Siding not only provides great curb appeal but also protects the exterior of your home from weather damage. A home with siding can go several years without needing repainting or maintenance. However, a house without siding can be a costly burden, constantly needing attention and repairs.
In thinking about the long term endeavors, adding siding to your home is surely worth the investment. There are many materials that you can use to side your home with each having their own benefits and setbacks. We will be looking at the four most popular materials that are used to protect the exteriors of your house: wood, aluminum, vinyl, and cement fiber.
Materials
Wood Siding
Wood is one of the oldest materials used for siding and leaves a beautiful finish. The only downside to having wood siding is that it requires a lot of maintenance work. You have to repaint and caulk often to keep up appearances, though the repairs themselves are fairly easy.
Wood also may not last as long as other materials because it can be damaged by insects, rotting, warping, or splitting. Wood material is generally moderately priced and is fairly reasonable.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum material is a desirable alternative to wood because it requires low maintenance work and is very durable. There are a few disadvantages to having aluminum siding.
- The paint sometimes tends to fade, chalk, or run off.
- It doesn’t come in detailed designs which can be a major turn off.
- It is prone to dents and can be noisy during a storm.
Aluminum, like wood, is also pretty reasonably priced unless you ask for vinyl or plastic coated aluminum, which is a little more expensive.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl material is one of the most popular choices today for home siding. Like aluminum, vinyl comes in a variety of styles and colors. However, it is prone to cracking under cold weather conditions, warping, and buckling. The plus side to having vinyl is that it usually costs less than aluminum or wood. Also, it requires very low maintenance.
Cement Fiber Siding
Cement Fiber is the newest material introduced and used for home siding. This material is extremely durable and is practically maintenance free. It is also made from recyclable material so it is environmentally friendly as well. Because it does not rot, warp, or become damaged from insects, this material is a little more pricey.
