Sacramento's Premier Home Remodeling Company
Homeowners in the Sacramento area may consider installing new siding for numerous reasons. If the paint is failing, if the exterior wood or trim is deteriorating, or if they simply want to improve curb appeal. Many homeowners also opt to cover their stucco exterior with siding to improve the appearance. But, there’s more to consider with siding than appearance alone.
Professionally installed siding will help protect your home from the elements, keep the exterior and interior walls intact, and may even change the perception of your home. While everyone sees the finished siding project, the bulk of the work is in the preparation and planning.
The longevity of a siding installation is dependent on the quality of the structural wall support underneath. Replacing siding can be more complicated than removing the old material and installing the new siding. There are many conditions that will need to be dealt with if they are discovered during a tear-off of the old siding.
Conditions such as damaged plywood, window frame dry rot, deteriorated trim, improper flashing, and missing house wrap are all issues which must be addressed to install the new siding correctly. There are no shortcuts with installing new siding, and inadequate structural support can cause more problems if they are not fixed.
Another major concern is the climate and weather conditions in Sacramento, and whether your home is at risk of wildfire. Believe it or not, the choice of siding can have a major impact on your home!
Sacramento has short wet winters, and hot dry summers where temperatures have typically reached 105°F to 115°F over the last ten years, according to data by WeatherSpark. While some areas of the region have adequate shade and tree cover, such as Downtown, Midtown, Land Park, and parts of East Sacramento and Carmichael, many areas in Sacramento have very little shade and take the brunt of scorching heat in the long summer months. Some areas in Rancho Cordova, Mather, and El Dorado Hills offer little tree cover to diffuse the heat.
This is important as dark vinyl siding will absorb UV rays and the heat from sunlight and can reach temperatures of 165°F to 175°F . In addition to warping and bowing the siding to accelerate failure rate, it poses a very real fire threat, particularly in the eastern low foothills such as in Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Fair Oaks, and Orangevale.
The State of California and CAL FIRE regularly update their Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), with three different designations: Moderate, High, and Very High. Homes in elevated areas with plenty of dry brush may be at risk, and much thought and foresight must be put into selecting a material and color of siding that will minimize risk. You should always choose a light color siding material if your home is in an area with high fire risk, especially if you are using vinyl siding.
You can look up your property address on the CAL FIRE website to find the severity of fire risk to your home.
The three main types of siding used in Sacramento are vinyl siding, composite siding, and fiber cement siding. Each of these has their strengths and weaknesses.
| Siding Material | Best For |
| Vinyl | Affordable option, use light colors to deflect solar heat |
| Composite | Mid-range option for homeowners who want darker colors. Resistant to impact damage and fading. Lower installation costs than fiber cement. |
| Fiber Cement | For homes in fire risk zones, homeowners who want combustibility resistance and higher home resale value |
Many homeowners choose to install new siding to replace wood siding that has worn out, faded, started to rot, or simply doesn’t look good anymore. Wood tends to warp and pull away from the wall after years of exposure to rain, heat, and the elements. Other homeowners want to upgrade their exterior from a simple stucco to a more sophisticated siding solution. Siding can provide a much better appearance and better wall protection than stucco or wood.
These are the most common siding materials selected by Sacramento area homeowners.
Vinyl siding has been around since the 1950s, produced as a less expensive siding than cedar or redwood. Though it is quick to install, and the least expensive option, vinyl siding tends to warp and bow after 15 to 20 years. One upside is vinyl comes in many different colors. Maintenance is relatively easy, it can be pressure washed rather quickly
Most manufacturers will void the warranty if vinyl siding is painted, so select a color that is closest to your preferred choice. One downside to vinyl siding can allow moisture through if the siding is not properly installed over the underlayment. For many homes lower in the Sacramento Valley, vinyl siding is an adequate choice.
Most composite siding is manufactured using a glass-reinforced polymer with graphite-infused polystyrene. One advantage of composite siding is it will not absorb moisture, and therefore it will not rot, warp, or swell from water absorption. This siding is not recommended for high risk fire zones. While it is resistant to flame spread and smoke development, it is not rated as non-combustible. Composite is a satisfactory choice for homeowners that want to use dark colors on their exterior, so long as their home is not in a fire risk zone.
Composite is a good choice for homes outside the high risk fire zones (Very High FHSZ) and is less expensive than fiber cement, and more durable than vinyl siding.
Replacing wood siding with fiber cement siding can provide a clean, durable, fire-resistant exterior that will last for years to come. The preparation for fiber cement siding takes a little longer, but the exterior will offer good protection for your home while delivering a stellar appearance.
The contractor will remove the current siding (if applicable) and check for any damage or rot with the plywood, flashing, house wrapping, trim, and framing. Any repairs to the structural support must be done before installing fiber cement siding.
Fiber cement is the only acceptable choice for homes in the high risk fire zones of the foothills, but also looks good on homes at a lower elevation. Fiber cement is the most durable siding material, but also takes the most preparation time.
Sacramento requires a permit for residential siding installation or replacement if more than 50% of the exterior surface is being replaced, if the structural sheathing must be repaired, or energy efficiency standards for residential home alteration under California Title 24, Part 6 (the California Energy Code) are triggered. Most siding projects will require a permit under the 50% exterior replacement rule.
Permits for a residential home in Sacramento will take approximately 7 business days to obtain, about 14 days if your home is in a high risk fire zone. Permits typically cost about $500-1000 and must be pulled by your contractor.
There are a few non-negotiables you must know before hiring any siding contractor in the Sacramento area.
The Contractor State Licensing Board is a resource where you can look up any contractor’s license status by name, license number, or business name.
What you are looking for is: Do they have a current contractor license or is it lapsed? Do they have general liability insurance? Do they have either an active B (General Building) or C-5 (Framing and Rough Carpentry) license?
They need all three to be able to install siding on your home in California. A contractor with a lapsed license or no license has no warranty or accountability under contractor law in the state of California.
The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code was updated in January 2026, and if they are not up to date on this, it can affect all aspects of your project, including permits, siding material specs, and installation.
You can look up the Fire Severity of your property here: Fire Hazard Search on Cal Fire website .
Siding requires a permit, and depending on where your home is located, it may involve extra steps to comply with fire hazard zoning.
Sheathing is the outer layer of paneling on an exterior wall, providing structural support for the outer exterior of the home, which includes siding. Damaged sheathing must be replaced to ensure that siding is properly installed so as not to cause damage to the home. Find out how the contractor will price this if sheathing damage is discovered.
It’s important to find out if the construction team will be a subcontracted team or direct employees of the general contractor. Find out who is responsible for the work. A trustworthy contractor will be able to answer any questions you may have about siding replacement.
If you’re looking for a reliable, five-star contractor to help replace or install siding on your home, contact the team at JC Construction & Remodeling. Before we recommend siding material for your home, we will look at the fire zone of your home, analyze your property, and give you a recommendation based on your specific needs. When we schedule an in-home consultation, we will give you an estimate in writing.
We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in the Central Valley with home improvements such as room additions, ADU building, kitchen remodeling, and home remodeling. We can help you select the right type of siding for your home, install it, or replace it, making your home more attractive than ever! To schedule a free consultation, contact the construction team at JC Construction & Remodeling today!
JC Construction & Remodeling is more than just a construction company; we are your dedicated partners in transforming your vision into reality. With over a decade of industry experience, our locally owned and operated business has honed its craft, delivering exceptional home improvement solutions to our valued clients. Integrity and honesty are the cornerstones of our approach, guiding every interaction and decision we make. We understand that each project is unique.
Whether you’re looking to renovate your entire home or simply need a few repairs, our team is equipped with the expertise and resources to exceed your expectations. At JC Construction & Remodeling, quality is not just a goal; it’s a standard we uphold in every aspect of our work. Specializing in general home improvement and remodeling, we take immense pride in the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines our projects.
