Siding and stucco in Cape Coral
Cape Coral exteriors take sun, heat and humidity every day and hurricane wind every few years. Whether a house has stucco over block, fiber cement, vinyl or another siding, the same questions apply.
Design wind
NOAA's engineering weather data for Fort Myers lists a 50-year basic wind speed of 140 mph. Siding comes off at corners, gable ends and the top course first, and soffit panels blown out of place let rain pour into the attic. Ask the contractor for the product's wind rating, the fastener type and spacing they'll use, and how they'll secure soffits and fascia. For stucco, ask how cracks will be repaired and whether loose areas will be cut out and replaced rather than painted over.
Rain that moves sideways
NOAA lists a 100-year rainfall rate of 4.5 inches per hour. Rain driven by wind gets behind siding and into stucco cracks. A water-resistive barrier, flashing at windows and doors, and a path for water to drain out at the base keep that water off the sheathing or block. Ask what barrier and flashing the contractor uses and where water will exit.
Mildew
NOAA counts about 3,353 hours a year at Fort Myers with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F and about 5,545 hours above 67°F. Shaded north walls and walls behind landscaping stay damp and turn green or black. Ask about mildew-resistant paint, keep shrubs trimmed back from the walls, and plan on gentle washing; high-pressure washing forces water into stucco and behind siding.
Sun and heat
NOAA gives a 1% summer design temperature of 93°F, and walls in direct sun run much hotter. Vinyl can warp where a neighbor's windows reflect sun onto it, and dark colors fade. Fiber cement holds up to heat but needs repainting on a schedule. Ask how the product you're considering is rated for heat and color retention, and what the finish warranty covers.
Termites and wood trim
Wood trim, fascia and any wood siding near the ground draw subterranean and drywood termites in a warm, damp climate. Keep soil and mulch several inches below the bottom of the siding, and ask whether the contractor will replace rotted or damaged wood with a composite or PVC trim board that termites and moisture don't affect. If they find termite damage while removing old siding, ask them to stop and show you before covering it.
Openings
Most leaks around siding start at windows, doors, hose bibs, dryer vents and light fixtures. Ask how each penetration will be flashed or sealed, and whether they'll use mounting blocks made for the siding product so fixtures sit flat and shed water.
Licensing
Ask for the contractor's Florida license number and look it up on the state's license search; check that the license type covers the work you're hiring them for.
Comparing bids
Ask for bids with the same scope: removal, sheathing or block repair, barrier, flashing, trim, product, paint, permit and cleanup. Get the manufacturer's warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty in writing.