A new siding can completely transform the look of your home, adding to its value and curb appeal. This is an important part of maintaining the longevity and beauty of your house—and it’s also a big-ticket project!
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Wood Siding
Wood siding, one of the oldest types of siding available for homes today, is typically made from pine or another type of hardwood.
Advantages
Wood is an attractive, versatile material that can help you enhance the value and beauty of your home. Wood’s natural sculptural qualities make it easy to shape for installation; if well cared for, wood will remain part of your house through many generations—as long as its owners maintain it properly over time. The manufacture of wood creates very little pollution compared to the production of other materials.
Disadvantages
For many homeowners, the time and effort required to maintain wood siding has made this traditional home exterior a less attractive option than other types of siding materials.
Wood must be regularly maintained, caulked, and repaired in order to preserve its quality. Wood is also flammable and prone to damage by rot, insects or warping—conditions that are made worse by harsh weather conditions.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is a hard plastic-like material that has become the most popular siding in the United States because of its versatility and low cost.
Advantages
Vinyl siding is the least expensive option because it’s lightweight, easy to install and requires low labor costs—which reduces its price. It has a wide range of colors, styles and upgrades; new choices are frequently added.
The panel material is moderate in lifespan and requires little maintenance, so the entire surface will always look good. Because it’s a uniform color, nicks and scratches won’t show as easily on this siding as they might on others—and they’ll never need painting!
Disadvantages
Although some homeowners claim that vinyl siding can look just as beautiful as wood or stone, it is generally acknowledged that the material will not imitate those more expensive materials exactly. Over time, vinyl siding can fade or crack and dent due to impact or extreme cold, especially if the product is not installed properly.
Vinyl is not a very environmentally friendly product, because the polyvinyl chloride used to make it can take decades to degrade in landfills. However, some vinyl manufacturers do recycle their products, which minimizes this problem.
Consider all of your options before making a decision, but don’t get too stressed out by it—a professional siding contractors will help you choose what is best.
