​There is a lot to choose from when it comes to exterior cladding and as home inspectors, we get to see it all.  One very popular exterior cladding material is vinyl siding.  Why is it such a popular choice? And, are there any negatives to choosing it?  Let’s address these questions:
 
Why is vinyl siding a popular choice?  When installed correctly, vinyl siding offers many positives.  It is very hard-wearing, does not dent easily, it is also rust proof and fade resistant.  These are all very desirable qualities in an exterior siding, especially as it needs to last a long time.
 
Are there any negative aspects to choosing vinyl siding?  It does not provide extra insulation so if you are looking for something that will increase energy efficiency, this wouldn’t be it.  Another potential problem is that in the event of a fire, vinyl siding can emit toxins that are hazardous to health.
 
Like most exterior siding, vinyl siding can be prone to some damage, given certain circumstances.  For example, extremes in weather could affect it.  If the temperature becomes too cold, vinyl siding could become brittle and easy to crack.  If the temperature becomes too hot, it could start to melt, warp or become distorted.
 
So, after this short review on vinyl siding, we can see that it can be a very good choice for your home, although given certain circumstances, it can be prone to damage.

​Leaving your home and environment to go away and relax on vacation is a wonderful prospect, but the risk of an intruder entering your home and stealing your precious items while you are away is not.  While there are many technologically advanced measures you can take to secure your home, we are going to look at some of the simpler ways to hide your smaller valuable items, making them less likely to end up in a burglar’s hands.
 
Think about how an intruder thinks, they will want to enter and exit your home as quickly as possible and so will not spend a lot of time searching through your house.  They usually look in obvious, easy places.  With this in mind, its good to think about areas that are not so obvious or that would take a long time to search through. Here are a few suggestions:
 
Books in a bookshelf.  If you have a reasonable collection of books, take a hollowed-out book and store valuables in that.  An intruder will not necessarily want to go through a whole collection of books on the off chance one contains valuables.
 
Storage boxes in a garage.  Who would think to look through old boxes labelled with items like “old decorations” or “children’s clothing” etc.?
 
Underneath the garbage bag of a trash can.  Looking through your garbage is not even something an intruder will want to do.  Just make sure your items are kept in protective containers.  You could also place them underneath a plant in a plant pot.
 
A floor safe is a much better option than a wall safe.  Burglars have been known to cut a safe right out of the wall, but this is much harder to do with a floor safe.
 
While these are very simple suggestions, they may well help to keep your small valuables safe while you are away.  Remember, though, its always a good idea to have homeowners or renter’s insurance to cover you for those larger items in the home.