maintained roofs. Throughout his career, Kevin has personally overseen thousands of roofing projects across Northeast Ohio, from emergency tarping services during severe storms to complete roof replacements for homes damaged by hail, wind, and ice. His experience spans residential neighborhoods in Bedford Heights, where older homes require specialized attention to maintain their architectural integrity, to newer developments in surrounding communities that benefit from modern roofing materials and installation techniques.
