Whether the siding has reached the end of its life or the home simply needs a fresh look, exterior remodels can enhance curb appeal and improve the durability of your customer’s façade. If your clients are feeling overwhelmed, positioning yourself as a resource can be a big help.
On a recent podcast with Fine Homebuilding(Opens in a new window), recorded during the 2025 International Builders’ Show, a panel of experts sat down with Senior Editor Patrick McCombe to offer perspectives and tips for helping homeowners navigate an exterior remodel. Here are a few of the strategies you should consider.
With all of the information on the internet, many homeowners come to the table armed with lengthy lists of ideas and wants. But they still need your expertise. Make sure you have a deep understanding of available products and how they work together in order to help customers narrow down the options in a way that meets their design dreams while also staying on budget and up to code.
CJ Johnson, director of product and product marketing at Westlake Royal Building Products(Opens in a new window)™, recommends thinking like a doctor: “You’re not just immediately selling but you’re listening to the problems [the homeowner] has and what the objectives are and then creating a solution for that particular individual and home.”
When building or remodeling a home, it’s easy for consumers to focus their budget on the things they can see, such as kitchen counters and appliances. But it’s critical they also invest in the bones of their home—in quality framing and weather protection. Not only does the exterior get remodeled less frequently than the kitchen, it’s what protects everything within.
A beautiful exterior relies on quality, science-based construction techniques underneath. For example, poor wall framing can reveal itself in the form of wavy siding, and insufficient weather-proofing behind the siding can lead to long-term moisture damage.
“Depending on the product that you’re using for your exterior finish, they will or won’t hide inconsistencies with the framing, such as how your walls are lining up with your floors and so on,” said Ryan Smith, a roof cutter with 7 Construction Inc., a custom framing company based in Buffalo, New York, and president and owner of Roof Cutter’s Inc.(Opens in a new window) “There are so many steps before taking the siding out of the box. And it’s one last time to check your wall framing, your substrate. … Have a keen eye and focus on quality.”
“It’s important to recognize that cladding is not water resistant. It prevents much of the water from getting into the wall assembly, but you need to make sure that you’ve got proper flashing and proper underlayment,” added Johnson. “Siding is going to eliminate most of the water, but not all the water. So you really have to be careful with what’s underneath the siding.”
For remodels, this also means using the occasion to learn what is causing a home’s problems and correct them. “We’re constantly telling people to not just replace your siding,” said Emily Mottram, founder and principal of Mottram Architecture(Opens in a new window). “When you take the siding off, this is your opportunity to make improvements that are going to improve the longevity of the [new] siding.”
Beauty and aesthetics are one of—if not the—primary attributes homeowners think about when choosing products for exterior remodels. But maintenance requirements need to be high on the list as well.
“That’s something that comes up for us all the time. ‘How much maintenance is there going to be? How often am I going to have to repaint it? What’s it made out of?’” Mottram said. “As an architect, [I have to figure out] how many different options can I come up with,” to meet those needs as well as styles and aesthetics.
Having conversations in the beginning is important, Mottram added. “When you want to talk about affordability, we also have to look at first cost and long-term cost. … It might cost you a little more now, but if you don’t have to do anything to it for 30 years, that’s what most people want.”
The good news is that there are plenty of siding materials that allow buyers to achieve both the look they love and require little maintenance. As just one example, Celect® Cellular Composite Siding(Opens in a new window) has a fade-resistant Kynar Aquatec® coating, which resists dirt and seasonal staining and also carries a 25-year color protection warranty—so they won’t need to paint it, even in harsh weather conditions—and its cellular PVC substrate resists impact damage and insects.
With so many options to choose from, it’s not uncommon for remodeling budgets to balloon out of control, which can lead to sacrificing important elements behind the walls or choosing a subpar cladding material that won’t last as long.
“We talked about affordability, but what we should also talk about is longevity,” Mottram said. “We try to encourage [clients] to spend money on the thing that’s going to last a long time.”
Mottram said one way she helps clients balance durability needs and style wants while staying on budget is by mixing materials in a thoughtful way. Her firm uses 3D renderings to show how the cladding will look and help guide the homeowner to what they like within their budget.
It’s no secret that homes are getting hammered from increasing wildfires and intensifying hurricanes and storms. The exterior is the home’s defense against these threats, and every element of the home must work as a system to do so.
Depending on your area and climate, help buyers select cladding materials that are resistant to fire, wind or other factors likely to occur there. And be sure to plan beyond just the cladding.
For example, Cedar Renditions® siding(Opens in a new window) is noncombustible, but in wildfire areas is recommended to be installed with gypsum sheathing behind it to create a “1-hour fire-rated assembly.” “You have to think of it as a full system,” explained Johnson, noting that this includes things like ensuring the roof assembly is designed and installed properly, that soffits are installed to prevent embers from entering and that chosen windows do not fail and create an opening for fire.
This is another area where you can help homeowners balance what they want for their remodels with what’s allowable for your area. In Mottram’s area of Maine, heavy snow loads influence what kind of roof her clients can have, so if they desire a lower pitched roof, she lets them know that it will require a more expensive steel frame and helps them determine if that sacrifice is worth it to achieve the end result. Out on the coast, she steers clients toward products that provide the look they want but that can withstand the added wind and wind-driven rain while also accommodating the thick walls required to withstand cold winters.
As you embark on a remodel, whether an exterior facelift, a kitchen overhaul or a whole-house renovation, use your expertise as a resource for your clients. Help them narrow down their options, navigate climate and code challenges, and balance their wants and needs with what their budget allows. The end result is a common goal for both pros and consumers alike: A beautiful home they love—and that lasts.
Want to hear more insights from this panel of pros, including their perspectives on design trends and colors for remodels? Watch the full podcast on Fine Homebuilding’s website(Opens in a new window).
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