Commercial siding is a building envelope system, not just cladding. Done right, it manages moisture, handles Vermont's thermal extremes, and holds its finish for decades. Done wrong, it traps water behind the panel, rots the sheathing, and fails before the building is paid off.
Forthright installs commercial siding with the moisture management details that determine long-term performance — new building membrane, pan flashing at every penetration, rainscreen drainage where appropriate, and continuous transition flashing at every horizontal break. We work as a siding sub on commercial new construction and exterior renovation projects across Vermont.
Commercial Siding Systems We Install
Fiber Cement Panel & Lap
James Hardie and LP SmartSide commercial panel systems — board-and-batten, lap siding, and large-format panel. Rot-proof, dimensionally stable in Vermont freeze-thaw, and holds paint 10–15 years between maintenance cycles. Standard for commercial and multi-family in Vermont.
Metal Panel Siding
Kynar-coated steel and aluminum panel systems for commercial buildings — concealed fastener and exposed fastener options. 40-year finish warranty, virtually zero maintenance, and available in a wide color library. Appropriate for commercial new construction, mixed-use, and buildings where low maintenance is the priority.
Engineered Wood
LP SmartSide for commercial and mixed-use projects where a wood-look profile is preferred. Treated against rot, insects, and fungal growth. Better moisture resistance than natural wood with similar install economics.
Building Envelope Details
Every commercial siding project includes new house wrap or building membrane, taped seams, window and door pan flashing, and continuous metal transition flashing. On fiber cement and engineered wood, we install a rainscreen drainage plane — standard practice on high-performance envelopes.
Working with GCs on Commercial Exterior Packages
Most of our commercial siding work comes from general contractors who need a reliable siding sub for multi-family residential, retail, hospitality, and light commercial projects. We scope clearly, schedule to the GC's timeline, and don't create surprises in the field.
We're also available for direct work with commercial property owners on exterior renovation — full envelope re-cladding, individual elevation replacement, and building envelope assessments before renovation decisions are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fiber cement panel and lap siding — particularly James Hardie and LP SmartSide — is the most common commercial siding choice in Vermont for buildings under 4 stories. It handles freeze-thaw, holds paint well, and works with a wide range of architectural styles. Metal panel is increasingly common on new commercial construction, particularly hospitality, mixed-use, and contemporary designs, because it's virtually maintenance-free and has a longer warranty. Vinyl is rarely appropriate for commercial use in Vermont — the freeze-thaw cracking risk and institutional appearance are drawbacks at commercial scale.
A rainscreen is a drainage plane — typically a 3/8 to 1/2 inch gap created by drainage mat or vertical furring strips — between the building membrane and the back face of the siding. It lets any moisture that gets behind the cladding drain out at the base rather than wick into the wall assembly. For fiber cement and engineered wood siding in Vermont's climate, we include it as standard. For metal panel systems, the panel geometry typically creates its own drainage plane. For commercial buildings with complex geometry, multiple penetrations, or high exposure, rainscreen detailing is particularly important.
We provide fixed-scope, fixed-price bids for commercial siding projects. The bid covers material, labor, building membrane, flashing, and trim. Variables that affect price: linear feet of window and door perimeter (flashing labor), number and complexity of transitions and penetrations, whether decking or sheathing repairs are needed, and whether scaffolding or lift rental is required. We don't bid per square foot because that number is meaningless without the detail scope behind it. We provide a line-item bid so you can see exactly what you're getting.
Yes — commercial siding warranties are determined on a project-by-project basis depending on scope, product, and conditions. We discuss warranty terms at the proposal stage and include them in the signed contract. The manufacturer warranty on fiber cement and metal panel products is separate and runs with the building — we register all manufacturer warranties at project closeout and provide documentation to the owner or GC.