Building a Legacy: How Stephen Herman and Sider Lumber Supply Are Shaping Home Renovation on Long Island

by Kim Faines

Building a Legacy: How Stephen Herman and Sider Lumber Supply Are Shaping Home Renovation on Long Island

Since 1948, Sider Lumber Supply Company has been more than just a building materials supplier — it’s become a cornerstone of craftsmanship, customer service, and innovation on Long Island. At the heart of it now is Stephen Herman, whose work reflects decades of family expertise, evolving product trends, and a deep understanding of what homeowners, contractors, and sellers truly need. In this article, we dig into Stephen’s journey, the state of building materials, what upgrades are worth it, and how Sider Lumber is guiding people to build better, more beautiful homes.

Family Roots, Big Vision

Sider Lumber’s story isn’t just about wood and siding; it’s about people. Founded in 1948, the business was passed down through generations, building not just a company but a culture. Stephen Herman is part of that legacy. Under his leadership, Sider has kept its family values front and center: honesty, personal service, and community connections.

Stephen’s approach isn’t flashy — it’s grounded. As he often points out, it’s about showing up, knowing your materials, and making sure people get what they need. Whether someone is a homeowner wanting to enhance their curb appeal or a contractor needing large orders of specialized siding, Sider aims to be the kind of business where the customer walks in, gets advice, and walks out confident.

What Sider Lumber Carries — From Foundation to Finishing Touches

One thing that constantly stands out when spending time talking with Stephen is the wide range of materials Sider Lumber offers. It’s not just boards anymore. Here’s a list of what you’ll find, and why each matters:

Lumber for framing, structural needs, and basic builds
Decking options: traditional wood species (cedar, mahogany, pressure‑treated) and composites (Trex, TimberTech)
Windows & Doors: energy‑efficient models, modern styles, storm doors, custom wood doors
Siding: vinyl, fiber cement, engineered/composite sidings, cedar shake look / board & batten styles
Interior trim, hardware, and finishing materials that match modern aesthetics
Roofing & roofing supplies — although less glamorous, these are foundational

This spectrum of offerings means Sider can be a one‑stop‑shop whether your project is big or small.

The Post‑COVID Materials Market: Chaos, Adjustments, and What’s Next

Stephen notes that since COVID, the building and materials market has shifted in fundamental ways. Some of the key challenges:

Supply chain disruptions — shipments stuck at ports, factories closing, delays.
Inflation and tariffs — costs rising for raw materials, transportation, importing. These have squeezed margins and forced all of Sider’s customers to adjust.
Labor & logistics issues — harder to get timely deliveries, more back‑orders.

Despite that, demand has stayed strong. Homeowners and builders are still buying — maybe a bit more cautiously, but still with intention. Many are choosing upgrades and finishes that offer value or future resale benefits. People want materials that last, that look good, and that help reduce energy bills.

What’s Trending: Materials, Styles, and Projects

Stephen sees several clear trends shaping home renovations and new builds on Long Island right now. These are things that sellers, renovators, and contractors should be watching closely:

Composite Decking Is Gaining Ground
Maintenance‑free composite materials are increasingly popular because of their long warranties (25‑50 years), fade resistance, and, in some lines, even heat mitigation technologies. People still love the look of real wood — cedar, mahogany — especially for that “authentic” feel, but composite is much easier over time.
Siding That Mimics Wood But Doesn’t Need Wood’s Upkeep
Vinyl still has its place for cost effectiveness. But fiber cement, composite/engineered sidings, and textured options that mimic cedar shingles or rough‑sawn wood are trendy. These allow homeowners to get rustic, beach‑house vibes without constant maintenance.
Energy‑Efficiency Is Non‑Negotiable
Windows, doors, insulation, roofing, and siding products that help with energy conservation are in high demand. Buyers expect these features. Upgrading to energy‑efficient windows or modern door systems not only improves comfort and utility costs, but adds resale value.
Modern & Sleek Indoor Finishes
Gone are the days when a generic six‑panel colonial door or trimmed heavy crown molding was enough. Buyers are wanting flat panels, square edges, minimalist hardware, black or contrasting door handles, streamlined trim. Interior styles are following exterior trends: clean, simple, bold, with attention to detail.
Curb Appeal Is More Than Just Lawn
Projects that make a strong first impression are big sellers. That includes updated siding, a refreshed front door, hardware, possibly faux stone accents or board & batten at the front façade. Even when only a portion of the exterior gets attention, it can have an outsized impact on perceived value.

What Sellers Should Prioritize

If your goal is resale, Stephen offers practical advice on which upgrades offer the best bang for the buck:

Windows & Doors — Replace old, drafty windows with modern energy‑efficient models. Update front doors and entryways. These changes advertise care, reduce bills, and attract buyers.
Exterior Styling Upgrades — New siding (or selective accent siding), fresh trim, color coordination (door, shutters, siding). Small touches like hardware, hinges, and fixtures also matter more now.
Decking & Outdoor Spaces — Outdoor living has become a priority. A deck that looks good, doesn’t require massive upkeep, and has well‑chosen railings and color play can significantly raise appeal.
Interior Modernization Without Overbuilding — Don’t overdo expensive upgrades if they won’t match the neighborhood. But replacing outdated doors, updating trim, matching finishes throughout a home, and ensuring good lighting and flow can help immensely.

How Sider Lumber Helps You Make Smart Choices

One of the things people appreciate most about working with Stephen and his team is guidance. With so many materials and options, choosing can feel overwhelming. Sider Lumber helps by:

Showroom displays — They showcase sample windows, doors, decking, railing, siding — being able to see/feel things in person helps people make decisions.
Staff expertise — Their team listens to what homeowners and contractors want (style, maintenance, budget) and helps narrow options. Not pushing the most expensive product, but what fits best.
Matching aesthetics — Helping clients consider the color of house, shutters, doors, trim— coordinating all these so the result is cohesive.
Custom orders & flexibility — If a client sees something online or has a vision, Sider tries to source or order it. They don’t just stick to what’s in stock.

Challenges, Trade‑Offs, and What to Be Aware Of

Renovating or building is rarely perfect. Stephen is clear about what people should watch out for:

Upfront cost vs long‑term value — Premium materials (fiber cement siding, composite decking, high‑efficiency windows) can cost more initially, but save money and hassle over time.
Maintenance commitment — Real wood looks beautiful, ages naturally, but will demand maintenance: sealing, staining, protecting from rot/insects. Composite cuts most of that out.
Lead times & supply delays — Even with normal supply chains resuming, some products still face delays. Planning ahead is crucial.
Matching neighborhood expectations — You can upgrade your house, but if you overbuild compared to surrounding homes, resale value might not reflect cost. Taste, style, neighborhood norms matter.

Stephen Herman’s Vision for the Future

Stephen sees Sider Lumber continuing to evolve in two big areas:

More Sustainable & Energy Efficient Solutions
As buyers care more about energy bills, carbon footprints, and long‑term savings, materials that support efficiency will keep growing: windows, doors, insulation, siding, exterior finishes.
Better Technology & Design Integration
More realistic siding textures, composite materials with better heat reflection, better color options, design trends that allow people to personalize without compromising durability.

Stephen aims to keep Sider Lumber at the forefront of those trends, offering what’s new but also what works.

Real Story, Real Advice

Here are a few from real customers that Steven shares—these are not hypothetical; these are things they hear:

A homeowner upgraded just the front façade: new fiber cement siding for the front, accent stone around the entrance, modern hardware. Sale price and buyer interest grew significantly just from curb appeal.
Contractor clients who switched to composite decking for clients because of the long warranty and lower maintenance: happy homeowners, fewer warranty calls, less upkeep.
People who tried to cut corners buying lower‑grade sash windows ended up paying more later due to drafts, moisture problems, or cold spots. Quality windows from recognized brands make a difference up front and down the line.

This Matters for Long Island Now

Homes here face specific challenges: coastal weather, humidity, sun exposure, salt air. Materials have to do more than just look good — they need to withstand climate stress, resist rot, avoid warping, fade less, handle storms. These environmental factors make durability and material choice extra important.

Stephen’s perspective is that, for Long Island homeowners, paying a bit more for materials built for these conditions often means fewer headaches, less maintenance, and a better long‑term investment.

How to Move Forward with Your Project

If you’ve been thinking about renovating, upgrading, or prepping your house for sale, here are steps Stephen suggests:

Walk through ideas — Make a list of things you’d like: deck, siding, door, windows.
Visit showrooms — See materials in person. Touch, look at finishes, test hardware.
Get quotes for both economy & premium materials — Compare cost vs maintenance and lifespan.
Coordinate color and style — Think whole house: siding, windows, doors, trim, even hardware.
Plan for future resale — Don’t overbuild; pick upgrades that will appeal to the widest audience if you sell.

Final Thoughts

Stephen Herman and the team at Sider Lumber embody what a strong, family‑rooted building materials company looks like in today’s market. They blend history, customer care, and up‑to‑date knowledge so homeowners and builders aren’t just buying products — they’re making smart, value‑driven decisions. For anyone looking at materials, upgrades, or planning a home project on Long Island, understanding, planning, and choosing well is the way forward.

Visit www.dreamselectrealty.com or contact us at 631‑623‑7117. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @dreamselectrealty, Twitter @dreamselecthome, or email hometeam@dreamselectrealty.com for the latest updates on homes for sale on Long Island in New York.