Fade-resistant, wind-rated siding for Paw Paw Lake cottages and rural homes
WTS II Contracting is a licensed Michigan residential builder specializing in vinyl siding installation throughout Coloma, utilizing SolarDefense technology for fade resistance against Paw Paw Lake's double UV exposure, with comprehensive expertise in both City of Coloma and Coloma Charter Township building codes and permit requirements. Our experience with Coloma's unique environment—including 190 MPH wind-rated installations for open rural farmland exposure, drainable house wrap systems for lake cottages, and custom aluminum flashing to prevent the J-channel leaks common in DIY installations—ensures siding that performs reliably despite extreme sun reflection and high winds.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Permit Jurisdiction | City of Coloma (Center St) OR Coloma Charter Township (verify address on tax bill) |
| Wind Exposure | High (open farmland and Paw Paw Lake wind gusts) |
| UV Exposure | Extreme (direct sun + water reflection from Paw Paw Lake) |
| Material Recommendation | .044" thickness or greater with SolarDefense fade protection |
| Insulation Requirement | Fanfold underlayment (3/8" minimum) required for energy code compliance |
| Wind Rating | 190+ MPH with double-thick nailing hem (prevents zippering blow-offs) |
| Typical Timeline | 1–2 weeks (includes tear-off, house wrap, insulation) |
Coloma's proximity to Paw Paw Lake creates a unique challenge that standard vinyl siding cannot withstand: double UV exposure. Homes near the lake receive direct sunlight from above plus reflected sunlight bouncing off the water surface. This reflected UV radiation can increase total UV exposure by 30-50% compared to inland properties.
Standard builder-grade vinyl siding uses basic pigment systems that degrade rapidly under this UV assault. Within 3-5 years, you'll notice:
WTS II Contracting installs premium vinyl with SolarDefense technology—Mastic Quest or CertainTeed Monogram—featuring advanced UV inhibitors and colorfast pigments. These systems use:
The cost premium is approximately $1.50-2.00 per square foot over standard vinyl. For a typical Coloma lake cottage (1,500 sq ft), that's $2,250-3,000 additional investment. But it prevents the complete siding replacement that standard vinyl requires after 5-7 years in high-UV lakefront conditions.
Coloma Charter Township's rural character—open farmland with minimal windbreaks—subjects homes to extreme straight-line winds during storm systems. Unlike densely developed areas where neighboring homes provide wind protection, rural Coloma properties face unobstructed wind gusts exceeding 70 mph during severe weather.
Standard vinyl siding with thin nailing hems (.035"-.040") experiences a failure mode called "zippering" during high winds:
WTS II Contracting uses heavy-gauge vinyl (.044" or thicker) with double-thick nailing hems rated for 190+ MPH winds. The reinforced hem distributes stress across a larger area, preventing the tearing that causes blow-offs. Additionally:
We've repaired dozens of Coloma homes where budget contractors installed standard-gauge siding. Every one experienced panel loss during the first major windstorm—typically causing $3,000-8,000 in emergency repairs and interior water damage.
Many Paw Paw Lake cottages and older Coloma homes were built before modern building science understood the importance of drainage planes. These homes have vinyl siding nailed directly over wood sheathing—no house wrap, no drainage gap, no moisture management.
When rain or snow penetrates the siding (through trim gaps, around penetrations, via wind-driven moisture), water sits against the sheathing indefinitely. The result:
WTS II Contracting strips siding installations down to the sheathing and installs Tyvek DrainWrap or Typar Drainable House Wrap before any new siding goes up. These wraps feature:
This adds 1-2 days to the project timeline and approximately $0.75-1.25 per square foot in material/labor costs. But it prevents the catastrophic rot that requires complete wall reconstruction—which we see regularly in lake cottages that skipped this step.
The most common siding failure we see in Coloma—particularly in DIY installations and work by unlicensed contractors—is rotted window headers caused by improper flashing.
The problem occurs when installers rely solely on J-channel (the trim piece that receives the cut edge of siding) around windows without installing proper flashing above the window. Here's what happens:
WTS II Contracting bends custom aluminum drip cap flashing for every window and door opening. We bring brake-forming equipment to job sites and fabricate pieces that:
This takes extra time and skill—you can't buy pre-made flashing that fits every window perfectly. But it prevents the $2,000-5,000 per window rot repair and window replacement that follows improper installation.
Coloma has the same confusing dual-jurisdiction situation common throughout Berrien County. Your property is governed by either the City of Coloma (Center St) or Coloma Charter Township, depending on your exact address.
The confusion is compounded because both use "Coloma, MI" as the mailing address. Homeowners assume they're in the City, pull permits at City Hall, and get rejected because they're actually in the Township jurisdiction.
Pulling permits from the wrong office causes immediate project delays—sometimes 2-3 weeks while paperwork is resubmitted and processed through the correct jurisdiction. Additionally, siding work often triggers an inspection of the sheathing and house wrap, which must meet code before the inspector will approve closing the wall.
WTS II Contracting verifies jurisdiction via your property tax records before submitting any permits, ensuring your project moves forward without bureaucratic delays.
Drive through older Coloma subdivisions and you'll see homes with wavy, buckled siding—particularly on south and west-facing walls that receive maximum sun exposure. This isn't a material defect; it's installation error.
Vinyl expands and contracts significantly with temperature changes. A 12-foot panel can expand 3/4" between winter cold and summer heat. When installers nail vinyl siding tight against the sheathing (a common mistake by inexperienced contractors), the panels have nowhere to expand during summer heat. The result:
WTS II Contracting "hangs" vinyl siding rather than nailing it tight. We center nails in the nailing slot, drive them until they touch sheathing, then back out 1/32" (roughly the thickness of a dime). This allows panels to slide horizontally as they expand and contract, preventing buckling.
Additionally, we leave proper expansion gaps at corners, J-channels, and trim (1/4" in summer, 3/8" in winter) to accommodate thermal movement. These gaps are invisible but critical for performance.
We use contractor-grade materials specifically selected for Paw Paw Lake UV exposure and rural wind conditions:
Yes. Both the City of Coloma and Coloma Charter Township require building permits for vinyl siding replacement. The permit process typically includes an inspection of the sheathing and house wrap before siding installation to verify proper moisture management and structural integrity. Inspectors want to see drainable house wrap (Tyvek/Typar) installed over sheathing, proper flashing around windows and doors, and any rotted wood replaced before closing the wall. This inspection catches the substrate problems that lead to premature siding failure—which is why reputable contractors welcome it while "chuck in a truck" contractors avoid permits. WTS II Contracting handles all permit applications and coordinates required inspections with the appropriate jurisdiction (City or Township).
Darker colors (navy blue, deep charcoal, rich brown, forest green) are popular for Paw Paw Lake cottages and modern lakefront homes, creating dramatic contrast against water and landscape. However, dark colors require SolarDefense or equivalent UV protection technology to prevent rapid fading from the extreme UV exposure near the lake. Standard vinyl in dark colors will fade to washed-out gray or chalky brown within 3-5 years due to double UV exposure (direct sun + water reflection). WTS II Contracting uses Mastic Quest with SolarDefense or CertainTeed Monogram with advanced UV inhibitors—these systems carry 25-year fade warranties and use infrared-reflective pigments that keep dark colors cooler and more stable. The SolarDefense upgrade adds approximately $1.50-2.00 per square foot but prevents the complete replacement needed when standard dark vinyl fades prematurely. Light and medium colors (whites, tans, grays) fade less dramatically but still benefit from premium materials in high-UV lakefront conditions.
We do not recommend installing vinyl over existing wood siding, and we typically tear off old layers to inspect and prepare properly. Here's why: (1) Hidden rot - Old wood siding in Coloma lake cottages often hides extensive rot, insect damage, or moisture problems that worsen when trapped under new vinyl. (2) No house wrap - Most older homes lack proper moisture barriers. Installing vinyl over wood without adding drainable house wrap creates a moisture trap that accelerates rot. (3) Uneven substrate - Warped, cupped, or buckled wood creates an uneven surface that telegraphs through new vinyl, creating a wavy appearance. (4) Missed opportunity - Stripping to sheathing allows us to add fanfold insulation (required for energy code compliance) and inspect/repair structural issues. (5) Code compliance - Many jurisdictions require tear-off to allow sheathing inspection. WTS II Contracting tears off existing siding, inspects sheathing, replaces rotted sections, installs proper house wrap, adds insulation, and then installs new vinyl—ensuring long-term performance rather than covering up problems.
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 Paw Paw Lake UV exposure, rural wind loads, and proper moisture management for lake cottages.
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