As you approach a house one of the first things you see if the siding. This forms your first impression of a house. Is your siding worn or damaged? If so you could be sending the wrong message about your home. Home improvements such as siding require a good deal of research. Starting you research you will quickly realize that there are a number of different options available on the market. As siding professionals we install numerous different types of siding. Because of this we know that each siding choice is markedly different from each other. Three frequently used choices are vinyl siding, wood siding, and fiber cement siding. Each of these offer their own advantages and disadvantages.
The most frequently used siding option today is vinyl. Vinyl is frequently one the more inexpensive choices. For homeowners who are very price conscious this may serve as the first advantage of vinyl. As an additional benefit it has an projected 50 year lifetime. Vinyl siding offers a large variety of colors and textures for homeowners to choose from. The great number of choices vinyl provides a diverse number of looks to fit a range of preferences. Vinyl is a low maintenance product as it doesn't require painting or staining.
On the downside severe weather can lead to damage on vinyl siding. And as siding installers we have witnessed hail damage to siding first hand. Damage of this kind can be difficult to repair on vinyl siding. Pairing with an insulated backing, is a needed extra step, as vinyl siding on it's own does not have any insulating properties. This option is also not considered to be particularly environmentally friendly.
Wood siding, a biodegradable product, is considered a greener choice. In addition it is manufactured from a renewable resource! Cedar is one of the most popular choices for wood siding and when we install siding it is our material of choice. Cedar gives a beautiful natural look and can be stained a number of different earth tones. Since wood siding does provide some insulation by itself you may see a lower heating or cooling bill. Wood siding, or shakes, is a durable siding. It can, however, be easily repaired if damage does happen. It is easy to repair only damaged areas without residing large areas or your entire home.
Wood siding does require more maintenance. It typically needs staining or painting about every five years after. Because it is a natural product you must watch for mildew or moss. Untreated they can cause damage to your siding.
One of the most durable options is fiber cement siding. Typically less expensive then wood, it can be made to have the look of wood, stucco, or masonry. Contributing to its' durability it is both long lasting and fire resistant. Fiber cement maintenance is normally low.
Fiber cement requires professional installation and sometimes needs to be painted. We always use factory trained installers for our siding projects using fiber cement. Your siding should be installed by qualified professionals who are trained to install fiber cement siding. Correctly installing a product is crucial to making sure it performs the best it can.
There may be additional options available to you, but these are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most commonly used choices. Refer to siding professionals in your area to guide you to the best siding choice to meet your specific needs and desired look. Your location may influence your choice in siding, for example with siding we may take in to account the effect of all four seasons of weather including snow and hail when making a recommendation to a client. In your area of the country there may be an extreme heat or other weather to consider. Clean new siding will send a positive message about the upkeep of your home.
The most frequently used siding option today is vinyl. Vinyl is frequently one the more inexpensive choices. For homeowners who are very price conscious this may serve as the first advantage of vinyl. As an additional benefit it has an projected 50 year lifetime. Vinyl siding offers a large variety of colors and textures for homeowners to choose from. The great number of choices vinyl provides a diverse number of looks to fit a range of preferences. Vinyl is a low maintenance product as it doesn't require painting or staining.
On the downside severe weather can lead to damage on vinyl siding. And as siding installers we have witnessed hail damage to siding first hand. Damage of this kind can be difficult to repair on vinyl siding. Pairing with an insulated backing, is a needed extra step, as vinyl siding on it's own does not have any insulating properties. This option is also not considered to be particularly environmentally friendly.
Wood siding, a biodegradable product, is considered a greener choice. In addition it is manufactured from a renewable resource! Cedar is one of the most popular choices for wood siding and when we install siding it is our material of choice. Cedar gives a beautiful natural look and can be stained a number of different earth tones. Since wood siding does provide some insulation by itself you may see a lower heating or cooling bill. Wood siding, or shakes, is a durable siding. It can, however, be easily repaired if damage does happen. It is easy to repair only damaged areas without residing large areas or your entire home.
Wood siding does require more maintenance. It typically needs staining or painting about every five years after. Because it is a natural product you must watch for mildew or moss. Untreated they can cause damage to your siding.
One of the most durable options is fiber cement siding. Typically less expensive then wood, it can be made to have the look of wood, stucco, or masonry. Contributing to its' durability it is both long lasting and fire resistant. Fiber cement maintenance is normally low.
Fiber cement requires professional installation and sometimes needs to be painted. We always use factory trained installers for our siding projects using fiber cement. Your siding should be installed by qualified professionals who are trained to install fiber cement siding. Correctly installing a product is crucial to making sure it performs the best it can.
There may be additional options available to you, but these are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most commonly used choices. Refer to siding professionals in your area to guide you to the best siding choice to meet your specific needs and desired look. Your location may influence your choice in siding, for example with siding we may take in to account the effect of all four seasons of weather including snow and hail when making a recommendation to a client. In your area of the country there may be an extreme heat or other weather to consider. Clean new siding will send a positive message about the upkeep of your home.
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