Siding in Staunton starts with an address question
The City of Staunton has created five nationally registered Historic Preservation Districts: Gospel Hill, Beverley, The Wharf, Stuart Addition and Newtown. In those five districts, the city's Historic Preservation Commission reviews and approves repairs and modifications under Section 18.85 of the Staunton City Code.
Siding is about as visible as exterior work gets, so before you collect samples or sign anything, find out where your house stands. This page doesn't say what the Commission requires for any project. It lists the questions to answer early, then turns to the wall itself, the materials, and how to compare bids.
Questions to answer before choosing a material
Put these to the city's planning and zoning office, and to every contractor you talk to:
- Is my house inside Gospel Hill, Beverley, The Wharf, Stuart Addition or Newtown?
- If it is, does the Commission's review apply to the siding work I have in mind, whether that is a repair, a partial replacement or a full re-side?
- Does the review cover trim, soffits, porches or window casings that the job would touch?
- What do I need to submit, and how far ahead of the work should I apply?
- Should I wait for an answer before ordering any product?
- Has the contractor worked on houses in these districts before, and how did they handle the review?
Getting answers first can keep you from paying for material that has to be returned or changed. If your house is outside the five districts, you still need to ask which city permits the job needs and who pulls them.
What the housing numbers say
The U.S. Census Bureau's QuickFacts gives a median value of owner-occupied housing units in Staunton of $259,200 for 2020-2024, and an owner-occupied housing unit rate of 60.9% for the same period. The same source estimates the city's population at 26,801 as of July 1, 2025.
Siding protects whatever a house is worth to you, and a low bid that skips flashing or barrier work can lead to repair bills later. The owner-occupancy figure also means that not every house is lived in by its owner. If you own a rental, ask the contractor how they will work around tenants, where ladders and debris will go, and who the tenants should call with questions.
A note on weather
NOAA's engineering weather set has no station near Staunton, so this page quotes no temperatures, wind speeds or rainfall figures. Any wall still has to shed rain, dry out after wet spells and move with the seasons, and the installation details below are what handle that.
Reading an older wall
Many re-siding jobs start with a house that has been covered more than once. Before you settle on a scope, look at the edge of the siding at a corner, under a window sill or behind a downspout, and ask the contractor to do the same.
- Layers. Count them. Each layer added over the last makes it harder to see the original boards and sheathing.
- Soft spots. Push on the lowest course and on sills. Give or crumbling usually points to water held in the wall.
- Stains inside. Water marks on interior walls near windows or outside corners often trace back to missing flashing.
- Painted wood. Old paint may contain lead. Ask how the crew will handle any disturbed paint and cleanup.
Ask each bidder whether they plan to remove old layers or cover them, and to give a unit price for replacing sheathing or framing found to be damaged.
Choosing a material
Once you know whether any review applies, compare materials on what they ask of you over time:
- Wood clapboard or shingles can be repaired board by board and repainted, and need paint or stain on a regular cycle.
- Fiber cement holds paint well and resists rot and insects; it is heavy to handle, and cut ends must be sealed on site.
- Engineered wood is lighter and cuts cleanly, and depends on sealed edges and enough clearance from soil and paving.
- Vinyl needs the least upkeep, but must hang loosely on its fasteners so it can expand and contract.
Ask for the manufacturer's installation instructions for whatever you choose, and ask the contractor to follow them in writing.
Behind the siding
Whatever goes on the outside, the layers underneath decide whether the wall stays dry. Ask every bidder to describe:
- the water-resistive barrier and how its seams are lapped and taped;
- flashing above windows and doors, and kick-out flashing where a roof edge meets a wall;
- clearance at the bottom of the wall;
- sealing around hose bibs, meters, vents and cable entries;
- whether a drainage gap or rainscreen is included, and its cost.
Looking up the business
Look the business up on the license lookup at Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) and confirm the name on the record matches your contract. Ask for proof of liability coverage and workers' compensation.
Lining up the bids
Ask at least two contractors to price an identical list: removal and disposal, the product with its profile and thickness, barrier and flashing, trim, soffit and fascia, a unit price for sheathing repair, permits and any review submittal, cleanup, the schedule, and the product and labor warranties. Lay the bids side by side; a big gap in totals usually traces to a line one bidder left out.