Choosing new siding for your home is an exciting experience, but finding the perfect material that is both beautiful and sustainable can be overwhelming. If you are concerned with the environment, you’ll want to choose an eco-friendly siding. But it can be difficult to figure out which siding material is eco-friendly, durable and available in the colors you want.
Take a look at any home remodeling magazine or website and chances are you'll find numerous mentions of materials that are eco-friendly, environmentally-safe or types of green. These phrases are often used as a marketing tactic and can often be misleading.
There are a few factors to consider when deciding how eco-friendly a siding material really is.
For example, is the material free of off-gassing or chemical leaching? Some building materials that have been coated or infused with chemical substances may release gas into the environment after becoming exposed to the elements.
Does the material require a lot of maintenance including the use of chemical treatments? Wood siding for example, will need surface treatments reapplied every few years for the rest of its lifespan in order to keep the wood protected; however, these treatments can be heavily chemical-based and even toxic.
Can the material be safely disposed of or recycled? Materials that can be recycled or otherwise reused are kinder to the environment as they eliminate waste. Materials requiring regular surface treatments are often not recyclable.
When considering all of these factors, there is one material that comes out on top: steel.
The days of steel siding only being appropriate for large commercial buildings and warehouses are long over. Today, steel siding is often used on residential homes as it’s an attractive option available in numerous colors and finishes.
Plus, it’s one of the most durable, long-lasting and easy to care for siding materials. Combine beauty and durability with steel’s eco-friendliness and you have a true winner. After all, there are very few siding materials as eco-friendly as steel, for a number of reasons.
The manufacturing process of steel siding has less of a negative impact compared to many building materials as steel siding is made with very few chemicals. Plus, steel siding is made with 25% recycled content. In fact, each year, more steel is recycled in the US than paper, plastic, aluminum and glass combined.
Steel siding is 100% recyclable which means any scrap or old steel siding is less likely to end up in landfills, contributing to the problem of non-biodegradable waste. Even some wood siding that has been painted, stained or sealed can contribute to landfill waste.
In terms of eco-friendliness, this is quite important as many surface treatments used on wood siding contain harsh chemicals and gases. By completely negating the need for any type of stains or sealants, you're reducing harm to the environment as well as saving yourself time and money.
Another consideration is how easy steel siding is to care for—without the use of chemicals. Steel is as close to no-maintenance as you can get. Occasional visual inspections and cleaning with your garden hose is essentially all you need to do to keep your steel-clad home looking beautiful. This eliminates the possibility of harsh chemicals leaching into the soil and plants surrounding your home.
Steel siding provides incredible protection from the elements and can be used on homes in every region. Properly maintained steel siding can last for decades and some brands, like Rollex, even offer limited lifetime warranties. The potential for 50+ years of service from your siding plays a positive role in the environment since it reduces consumption.
Rollex steel siding is the perfect choice for homeowners looking for the sustainable siding characteristics of steel combined with a wide palette of colors and finishes to choose from. Guaranteed to not crack, peel, rust or blister, Rollex steel siding can also withstand high winds of up to 155 MPH when properly installed.
Navigator Steel Siding is ideal for homeowners that desire a modern, low-gloss color palette, including darker colors such as Royal Brown or Iron Gray. Navigator steel also has a Class A fire-resistance rating.
If you're ready to go to the green side and clad your home with eco-friendly steel siding, reach out to a Rollex representative today.