Choosing The Right Siding For Your Home

Whether you are looking to change your current siding or are working on building your dream home, choosing the right siding to keep the elements out can be a tough decision. Your siding is the first thing people are going to see when coming to your home making it a key point to your homes aesthetic appeal. With this article, we will outline the different sidings available to you as well as the pros and cons of each one.

There are multiple sidings you can choose such as various woods, types of stone, brick, manufactured stone veneer, synthetic stucco, ceramic tile, stainless steel, and more. Based on the types listed above which are best for the climate you live in? Which is going to be the most cost-effective? Which is going to flow with the style of house you are choosing to build? Which one will provide the durability and cost-effectiveness you are looking for? Predominately over the recent years, the answer has been vinyl siding.

Vinyl Siding

If you are looking for a cost-effective and low maintenance option, vinyl may be the best option for you. Vinyl is a water-resistant material unless moisture gets trapped behind the siding from improper installation or damage. It is very durable, however strong elements such as high winds or direct impact from falling limbs or objects can cause it to rip, crack, or fade. If you do not properly maintain vinyl and it begins to degrade creating cracks or rips you will not be able to mend it. The best option is to replace the damaged sections especially if you are planning on painting the exterior of your home in the near future. Over the years vinyl has performed well over the years as being the go-to choice for siding if you are looking for an option with low maintenance costs.

Wood Siding

Over the years wood's use as siding has decreased and lost part of its market share in the industry aside from its use for log cabins or areas like Cape Cod, MA. If you plan on using wood when building your next home, if installed correctly, can last over a decade and will only need to be painted once, again if done correctly, in its lifespan. If you live in areas where moisture can be a problem, such as Florida or Washington, make sure the painting company you are hiring properly preps the siding. If certain measures are not taken. One downside to wood siding is excessive moisture building up which when applying paint to the surface. This will cause bubbling and ultimately you will have to repaint the siding. If you don't like the look of paint on the wood you could always choose an alternative such as a stain. This will allow greater breathability and also help you avoid the possibility of any bubbling up from occurring. The downside to choosing a stain over paint is having to apply new law every 4-6 years versus the 7-10 years for vinyl siding. Even though there can be more maintenance involved than vinyl siding some people prefer the traditional wood feel.

Stucco

Stucco also know as Portland cement plaster, is a very versatile siding that goes well with any environment and geographical location. It is made up of cement, lime, and silica applied to consist of multiple layers over either wood or metal. It is a very appealing option for a lot of people because of the low cost of installation as well as low maintenance. The only climate this siding may have trouble in is anywhere with abnormally high amounts of moisture such as Seattle. This is due to the porousness and lack of breathability.

Brick

If you are looking for a siding option that is claimed to be the "ultimate building" material, look no further. It offers buyers a more environmentally friendly option as it is made from natural resources. The brick will also not dent, rot, or dry out from the elements. It is also very durable when put under stress from elements such as high winds throwing debris, moisture, and earthquakes. Another attractive feature of brick is its ability to last decades, even generations, while the color will not fade and has a great ability to muffle sound coming in from the outside. It will be much more costly compared to other siding options but on the flip side when taking into account how long it can last the price is well worth it if you enjoy the aesthetics of brick.