Choosing the right house siding is one of the most important home improvements decisions you’ll make. You’ll want to ensure you’re selecting the right type of siding to add value to and build equity in your home.
There are many different house siding options. You’ll want to consider all the different factors, including cost, maintenance needs, durability, and aesthetic appeal, because each type of siding has its strengths and weaknesses.
In this article, we’ll look at four of the most popular types of siding to help you make an informed choice.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is one of the most popular house siding options. It’s a type of plastic siding made from polyvinyl chloride or PVC. This makes it fire-resistant unless it reaches extremely high temperatures.
Vinyl siding is relatively inexpensive and comes in a wide selection of colors and styles, including cedar shake, wood grain, smooth, vertical, beaded, and clapboard, among others. It’s a versatile, aesthetically pleasing choice that never needs painting.
Vinyl is often used as a retrofit house siding, applied over old wood siding. Proper installation is crucial because it’s prone to warping and mold growth if not fitted with a waterproof seal.
On the downside, vinyl siding is susceptible to cracking in cold weather and can fade more quickly than other types of siding.
Fiber Cement Siding (Hardie Board Siding)
Fiber cement siding is a newer development in house siding. It’s durable, solid, and an excellent choice if you’re planning to stay in your home for a long time or if you live in a harsh climate. Warranties of 50 years are not uncommon.
This house siding option is made from a mixture of wood pulp and cement. It’s fire-resistant, virtually maintenance-free, and offers aesthetic flexibility. Fiber cement siding can be made to look like a variety of other siding materials, including stone, wood, and brick.
Fiber cement siding has a significant installation process that is labor-intensive and expensive.
Wood Siding
With its classic, natural beauty, wood siding is undoubtedly one of the most attractive house siding options. It’s one of the oldest types of siding available and comes in multiple styles, such as wood planks, vertical boards, and shingles. Another benefit is that it can be more customizable than other siding varieties.
One of the drawbacks of wood siding is that it requires continuous maintenance and repainting as time goes on. It’s also at risk of warping and splitting and can be damaged by rot, insects, and sun exposure. Wood is also a combustible material that makes it a fire hazard when exposed to high heat.
The cost of wood siding varies, depending on the type of wood, style, and finish, but it tends to be one of the more pricey options.
Metal Siding
Metal is gaining popularity as house siding. It’s durable, low-maintenance, fairly easy to install, and comes in a variety of types, like aluminum and steel.
It’s often used as a retrofit over wood siding and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Unlike wood, it does not tend to warp, rot, or be susceptible to pests or fire.
The drawbacks of metal house siding are that it offers little insulation and is not soundproof. If you’re bothered by outside noises or live in an area with extreme weather, this could be a problem. As far as cost, this is a moderate choice.
Call us today!
Crockett Home Improvement Inc. is a veteran-owned company. We’ve been offering reliable, quality home improvement at a competitive price in Christiansburg, Virginia and the surrounding areas for over 35 years.
We can help you choose the right type of house siding for your needs, along with our many other home improvement services. Call us toll-free at 540-382-8747 or fill out the online form to get a free quote.