Deciding On Your House Siding Choices
Once, siding choices were limited. But today, the variety of material, colors and styles run the gamut from practical, simple plank style to more creative and elegant designs that can be customized. Whether you’re in the market for vinyls, woods, aluminum or fiber cement, when you’re ready for siding replacement you will have no trouble finding a great selection. Beyond Custom in the Chicago area gives you a breakdown of each of your siding choices to help you sort out which suit your taste and your budget.
A Closer Look At House Siding Choices
Each material that makes up today’s siding choices have their advantages, as and price selection. But, whichever you choose for siding replacement, a quality siding installation should serve you well for no less than ten years and as much as fifty years, depending on the material. The core functions of house siding are to properly weatherize your home and keep home energy costs to a minimum while offering an attractive exterior that enhances home value.
Of course, no matter how top-of-the-line are your siding choices, materials of every kind have a set lifespan. And the unanticipated, like severe storms or winds, can also take a toll. So you want to take your time and research which siding choices are the ideal ones for your type of home, your area and your budget for siding replacement.
First Up: Vinyl Siding Choices
Vinyl technology today allows for good value as well as a wide array of different vinyl siding choices. Vinyl is paintable, but you can also order it ready made in many different hues, faux “grains” that mimic the elegance of wood, and siding styles. Vinyl siding is also popular for its pricing, which is lower than aluminum siding (which will be covered later in this article). Quality installations are easily done by trained professionals, and it needs virtually no maintenance.
It’s important to emphasize the point of proper installation in order to prevent warps or poor coverage. While vinyl may crack in frigid conditions should it be hit by a hard enough object, this is by no means an absolute. So vinyl siding choices remain a well-liked option in northern areas of the U.S.
So, when should you consider vinyl siding replacement for your home? Frequently, replacement goes along with the decision to sell your home. If your siding is at least 20 years old when you decide to sell, you’ll probably be advised by your agent to go with a full replacement. Doing so presents a clean, fresh exterior that increases curb appeal which, in turn, can raise your property value and attract a buyer much more quickly.
If you have no plans to sell any time soon, and if your vinyl siding is less than 20 years old and still retains a relatively bright and clean-looking, going with sections of vinyl siding replacement may do the trick. You might go with this option to replace specific pieces of siding that has taken on dimpling, cracks or other damage because of the elements. However, be prepared to live with a mismatch due to the fading that inevitably occurs with time. All quality siding contractors will do their very best to keep the difference in shading to the very minimum. But even the best of installers can’t reverse the effects of years of even typical climate exposure.
Another reason for you to consider new vinyl siding choices is the appearance of mildewing or growing of molds. While these don’t always mean you have serious issues, they certainly can be a warning sign of something more serious. Moisture may be seeping under the siding and rotting your home exterior beneath. When you see a place that looks moldy or mildewy, gently but firmly try pulling the siding to see if it will separate from your home’s structure beneath. If the siding can be readily bent or you see that it is warping, that means the siding has aged out and should be replaced.
Lastly do a thorough inspection all around the areas of your house with siding. Be on the lookout for significant cracking, denting or holes. By and large, should about half of the siding show such types of damage, it’s time for a full siding replacement.
Keep in mind that today’s vinyl siding choices come in regular and insulated so, in addition to choosing from the variety of colors, styles and textures you will want to decide if regular or insulated best suits your needs and budget.
Wooden Siding Choices
Wooden siding choices are as varied as vinyl. They offer outstanding looks while they add personality to any home. Vintage and classic houses often still use clapboards or beveled-edged siding because for a distinct appearance.
Still, wooden siding does have some disadvantages compared to other types of siding choices. One of these, depending on your budget could be price. Treated wood can vary in cost according to types of wood and other factors such as style of cutting, staining preference or paint selection. You’ll also want to decide if your siding choices in wood are worth the maintenance involved, comparing pros and cons of each wood type and other siding material. Regardless of the type of wood, re-painting or re-staining will be needed about every four years on average. This is essential to guard your wooden siding investment from insect damage or mildewing.
Siding Choices In Aluminum
When aluminum entered upon the siding choices scene, it became immediately popular for its affordability and very low maintenance needs. While the early choices in this material were limited, today’s aluminum siding, like vinyl, comes in a variety of colors, styles and texturing.
These advantages in aluminum keep it popular as siding replacement. But aluminum does hold the possibility of denting, and its coloring can take on chalky or faded appearance due to oxidation over time. The oxidation, however, doesn’t affect this siding material’s protective qualities. Still, many homeowners who use it elect to have a siding replacement when aluminum reaches this point in order to keep curb appeal and re-sale value at their optimum.
Siding Choices In Fiber Cement
More so than perhaps any other siding choices, fiber cement excels in resilience as well as long life. Its quality, versatility and ability to remarkably mimic wood textures as well as other materials consistently put it at top of list with many homeowners. Fiber cement is a relative newcomer that’s gaining popularity every year.
With the ability to appear, cut and be installed like wood, while also being a low maintenance champion, this comes as no surprise . Numerous makers of fiber cement will include twenty-five or fifty year warranties with installation. Being at the top-of-line of siding choices, the one drawback may be pricing if your budget is limited. On the other hand, its long term value and savings is undeniable. When deciding to go with complete siding replacement, fiber cement is definitely worth looking into.
Questions? Beyond Custom Is Happy To Help
Choosing best option for your home among all the siding choices is an important home investment decision that you’ll be living with a long time. But Beyond Custom in the greater Chicago area has the expertise to help. Call us at (630) 806-1690 or use our Contact Us Page. We’re happy to help.
