Rhino Shield of Chicagoland Cost Analytics 

Every homeowner has distinct needs and budgets, and in almost every case our solution ends up being more economical long-term than the alternative traditional exterior paint. 

The exterior of your home likely needs to be repainted every 5-7 years depending upon the type of siding you have. If you have Masonite/LP siding it needs to be repainted every 3 years to avoid problems. And so the challenge most homeowners have is going thru the seemingly endless cycle of paint, crack, peel, repaint, crack, peel and repaint. This wastes your time and money, is bad for the environment and is exactly the problem that Rhino Shield was developed to address once and for all.

Yes it costs less to paint your home one-time than to install our Rhino Shield coating. However, over time Rhino Shield is far more cost effective AND your house looks great forever, not just the first year.

All our crews are qualified and prepared to do virtually any type of exterior repair which saves you from tracking down a handyman or remodeler to effect repairs before your house can be re-coated. One thing to remember is that we’re an exterior service firm, so we also can apply a protective coating to your pergolas, fences, and decks.

We Work Within Your Budget

While there is no doubt that applying Rhino Shield to all exterior surfaces is preferable, there are times when a customer’s budget dictates that we use a cheaper conventional paint on areas such as railings, carports, and porch ceilings. We prefer to use Rhino Shield, but we also understand that you might have a limited budget and we totally respect that and will do everything possible to deliver the best possible job for an investment you can afford.

Vinyl Siding Drawbacks

Vinyl has gained momentum all over the world and is now the most used siding material in America. Install vinyl siding, they say, and you will never need to paint your home again. Unlike cedar or wood, this long-lasting plastic won’t rot or flake. However, what are the drawbacks that you aren’t told about by the vinyl siding sales folks?

1. Health Concerns
Vinyl is made of a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic resin, a substance suspected to cause cancer (see ‘External Aspects’ section in Vinyl Siding in Wikipedia). Although vinyl could be safe while it’s on your property, some scientists believe that producing and disposing vinyl is dangerous to the surroundings and also to our health. Accidental fires in vinyl-sided buildings tend to be less safe because vinyl creates noxious fumes when heated. Moreover, physicians are reporting a higher prevalence of kidney and liver failure, respiratory problems, neurological damage, birth defects, and cancer among those who live near factories where vinyl is made or work in them.

For more information regarding how vinyl siding affects the surroundings as well as our well-being, see the award winning documentary film Blue Vinyl, available on DVD. Or, read exactly what the environmental group Greenpeacehas to say about vinyl. For an opposing point of view, see the arguments developed by the Vinyl Institute.

2. Longevity
In extreme weather like Chicago’s, vinyl siding is not as durable as masonry and wood. Violent wind can get underneath the thin sheets of vinyl siding and literally peel it off a home. Powerful hail and windblown debris can puncture vinyl. Damaged panels cannot be repaired and color matching sun faded vinyl panels is impossible leaving your home a neighborhood eye sore if damage ever does occur.

You may have heard of liquid vinyl coatings, which are sprayed on like paint. If applied correctly under optimal conditions these may prove to be more durable than vinyl panels. However, liquid vinyl coatings are notoriously difficult to apply correctly. Numerous problems have been reported. (See “Miracle Liquid Siding Products” on Ask the Builder.)

3. Care
Unlike wood and masonry, vinyl siding presents its own unique strain of maintenance headaches. Moisture trapped beneath the vinyl siding accelerates rot, promotes mold and mildew, and creates the perfect conditions for insect infestations. Roof leaks, faulty gutters, or other sources of moisture should be repaired without delay. Vinyl siding may not be a wise option for an older home with a chronically damp cellar.

4. Energy Conservation
Vinyl siding does not insulate your home’s exterior as well as wood, so it will not significantly lower your utility bill even when combined with an underlayment of insulating foam. The design of the vinyl panel itself won’t permit a uniform fit of the foam insulating underlayment.

5. Historic Preservation
Let’s face it. Vinyl siding will never be confused with wood. However closely the most premium vinyl is purported to resemble wood, any man-made siding will reduce the historical authenticity of an old house. Most of the time, the original trim and ornamental aspects are covered or removed by the siding company because it is simply too difficult or impossible to match the fine features of an older historic home with vinyl. In some cases, the original clapboard is severely damaged or entirely removed in the process of applying the vinyl siding, completely destroying the historical relevance of the home.

6. Property Values
For new home construction in America, vinyl has become more and more common. However, overall vinyl will always have a cheap “plastic” look that just can’t match the appearance of real clapboard siding.

Homes built before 1940 lose their historic appeal when their original siding is plastered over with vinyl siding. Before you succumb to the sales pitch of the vinyl salesperson take a close look at other homes in your neighborhood. In a neighborhood of historic homes or upscale houses constructed primarily of wood and masonry, adding vinyl siding can diminish a home’s appeal to potential buyers.