What is Siding on a House?
The primary purpose of your siding is to protect your home from all the weather elements including rain, wind, hail, snow as well as others. A professionally installed siding product also helps with insulation from chilly weather and will keep your energy bill low and vice versa for warm weather as well. The functionality of siding is straightforward but choosing the right material and style and color of your new siding for the aesthetic purposes can be detrimental to the curb appeal of your home. It is important to of course get the right siding for your climate but also a color and style of siding that matches your tastes and preferences. We created a list of some of the most popular types of siding for homes, so which type of siding is right for you and your home?
Vinyl Siding
Pros: Needs to be painted every 10-20 years, lower maintenance, not as expensive as other materials
Cons: Not as durable, disposal and manufacturing process is bad for the environment, melts under high heat
Vinyl siding is known for its availability in a wide range of colors and wood look options. Vinyl is also well known by many homeowners because of how widely it is used on homes. It makes it a safe choice for homeowners looking for an inexpensive option while still being a quality product that will last.
Something that you should know is that vinyl is not the most durable type of siding there is. It easily dents and becomes noticeable if you live in an area where it hails often or live near golf course, these dents and holes will populate. Something that you should also note is that vinyl becomes easy access for pests where they can really flourish.
James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding
Pros: Extremely durable, fire resistant, Lasting color, long lasting, little maintenance.
Multi-products and ColorPlus colors for single family homes in Raleigh, NC
Cons: More expensive than vinyl, LP and composite, not as expensive as other materials.
James Hardie Fiber Cement siding is commonly found to be one of the most durable materials there is. Fiber cement siding is made up of cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. Of course, other manufacturers have different formulas, but the James Hardie brand adds performance enhancing additives that make it the obvious choice for those looking to add substantial value and protection. Fiber Cement is known as being far more fire resistant than vinyl and wood materials and has saved many homes from worst case scenarios in the past. Every James Hardie fiber cement siding comes with the James Hardie Color Plus technology that will help in preserving the color and keeping your siding pristine.
Some may consider the cost of James Hardie fiber cement as being overwhelming but the security and advantages of James Hardie Fiber Cement that your home will add is second to none.
LP Smart Siding
Pros: Comparable warranties, durable, available with a large list of styles and options, comparable cost to most.
Cons: Not suitable for every climate, chipping is common, not fire resistant, pests love LP.
This type of siding is notably exceptionally durable and available in a wide range of styles and colors. In most cases LP siding will be extremely impact resistant. LP has a comparable cost to most other materials including vinyl and composite.
LP smart siding is made up of wood fibers and treated with other chemicals to resist pests and termites. These chemicals, if not applied correctly can lose its ability to provide adequate protection from pests. Mentioned earlier, LP smart siding is made of wood and is not fire resistant by any means. Something to consider when looking for your next siding material is the region you live in. Living in an area with high precipitation will not allow you to qualify for a significant percentage of the warranties under LP.
Composite siding
Pros: Economically priced, good appearance, Minimal maintenance, durable,
Cons: Color fades after 8-10 years, prone to cracking and splitting, unnatural texture.
Composite wood siding is made up of wood scraps and then bonded together with resins and then treated with chemicals to avoid mold and insects from penetrating your home. Composite siding does have a wood look if that is what your preference is. For what it is, it is very economical and is not as expensive as wood siding. Composite siding does have a wide range of colors, patterns and textures that will match whatever your preference is. Also, there is exceptionally minimal maintenance needed and it only needs to be repainted every 8-10 years and of course that depends on the climate you live in. The durability of composite siding is much better than vinyl and lasts about 5-10 years longer. It will protect your home from water damage, mold, weather damage, and fungus.
Whether you think of it as a positive or negative, the color of composite siding will fade at some point and does require to be repainted every 10 years or so. Because of the resin that binds that wood scraps together, composite siding is often found to crack and split which allows moisture to get through and cause a ripple effect throughout your siding. If you are looking for a wood grain texture, this might not be the option for you as it has a very unnatural feeling to it but gives off a wood-like appearance.
Board and Batten Siding
Pros: Aesthetically looks great on certain homes, wide range of options, long lasting if there are no issues.
Cons: More costly than any other siding material, hard to repair, issues with warping, not suitable for every home.
Often referred to as barn siding, board and batten siding is made of either a composite wood, vinyl, fiber cement, or steel. It is called barn siding
because it is usually installed into barns but, has been trending for its stacked look that will provide excellent durability. Because of its ability to block out harsh weather conditions, and pests it makes a desirable choice for those looking for a quality siding material. Something else that is great about this type of material is that it will last a few decades with little issues and little maintenance. Along with being lasting, it also comes in a wide range of styles and colors that will match any of your preferences.
Now for the not so good. Board and batten siding is known as being hard to find. Not a lot of contractors these days offer this type of siding. You are also going to pay a premium price for this as well. Depending on the size and type of home you have, board and batten might not be an excellent choice and may come out awkward looking. The biggest Issues that board and batten siding has is warping. Over time your new siding may warp and let in moisture and eventually rot away resulting in a new replacement job. This type of material is also extremely hard to repair, and any kind of repair usually results in an entire replacement.
Wood Siding
Pros: Environmentally friendly, endless finishes and stains options, durable if maintenance is done correctly, different wood options to choose, high end luxury item, assorted styles.
Cons: Expensive to maintain and to repair, pests are an issue, expensive depending on type of wood, fire hazard.
Wood siding can be a superb choice for those looking for that log cabin look. Wood siding can come in a wide range of types of woods including pine, spruce, fir, cedar, redwood, and cypress. It can also be stained and or painted in any color that you would like. If maintained and cared for on a yearly basis and even on a bi-annual basis it could last for decades. Homeowners nowadays are trying to find ways to set their homes apart and make them unique. Wood shake siding is known to be a luxury item that many prospective home buyers are looking for and could be a selling point. Wood siding can come in many shapes and forms including lap, shingle, shake etc.
Keep in mind wood siding is a luxury item and with every luxury item there is expensive maintenance to keep it pristine. Homeowners love the wood look, but pests love the wood even more. Termites and other pests might become a problem if they find an entrance into your home and will wreak havoc. As many are aware of, wood siding is not by any means capable of withstanding fires and can increase your home insurance premiums.
Metal Siding
Pros: Lower maintenance than many other types of siding, insects don’t find metal attractive, very durable, energy efficient, appearance is more modern, environmentally friendly.
Cons: Expensive, repairs are costly and challenging, prone to dents that are apparent.
Metal Siding has been a popular choice in recent years for its modern look and energy efficiency capabilities. This material is able to block UV rays from penetrating your home and helps your home support its temperature inside. Metal siding is also extremely durable and does not break down or lose its appearance over time. It is also very maintenance free with the exception of an annual cleaning with a pressure washer. Also, the manufacturing process as well as the recycling process is very environmentally friendly.
Much like wood siding, metal siding is a luxury item and is an expensive type of material. This is true as well for any kind of repair. If you are in need of a repair to your metal siding, unfortunately you won’t be able to replace the one spot that needs a repair, and you’ll have to replace the entire panel. This type of material is also prone to dents, but if you do have thicker metal panels than this issue is usually avoidable but of course you’re going to pay a premium for the thickness.
Which Siding is the Best for Your Home?
Comparing the materials for your new siding can be extremely hard, especially keeping your budget and your climate in mind. Every home is different, and every home has specific needs. So which material is best for your home? In our 11 years of experience in the home improvement industry, we do recommend American made, James Hardie fiber cement siding for its durable qualities and products that are made specifically for your home climate. See more about the benefits of James Hardie fiber cement siding.
Your Go-To Siding Home Improvement Contractor
Transform your home to a new and more updated curb appeal with DaBella. We provide industry leading limited manufacturer warranties and factory-trained installers that get the job done right the first time. If you are interested in seeing what DaBella has to offer, contact us today at 844-DaBella and see why we are the fastest growing home improvement company in the U.S and the best choice for your next siding replacement project.
