Sand-resistant, high-wind siding for Weko Beach and Lake Charter Township homes
WTS II Contracting is a licensed Michigan residential builder specializing in vinyl siding installation throughout Bridgman, utilizing Acrylic Capstock Technology for superior scratch and sand abrasion resistance against Weko Beach dune conditions, with comprehensive expertise navigating permit requirements for both the City of Bridgman and Lake Charter Township jurisdictions. Our experience with Bridgman's extreme coastal environment—including 190+ MPH wind-rated installations with oversized lock systems for upward-driven rain, aluminum coil stock trim that resists lake humidity corrosion, and drainable house wrap systems for heavy precipitation—ensures siding that withstands the unique challenges of Lake Michigan's immediate shoreline.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Permit Jurisdiction | City of Bridgman (Toth St) OR Lake Charter Township (verify on property tax bill) |
| Wind Exposure | Extreme (direct Lake Michigan fetch with gale-force winds) |
| Abrasion Risk | High (airborne silica sand from Weko Beach dunes) |
| Material Recommendation | .046" thickness with acrylic capstock (scratch/sand resistant) |
| Water Barrier | Drainable house wrap required (Tyvek DrainWrap for lakefront properties) |
| Wind Rating | 190+ MPH with rolled or double-thick nailing hem |
| Typical Timeline | 1–2 weeks (includes tear-off, house wrap, aluminum trim fabrication) |
Bridgman's proximity to Weko Beach and Lake Michigan's extensive dune system creates a siding durability challenge unique to coastal properties: wind-driven sand abrasion. During storm systems, northwest winds pick up fine silica sand particles from the dunes and beach, carrying them inland at velocities exceeding 40-50 mph.
When this airborne sand impacts standard vinyl siding, it functions like a sandblaster—gradually abrading the surface and removing the glossy finish that protects the vinyl substrate beneath. Over 3-5 years of exposure, you'll observe:
Standard vinyl siding uses basic PVC formulations with surface coatings that cannot withstand this mechanical abrasion. The protective layer designed to last 25-30 years in typical conditions fails in 5-7 years when exposed to Weko Beach sand.
WTS II Contracting installs premium vinyl with acrylic capstock technology—Mastic Quest or CertainTeed Monogram—featuring hardened outer layers that resist sand abrasion. These systems use:
The upgrade to acrylic capstock adds approximately $2.00-2.50 per square foot over standard vinyl. For a typical Bridgman beach cottage (1,200 sq ft), that's $2,400-3,000 additional investment. But it prevents the premature chalking and replacement that standard vinyl requires after 5-7 years in sand-abrasion conditions.
Bridgman properties face a weather phenomenon that defeats standard siding installations: wind-driven rain traveling horizontally or even upward. During Lake Michigan storm events, gale-force winds (40-60 mph sustained, gusts to 70+ mph) drive precipitation at near-horizontal angles or push it upward along building walls.
Standard vinyl siding relies on gravity-based water shedding—water runs down the face, drains behind panels through weep holes, and exits at the bottom. This system fails when wind pressure forces water upward behind the siding lap joints:
We've opened walls in Bridgman beach homes to discover extensive rot damage—despite the siding appearing intact from outside—caused by this upward water migration during storm events.
WTS II Contracting installs heavy-gauge vinyl with oversized 3/4" lock systems and ensures positive lock engagement at every horizontal joint. The installation process includes:
This attention to wind-driven moisture costs nothing extra in materials but requires skilled installation and quality control that budget contractors skip. The result is the difference between 30+ years of dry walls versus catastrophic rot requiring $15,000-25,000 in structural repairs.
Lake Michigan's immediate shoreline creates elevated humidity and salt-air conditions that accelerate corrosion on metal building components. Standard siding installations use galvanized steel trim coil for fascia, soffit, and window wrapping—adequate for inland properties but vulnerable near the lake.
Galvanized steel features a zinc coating that provides corrosion protection. However, in humid coastal environments with salt spray from wave action, this zinc layer degrades within 5-7 years. Once compromised, the underlying steel rusts rapidly, causing:
WTS II Contracting uses aluminum coil stock for all exterior trim fabrication on Bridgman lakefront properties. Aluminum is chemically inert—it does not rust, corrode, or degrade in salt-air environments. Benefits include:
Aluminum coil stock costs approximately 20-30% more than galvanized steel, adding $300-600 to a typical project. But it eliminates the rust staining and premature failure common with steel trim in Weko Beach area homes.
Bridgman has confusing dual-jurisdiction governance that trips up DIY homeowners and unlicensed contractors regularly. Your property is governed by either the City of Bridgman (Toth Street) or Lake Charter Township—but not both.
The confusion stems from the fact that many addresses use "Bridgman, MI" as the mailing address regardless of actual jurisdiction. Homeowners assume they're in the City limits, pull permits at City Hall on Toth Street, and discover during inspection that they're actually in Township jurisdiction—requiring complete resubmission of paperwork and delaying projects by 2-3 weeks.
How to verify jurisdiction: Check your property tax bill. The taxing authority (City of Bridgman or Lake Charter Township) determines building permit jurisdiction. If you're unsure, WTS II Contracting verifies jurisdiction via tax records before submitting any permit applications, preventing bureaucratic delays and inspection failures.
Additionally, both jurisdictions require building permits for siding replacement and conduct sheathing inspections before allowing walls to be closed. Inspectors verify:
Contractors who avoid permits skip these inspections, leaving moisture management problems hidden behind new siding—problems that surface years later as extensive rot requiring $10,000-20,000 in repairs.
The single most common siding leak we repair in Bridgman occurs where roof planes intersect vertical walls—typically where an addition roof meets the main house wall, or at L-shaped sections where one roof plane terminates against upper-story siding.
The problem: when rain runs down a sloped roof toward a vertical wall, it needs a diverter to channel it away from the wall and into the gutter. Without this diverter (called "kick-out flashing"), water runs behind the siding at the intersection point. In Bridgman's heavy precipitation climate (40+ inches annually, concentrated in spring/fall), this water intrusion causes:
DIY installers and budget contractors frequently omit kick-out flashing because they don't understand building science or they're trying to minimize costs. The flashing itself costs $15-25 per location, but the labor to install it properly (integrating with house wrap, step flashing, and gutter) takes 30-45 minutes per intersection.
WTS II Contracting fabricates and installs custom aluminum kick-out flashing at every roof-to-wall intersection. We bring brake-forming equipment to job sites and create pieces that:
This prevents 95% of the roof-to-wall leaks we see in Bridgman homes—leaks that often go undetected for years until interior damage becomes visible.
Weko Beach area properties face extreme wind loads during Lake Michigan storm systems—sustained winds of 50-60 mph with gusts exceeding 70 mph. Standard builder-grade vinyl siding (.040" thickness) cannot withstand these forces and experiences a catastrophic failure called "zippering."
The failure sequence:
The damage is immediate and severe: exposed sheathing gets saturated with rain, interior insulation becomes soaked, and emergency repairs during storm season cost $5,000-10,000 including interior water damage mitigation.
WTS II Contracting uses heavy-gauge vinyl (.044" to .046" thickness) with reinforced nailing hems rated for 190+ MPH winds. These premium materials feature:
The cost premium for heavy-gauge, wind-rated vinyl is approximately $1.50-2.00 per square foot. For a typical Bridgman beach cottage (1,200 sq ft), that's $1,800-2,400 additional investment—less than one emergency repair after a blow-off failure.
We use contractor-grade materials specifically engineered for Weko Beach sand abrasion and Lake Michigan wind conditions:
Yes. Both Lake Charter Township and the City of Bridgman require building permits for vinyl siding replacement. The permit process includes a sheathing inspection before siding installation—inspectors verify that proper water-resistive barrier (house wrap) is installed, rotted sheathing has been replaced, and flashing is correctly installed around all penetrations. This inspection catches moisture management problems that lead to premature siding failure and expensive structural repairs. Many Bridgman addresses that say "Bridgman, MI" actually fall under Lake Charter Township jurisdiction—pulling permits at City Hall on Toth Street when you're actually in the Township causes project delays. Check your property tax bill to verify jurisdiction, or WTS II Contracting will verify for you before submitting permits.
A heavy-gauge (.046") vinyl panel with acrylic capstock technology and high wind resistance rating is essential for Weko Beach properties. Standard builder-grade vinyl (.040" thickness) cannot withstand wind-driven sand abrasion and extreme wind loads common near Lake Michigan. The sand acts like a sandblaster, removing the glossy finish and causing chalking within 3-5 years. WTS II Contracting installs CertainTeed Monogram or Mastic Quest with ASA acrylic capstock—these materials have Shore D hardness ratings above 85 (versus 70 for standard vinyl), making them highly resistant to scratch damage from airborne sand. Additionally, these systems feature reinforced nailing hems rated for 190+ MPH winds, preventing the "zippering" blow-off failures common with standard vinyl during Lake Michigan storms. The acrylic capstock upgrade adds $2.00-2.50 per square foot but prevents premature replacement and maintains appearance for 25+ years in coastal conditions.
Premium vinyl siding with low-static finishes naturally resists sand adhesion better than standard vinyl. For routine cleaning, use a garden hose with gentle spray (NOT a pressure washer) to rinse sand off monthly during summer months when beach traffic is highest. Never pressure wash sand off siding—the high-pressure water drives sand particles across the surface like sandpaper, creating micro-scratches that dull the finish and accelerate degradation. If sand accumulates in crevices around trim or J-channels, use a soft brush and water to gently remove it. The acrylic capstock materials WTS II Contracting installs are specifically formulated to minimize static charge, reducing sand attraction compared to standard PVC vinyl. Regular gentle rinsing during beach season prevents buildup that becomes difficult to remove and maintains the siding's appearance and protective finish for decades.
WTS II Contracting also serves surrounding communities. Learn about our vinyl siding services in:
Get a detailed estimate from a licensed Michigan residential builder who understands Weko Beach sand abrasion, extreme wind loads, and proper coastal moisture management.
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