Choosing the ideal siding type for your home is a big decision and often challenging. Nowadays, many options are available, and it’s crucial to consider all of them. When selecting the best exterior siding for your home, many important considerations include durability, aesthetic value, cost, and required maintenance. Quality siding installation is crucial for maximizing the performance and durability of each type of siding. Siding contractors suggest that each type of siding has advantages and disadvantages in specific areas.
Let’s discuss the types of siding for your home remodel.
Choosing Wood Siding Options and the Importance of Quality Installation
Real wood siding comes in a variety of shapes and designs and produces a timeless appearance that is especially suitable for homes with a classic design. Bevel (also known as clapboard or lap) siding is one of the earliest types of exterior home siding. It is applied horizontally and has a final coat of paint or stain applied to the outside.
Furthermore, shakes or shingles are additional options for wood siding. Shakes are less uniform in appearance and thickness than shingles, but they’re composed of thicker wood pieces and last longer. Shingles are smooth and uniform and can be cut into different shapes. Both shingles and shakes can be made from a variety of woods, but red cedar and redwood are the most common materials for wood siding.
In addition to this, board-and-batten siding, sometimes known as barn siding, is another common type. This technique produces a vertical appearance by using wide boards spaced with narrower strips (battens) covering the areas where the boards meet. Quality Siding Installation and regular maintenance are essential to prevent weather damage.
Metal Siding Installation: Simple and Efficient
Many homeowners consider metal only as a roofing material, but it is gaining popularity as an exterior siding material. It’s strong, relatively easy to install and available in a number of materials, including steel and aluminum. Once metal siding is installed, it requires minimal maintenance.
Moreover, it is durable and can withstand adverse weather conditions, including snow and extremely high or low temperatures. Unlike wood siding, metal siding is less susceptible to warping, rotting, and pest infestation. The disadvantage is that metal is not soundproof and is a poor insulator. So, metal siding may not be the best choice for those living in extreme climates or those sensitive to outside noises.
Brick Siding: Environmentally Friendly
Brick veneer, sometimes called brick siding, is a popular and long-lasting choice for exterior home design. It is made from natural elements such as sand, shale, and clay and has an extraordinarily long lifespan. When sourced locally, it also uses less energy. It may be more expensive initially, but as a thermal barrier, it increases energy efficiency without providing structural support. It is also easily recyclable, thereby facilitating the possibility of upcycling.
Brick siding has several features:
Durability: It lasts over 100 years and provides long-lasting protection.
Low Maintenance: Resistant to weathering, requiring little maintenance.
Environmentally Friendly: Made from natural elements like clay, shale, and sand.
Energy Efficiency: Acts as a thermal barrier by improving home insulation
Recycling Possibilities: Easily recyclable for future use
Vinyl Siding: Durable & Versatile
Vinyl, one of the most popular siding materials for residential construction, is made from PVC. Many builders like it due to its longevity and diversity:
Longevity: Well-known for its durability, vinyl can withstand many years of deterioration.
Customization: Homeowners can customize their exterior aesthetics in various colors and styles.
Maintenance: Vinyl siding lasts a long time and requires very little maintenance because it is composed of plastic.
The major drawback of vinyl siding is its susceptibility to UV rays, which can cause it to become brittle or warped. This is usually an issue in areas that receive a lot of sunlight throughout the year.
