When selecting the perfect siding, identify the factors that matter most. Do you desire a certain look? Do you want something easy to maintain? What is your budget? Two main factors influence every homeowner’s siding decisions: functionality and aesthetics. For this article, we will not be discussing brick, stone or stucco. Instead, we will discuss different types of siding options.
Functionality
When looking for the right siding for your home, consider how well it works for your home and your environment. Consider insulation value, ease of installation, durability, and required maintenance.
Aesthetics
The curb appeal you desire for the exterior of your home will also affect which siding option you choose. If you desire the look of wood you will not be happy with vinyl siding, no matter how inexpensive it is. You may live in an HOA requiring a certain look or material. Others may prefer a more manufactured look.
Best Siding Options
As you contemplate the look you want for your home, as well as the functionality you desire, consider the following available siding options.
Vinyl Siding
One of the most popular choices of siding is Vinyl. As the cheapest overall, it resists fading, weather and insect problems. It requires no sealing or painting, making it the most easily-maintained option. Because of its availability at home improvement stores and its ease of installation, those who are handy can save on installation costs by installing it themselves. However, it insulates poorly. It also accumulates mold and dirt requiring regular cleaning. The “plastic” look of vinyl siding just may not appeal to some people.
It comes in a variety of colors and styles including vertical, horizontal and shake style to please most anyone. Vinyl usually lasts 20-30 years. Choose vinyl when other homes in your neighborhood also use vinyl siding and you want something easy to maintain.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding costs less than most other siding options on the market. It resists rust better than other metal materials. It is also fairly low maintenance. One of its biggest drawbacks includes how easily it dents upon impact. It may also fade requiring a fresh coat of paint periodically.
Aluminum siding typically lasts 30-50 years. It comes in a variety of styles and colors. Because of its durability, life-span, improved look and relatively low cost, aluminum siding is considered an upgrade from vinyl siding.
Steel Siding
Steel siding was one of the first alternatives to wood siding. Through modern advances, many of the steel siding problems no longer exist. Manufacturers coat steel siding with materials including PVC, Kynar and Zinc to help prevent corrosion. Steel siding requires less maintenance than wood and is more durable than most vinyl. It also costs less than wood. Steel siding resists fire, insects, mold and impact. It is fairly easy to install; because it is heavier than vinyl or aluminum, it may cause some challenges for a do-it-yourselfer. As a “green” building material it helps keep homes cool. Though more resilient than the previous options, if it gets scratched it will rust. You should therefore inspect it regularly and repair quickly when problems arise. Steel siding also amplifies outside noises such as rain hitting the house. This makes it a noisier product.
Steel siding comes in a variety of designs and colors. Steel siding usually lasts 30-50 years. Because of modern improvements to its design, steel siding is a great choice for a lower cost and a great look.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber Cement combines cement with wood fiber creating an excellent siding option. It is impervious to insects and rot as well as deterioration from salt and the rays of the sun. Fiber Cement looks more like wood than other options. It is also less flammable than wood. It comes either pre-finished or unfinished. Pre-finished siding needs no painting. Fiber cement does not require much regular maintenance but needs refinishing about every 15 years. A scratch to fiber cement exposes its core, opening it to moisture. If not corrected, moisture will cause bulging and deterioration of the material.
Fiber cement siding comes in a variety of styles and colors. It lasts for 35-50 years. Fiber cement is a good choice if your home owner’s association does not allow vinyl or aluminum siding but you want something that requires less maintenance than wood siding.
Natural Wood Siding
One of the greatest reasons people choose wood siding is because they love its rich look. Many also like it because it is eco-friendly. It insulates better than any other siding for your home or office. When maintained properly, it lasts longer than any other siding option available. It requires more maintenance than most other siding options; however, wood rots more easily than other siding materials. Because of this, you must regularly sand, stain and reseal your siding to protect it from deterioration. Power-washing wood siding can also enhance the lifetime of wood siding. Required maintenance includes power-washing, staining and sealing.
Wood siding comes in shakes, shingles or clapboard. Shakes are split by hand or with a special mechanical tool, resulting in a thicker product than shingles. Shingles are machine cut and thus more uniform and thin. Both shakes and shingles are small boards layered on top of each other on install. Clapboard siding are planks of wood installed horizontally. Which wood siding you choose depends on your location and climate. It is one of the most costly materials for siding. Depending on the care given it, wood siding lasts 50 plus years.
Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood is made up of composite wood fiber and resin. It is also known as synthetic wood siding, manufactured wood siding, composite wood siding and engineered siding. It is a great option for those who love the look of wood but want a more robust option. Engineered wood insulates as well as natural wood siding. It also prevents many of the problems prone to natural wood such as warping, rotting or swelling. Engineered wood costs less and installs easier than natural wood. It requires no painting or staining making it easy to maintain. Engineered wood is more durable than vinyl and aluminum siding upon impact. It is still prone to moisture invasion. Though it looks more like natural wood than vinyl, it still doesn’t perfectly match natural wood.
No matter the job, the team at Specialty Home Products will make sure to do it right. Our representatives will review the benefits of each material so you can choose the best option for you. We are proud to be a part of the community and work hard for client satisfaction. When you need to replace the siding on a home or business, contact Specialty Home Products. This locally-owned and operated Spokane business goes the extra mile for customer satisfaction and quality work. We offer the most versatile siding installation in the Spokane area. That’s how we earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.