Today's savvy homeowner knows that when it comes to the best materials for their home exterior, not all siding types are created equal. They consider factors such as durability, weather resistance, aesthetic appeal, maintenance and sustainability.
Today, we'd like to show you why Rollex steel siding is the perfect choice and how it outperforms wood in not just one or two, but nine key areas:
1. Composition
Steel siding is a type of covering that is available in different gauges and has different coating options. It also must be able to handle certain amounts of weight and bending.
Unlike wood, steel is not subject to vulnerabilities like water damage, chipping and flammability. The addition of protective coatings enhances the resilience of our steel siding even further, which gives it a clear advantage over wood.
2. Aesthetic Qualities
Steel siding and wood siding, particularly engineered hardwood, can both offer a visually appealing finish to a building. Both materials can be made in a wide range of colors and even mimic the natural texture of wood grain to provide an authentic, wood-like appearance. In some instances, steel siding designed to replicate cedar wood may even look more convincing than engineered wood itself.
However, the aesthetic qualities of steel siding have an advantage due to its resilience. Because of its material strength and resistance to the elements, steel siding maintains its appearance longer.
3. Moisture Resistance
Wood tends to absorb moisture which can lead to rotting and sagging over time, but steel is an entirely different story.
Rollex steel siding is fully resistant to moisture absorption and provides superior protection against rain, humidity and snow — this means that the look of steel siding stays consistent over time, making it a compelling choice for long-term investments.
4. Fire Rating and Flammability
Safety is paramount, and steel siding presents significant advantages over wood siding in terms of fire rating and flammability. Steel siding is classified as non-combustible, and when installed correctly with the right type of coating, metal has a Class A fire rating, which is the best rating. The inherent fire resistance of steel allows it to withstand high temperatures without melting or contributing to the spread of flames. This is in contrast to wood siding, which can act as fuel for a fire.
5. Longevity
Steel siding is known for its superior longevity compared to wood due to its robust and durable nature. Both materials have their merits, but steel has several advantages that contribute to its longer lifespan. Steel is extremely resilient against adverse weather conditions, resistant to pests and does not rot or warp like wood.
Furthermore, steel siding requires less maintenance than wood, which requires regular inspections, scraping, sealing, caulking and painting or staining to prevent deterioration. Wood siding may need replacement or extensive repairs after 20 to 30 years, but steel siding can easily last up to 50 years or more for superior longevity.
6. Maintenance
Wood requires consistent care to maintain its look and performance including regular painting, sealing and inspection for insects or rot. Steel siding, on the other hand, requires very minimal maintenance, which frees up your time and resources for other things.
7. Environmentally Friendly
Rollex steel siding keeps the health of the environment top of mind. Consider the following ways we strive to reduce our carbon footprint:
- To conserve transportation energy, we source our materials from within a 500-mile radius.
- We recycle oil and wastewater within our factory.
- Last year, Rollex saved 1,141 trees, prevented 402 tons of landfill waste and avoided 610 metric tons of CO2 emissions by using pallets made of reclaimed lumber. This is equivalent to removing more than 2,000 cars from the road.
- Each year, we recycle hundreds of thousands of pounds of aluminum and steel scrap. The process of recycling steel provides 70% energy savings compared to using new materials. In addition, the process of recycling steel contributes to job creation, as roles are needed for scrap collection, separation and the recycling process.
- Our products do not need frequent maintenance, so you don't have to use any chemicals, paints or pesticides to maintain their appearance. If you live in an area that suffers from drought, the low maintenance of steel siding also helps to reduce water usage for cleaning.
- The building will have lower maintenance and replacement costs throughout its lifespan.
- Rollex products do not generate harmful silica dust, which is produced by fiber cement products and is known to cause cancer.
In fact, we are Home Innovation NGBS Green Certified, an achievement we are very proud of!
8. Pest Resistance
Unlike wood, steel does not attract termites or other pests that can cause substantial damage over time. This means you won’t need to worry about costly pest control measures when you choose steel siding.
9. Impact Resistance
Steel is a stronger and more rigid material than wood, and it has a high resistance to impact. Therefore, it is less likely to crack, warp or chip when exposed to heavy forces.
On the other hand, wood, although it has a certain degree of impact resistance due to its natural flexibility, is prone to damage like splitting or cracking when subjected to high-force impacts.
Properly installed steel siding holds up better against hail, debris, and other types of impact compared to wood siding. This makes it a superior choice in areas prone to severe weather conditions.
Discover the Long-Term Benefits of Rollex Steel Siding