Siding is an integral part of your home’s exterior. It’s part of what gives your home its style and appearance, while protecting it from the elements at the same time. Because your siding is exposed to everything Mother Nature has to throw at it, many homeowners will want to consider investing in a siding choice that not only looks good, but that will hold up to the elements as well. While there are many beautiful, durable, and low maintenance siding options available, not all will work for every home. Find the best low maintenance siding option for your exterior by learning more about the choices available to you.
For many years, vinyl siding has been considered synonymous with low maintenance care. Vinyl’s color goes straight through the product, so while it might eventually fade after some time, it does not show chips the way other materials might.
Vinyl comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, making it a low-cost option that can suit a number of tastes. Extreme weather can cause damage, however, and high summer temperatures can cause the siding to warp. In addition, while vinyl can be recycled, it might be difficult to find plants that will accept it.
Modified wood or softwood that has been treated through bio-liquids, heat, or chemicals to become harder and more durable, is an attractive option for those that want real wood siding on their homes. While it is real wood, and it is an eco-friendly product, this doesn’t make it the right option for every situation, however.
Some types of modified wood are designed to to weather and fade as the years go by, because the process makes them more vulnerable to UV light. This may be a plus for some rural or rustic homes, but for most homeowners it simply means that it’s going to require painting or staining every few years just like standard wood. Other types of modified wood can be treated to help them maintain their color, but this still has a limit to how long the color will last, although the material usually has up to a 30 year warranty. Because wood is porous, it’s also at risk for staining, insect activity, and swelling with moisture. While modified wood doesn’t rot, it will still require some degree of maintenance over the years to maintain its looks.
Aluminum siding enjoyed a brief popularity around the time that vinyl siding was first introduced, and while it fell out of favor as other materials came onto the market, it is now making a comeback. Aluminum doesn’t rot, warp, or stain and it’s also impervious to insect activity, making it an attractive option for those that dislike the issues that are inherent with wood. Aluminum also has an embossed wood grain that helps simulate the look of real wood, giving it an attractive appearance.
Like many sidings, aluminum can fade over time, developing a chalky residue, which may need to be cleaned off. However, the color does not peel or chip the way that it does on wood siding, and a fresh coat of paint can resolve most of the issues involved.
Fiber cement siding is a low maintenance option that is designed to hold up well to everyday use. This man-made material is a blend of sand, silica, cellulose fiber, and Portland cement, making it a very dense, heavy material to install on your home. Made in a mold with real wood, it has a realistic looking wood grain. Unlike real wood however, it has very visible seams that require heavy caulking to make the material watertight. Frequent inspections are also needed to help ensure that no water seeps into the seams. In addition, prolonged contact with moisture or snow may cause the siding to begin to swell or expand, which can cause warping over time. Installation must be precise to ensure that the home is watertight.
While the material is fairly low maintenance beyond the caulking, with color that lasts at least 10 years before needing to be reapplied, it also has several drawbacks. Fiber cement is extremely heavy and difficult to work with. If cut improperly, it can produce large amounts of silica-containing dust, which can be hazardous to those nearby to breathe it in. And while it comes in a range of colors and styles, the large seams and caulk can be easily seen from the curb, detracting from the home’s curb appeal.
For those that want a more natural appearance for their home, but shy away from the high maintenance of wood, stone veneer can be an attractive option. Stone is durable, rugged, and doesn’t require paint, sealers, scraping, or other maintenance.
Stone is extremely expensive, which means that most homeowners end up opting to install it over only a portion of their façade, mixing it with another material to complete the siding.
Steel siding is an alternative material that solves a number of these issues. A heavy, durable metal, steel doesn’t warp, crack, rot, or require significant maintenance. It also resists dents and doesn’t fade so your color remains truer, longer.
Steel also has less visible seams than fiber cement and vinyl siding, and doesn’t release potentially toxic dust when cut. It’s also 100% recyclable; it’s much easier to find a disposal center than it is for vinyl. In addition, steel siding floats along the walls it’s installed on, which hides imperfections within the wall’s framing. This is in contrast to materials like vinyl, that will showcase exactly where the walls may bend, which can create a wavy-looking wall. Steel siding is attractive, durable, and truly low maintenance, allowing you to enjoy your home for many carefree years.
When the time comes to choose the right siding for your home, consider not only the way that it will look, but the way that it will perform over the lifetime of your home.
It's important to choose siding that reflects your desired style and maintenance level. Of all the options offered today, only steel allows you to enjoy a virtually maintenance free façade for as long as you own your home.
Sources:
http://www.remodelingcosts.org...
http://www.improvementcenter.c...
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/i...
http://www.domanibuilders.com/...
http://www.all-about-siding.co...
http://www.unitedhomeexperts.c...
http://www.unitedhomeexperts.c...