What Type of Siding Is Best For My House?

Your home’s exterior is responsible for a lot. It shields you and your loved ones from the elements, of course, but it also should seem warm and welcoming year-round. This post will help you decide which type of siding is best for your home if you are in the market for updating the exterior.

The Different Types of Siding

Wood

Wood shingle siding can be applied directly over previously-installed clapboard. Although, in most circumstances, the old siding should be removed before the new wood siding is installed. To further protect your home from air leaks and water damage, you should replace any damaged flashing or trim around windows and doors before putting in new siding.

Wood siding is typically made of pine or cedar. Pine siding may be less expensive than cedar, but it rots easily and attracts insects. Cedar also won’t contract, warp, expand, or fracture. Wood siding should be checked for cracks and other damage once a year and should be refinished every four to six years.

Engineered Wood

As an alternative to cedar siding, which is both expensive and can be less durable, engineered wood siding can provide the benefits of solid wood without the drawbacks. Engineered siding comes in a variety of styles. Wood flakes and resin (like oriented strand board) are used to make clapboards, which come primed from the factory.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding’s popularity is understandable, given its durability, longevity, low cost, and simplicity of installation. You may find siding in many different colors and designs today, including imitations of wood shingles, stone, and wood-grain lap siding. And because the color is made into the vinyl itself, wear and tear are less noticeable. This siding only requires occasional brushing and hosing down to keep it looking great.

Vinyl siding can be applied to freshly constructed walls or even to those that already have siding on them. In order to fill the spaces behind the siding’s stepped shape, insulated vinyl siding is backed with thick rigid foam insulation.

Aluminum

Aluminum siding, most commonly found in a clapboard style, has all the same advantages as vinyl siding but may also be painted. Some major drawbacks of aluminum siding are there is less variation in available styles than there is with vinyl siding. Also, unlike vinyl, aluminum can be dented by a stray baseball or a broken branch during a storm. However, this choice is worthwhile to investigate if you’re looking for a low-maintenance siding that can accommodate a future paint job.

James Hardie Siding

Back in the 1980s, James Hardie came onto the market and it is now widely used because of its longevity, low maintenance, and convincing wood grain pattern. This siding has been treated to stave off insects, rodents, mold, hail, woodpeckers and severe weather.

James Hardie’s fiber cement siding has been fire tested, finding that, unlike wood and vinyl, the siding did not contribute to the spread of flames. James Hardie siding guarantees that its materials will survive for at least 30 years under normal conditions. However, James Hardie siding, with regular care, can endure for up to 50 years before it needs to be completely replaced. Since we first began installing James Hardie siding over 20 years ago, we have done so on many homes with zero warranty concerns.

Siding Pro Is the Easy Choice

There are countless choices available when it comes to replacing your home’s siding. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the options. Don’t go it alone. Trust the experts at Siding Pro to help you make the right choice for your home. Based on your home’s age, location, current siding, and your design choices, we can help you find the perfect siding to give your home the protection it deserves and the look you want.

Is your siding in need of repair or replacement? Let qualified contractors at Siding Pro provide the exceptional service you need. Contact us today for more information on how we can maintain and replace your siding investment.