Siding is a critical part of protecting your home against the elements. It must be sun- and water-resistant, able to withstand extreme temperatures and stay in place when the wind blows too hard.
Your siding choice depends on your budget, style and where you live. Some types are more suited to humid climates, while others work better in cold weather.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is one of the most popular residential cladding products because it offers many benefits. For starters, it’s an extremely low-maintenance material.
Unlike other types of exterior residential siding, it doesn’t peel or chip and won’t require scraping or painting for years.
It’s also extremely resistant to rotting and insect and termite damage, which is important to some homeowners.
However, there are some major disadvantages to using vinyl siding. These include the following:
Stone Siding
Stone siding is a classic and beautiful exterior cladding option for homeowners who want a unique look. It can create a distinctive aesthetic for every style and taste, from rustic to high-end.
It’s a popular choice for a home with a rustic, woodland, or country aesthetic. It also looks good in more modern homes with sleek accents.
However, it is a more expensive and difficult material to install than other types of siding. This is because it involves heavy stones that need to be placed and handled by skilled professionals.
Wood Siding
Wood is one of the most popular siding choices for homeowners, thanks to its natural beauty and durability. It is also fairly inexpensive and readily available.
However, it is important to remember that wood is susceptible to various insect pests. Termites, ants and wood-boring beetles can destroy your home if left unchecked.
Because of this, it is essential to maintain your wood siding to ensure its longevity and beauty. This can mean resealing, painting or staining it every few years.
Brick Siding
Brick siding is a classic choice that can enhance the look of your home. It requires less maintenance than other siding options and is popular with many homeowners.
It can be a beautiful addition to your home’s exterior and will help increase its resale value. It also helps to increase energy efficiency.
It is made from clay, a natural resource that is easy to come by, but it requires high temperature to harden it, and thus, a lot of energy goes into the manufacturing process. Therefore, you should choose a local brick manufacturer for your project to reduce the embodied energy footprint.
Concrete Siding
Concrete siding is the right choice if you’re looking for something more rustic or that resembles stone or brick. It’s rot-resistant, fire- and termite-proof, and comes in various colors.
It’s also relatively inexpensive compared with wood or stone. It can be painted for a more custom look and is available in various thicknesses and shapes to suit different home construction styles.
Composite Siding
Composite siding is a popular choice for homeowners who want to add value to their homes by improving the aesthetics of their exterior walls. It is also affordable and offers a variety of benefits, including low maintenance and enhanced insulation properties.
It can be shaped into many different styles and is available in several colors to fit the design of any home. It’s durable and resists water damage, rot, and mold.
Manufactured Siding
Manufactured siding is a less expensive option than traditional siding but has its downsides. These include high maintenance costs and a lower lifespan than other types of siding.
Engineered wood is made from wood strands that are combined with a resin, compressed and then coated with wax and borate to help make it moisture and insect resistant.
However, this coating can also weaken the siding. If it is scraped off or if a pressure washer or hailstones damage the siding, the wax and borate will be exposed, making it susceptible to water damage and rot.
