If you are someone who regularly reads the fine print on every document, you may already be familiar with the term “Hunter unit,” especially if you recently had siding installed on your Carolina home. It is not uncommon for vinyl siding warranties to mention Hunter units, especially in the subheading that talks about whether or not faded boards are covered. Don’t worry, though, if you have absolutely no idea what a Hunter unit is and you stumbled upon this article purely out of curiosity. As you continue reading, you will see basic information that will help you understand what Hunter units are and how they function.
What is the purpose of a Hunter unit?
To properly answer this question, it is important to start by discussing the vinyl siding and color. Vinyl, as you are probably aware, is a type of plastic. If you’ve ever left any plastic item in the sun for an extended period of time, you’ve undoubtedly noticed some measure of discoloration. Although most vinyl siding board manufacturers do everything they can to diminish the risk of fading, it can still happen over time.
This is particularly true for darker hues, such as saturated red, navy, and deep grey. Many siding warranties guarantee that the original color won’t fade beyond a certain degree, no matter how dark it is. This is why Hunter units exist. These devices are able to gauge precisely how much any piece of siding has faded from its original color, even if the amount is imperceptible to the naked eye.
How much is most siding supposed to fade?
Even though vinyl siding has come a long way since it was first introduced in the 1950s, modern styles still lose color as time passes. There is not, however, an exact standard for how much siding is supposed to fade once it has been installed. As a rule of thumb, most of today’s manufacturers have started guaranteeing that their siding will remain within one Hunter unit for the first five years it is hung and within two Hunter units for two to three years after that.
Additional guarantees depend largely on the manufacturer you selected when you purchased your siding. Some companies, for instance, will cover the replacement of any siding boards that do not remain within four Hunter units of their original hue, provided that the claim falls within the siding’s twenty to twenty-five year warranty period.
What should I do if my siding fades?
If your Carolina home’s vinyl siding has begun fading, the first step is to contact the manufacturer by phone or email. Every brand has different policies, but the odds are good that someone from the company will visit your home to gauge how much your siding has faded and whether or not it is covered under your warranty. Once the process has been started, all you can do is wait and see what the manufacturer has to say.
If you ultimately decide you need new vinyl siding for your home, give the Hatch Homes team a call. We not only install vinyl siding boards but wood and fiber cement as well. No matter what look you’re going for with your remodeling project, we can take the image in your head and bring it to life on your property. We look forward to hearing from you!