Case Study: Lewes, DE

Known as “The First Town in the First State,” Lewes, Delaware, is one of the oldest towns in the United States. It is a small, picturesque community with a rich history that offers a blend of charm and beachside beauty. However, with beachside living comes the inevitable strain on building materials due to salty air, high humidity, and strong winds. These factors can take a toll on homes, particularly on the siding, which is the main exterior component that bears the brunt of harsh environmental elements.

Timeless Beach Charm Meets Lasting
Durability with Everlast Siding

This was the case for the Stone family, who spent years living in a home built in 2005 with fiber cement siding in Bethany Beach, a town nearby. The fiber cement exterior was experiencing moisture issues, which led to costly maintenance and a recurring need for repairs.

When the Stone family moved to Lewes in 2024 to build their forever home, a durable exterior with minimal maintenance was a must-have.

“When we moved from Bethany Beach to Lewes, we said, ‘If we can see water, we are too close.’ Even though our new home is not bayfront, we know that salty air can impact homes that are miles inland. We needed a low-maintenance, durable, long-lasting siding material that we would never have to paint or replace,” said Bob Stone, the homeowner.

After ruling out various siding options, the Stones selected Everlast Lap Siding in Seaside Grey and Everlast Board & Batten Siding in Natural White for a classic beachy aesthetic.

After selecting Everlast siding for their new home, the Stones faced a significant hurdle in getting it approved by the local architectural review committee. Although Everlast siding was similar to approved materials such as the cedar and composite shakes used on nearby homes, the board initially viewed Everlast siding as a “modified vinyl product” and denied its use. The Stones persisted, presenting their case and highlighting the siding’s durability and aesthetic attributes. They also arranged for the committee to visit other homes in the region that were clad in Everlast siding. After a three-month period and thorough evaluation, the board was convinced by Everlast siding’s wood-like appearance, thickness, and performance attributes, the Stones received the necessary approval.

“We wanted our home to have a country farmhouse look to it and for the exterior to possess an authentic wood look,” said Stone. “This is our forever home, so any material that we’d have to paint or replace it down the road was simply not an option. Everlast siding was a product that gave us the authentic appearance we desired without compromising on performance.”

When compared to traditional wood, vinyl, or fiber cement siding, Everlast siding is engineered to be a maintenancefree option that lasts a lifetime. Everlast siding is embossed with a CedarTouch® finish for an authentic look that is produced from rough-sawn, top-grade cedar. Its longevity can be credited to its composite substrate incorporating C CORE®, a component of the mineral composite formulation technology, making the product more robust than the alternatives.

Engineered to last a lifetime with minimal maintenance requirements, Everlast siding significantly eliminates the long-term costs of repainting every five to ten years. Everlast siding is built to withstand most extreme climate conditions, greatly reducing and/or eliminating the concern of warping or cracking. It is also impervious to water, which is critical for waterfront locations.

“I am familiar with building at the beach, and I even formerly served on our local architectural review committee. During that time, I just witnessed way too many issues on homes in the area that used real cedar or fiber cement siding,” said Stone. “Everlast was the clear choice, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.”

The Stone’s 5,500-square-foot home, which was designed in collaboration with architects at Hastings Associates LLC, was completed in 2024.