A guide to the different siding options and how to pick which type best suits your needs.

Siding could increase the curb appeal of your home. It also protects your home from the elements. Siding can also help maintain the temperature inside your house. Options could range from the very cost-effective, expensive, to the very practical. Modern materials and manufacturing methods have given way to a number of types of siding to choose from – each with their particular properties, pros, and cons. 

Primarily, siding is installed to protect your home from the outside weather; the rain, snow, heat, and harsh winds.  Second, it gives homes a much more finished look and appealing appearance. Lastly, homes with particular sidings can offer its occupants a comfortable environment inside the home. 

In the 1900s, popular choices for siding were shingles, wood, veneer, and aluminum. But in the 1950s, with innovations in manufacturing new materials, vinyl was introduced and soon gained popularity as a favorite choice for home exterior siding. 

In the past century, houses have gone through radical changes due to the availability of materials and the development of new materials. Exterior home siding options have grown to include specialized materials specifically developed for the type of weather specific to an area. Nowadays, siding is not merely for curb appeal, but an investment worth pouring your time to consider carefully.

Let’s discuss the different types of home siding available out in the market and what they can offer:

Vinyl

Vinyl has since become the most popular option for exterior home siding due to it being very cost-effective, readily available, and reasonably easy to install and maintain. Introduced in the 1950s it gained popularity, vinyl was first considered as a cheap form of siding – made from PVC, earlier versions were easily damaged and did not last very long. It gained a bad reputation as a bad siding choice in its early inception and application. 

But recent developments in the industry have reinvigorated the vinyl market and a resurgence of interest is now taking place. Modern vinyl siding now comes in a variety of colors and could imitate textures like wood, cement, cement, etc… 

Vinyl is no longer a cheap, easily damaged home siding and has since become the most popular choice for most homes as exterior home siding.

Pros:

Durable

Affordable

Usually comes with warranties

Readily available

Easy to Maintain ( Soap and Water)

Recyclable

Cons:

• Repairs can be tedious as whole sections must be replaced
• Flammable
• Toxic when burning
• Cannot be painted
• Limited Styles and colors compared to other types of siding

Insulated

Insulated siding is a type of material or siding that not only adds outer protection for your house from the outside elements but can also keep heat from escaping and vice versa. 

First introduced in the 1990s, it is basically siding that has insulation glued to its backside. The insulating material is usually fit and shaped like the siding and is either fitted before the siding or installed as one piece. 

Praised for its energy-efficient properties, insulated siding is widely used by homes in harsher, more cold conditions. They are very effective as a solution to thermal bridging – where the exterior temperature is carried and transferred to the interior of the home due to poor insulation.  

Insulated siding acts as a barrier between the exterior and the interior of the home, keeping the temperature at consistent comfortable levels for the occupants. 

Pros:

• Makes better, straighter lines compared to other sidings
• Best for irregular walls as it can follow curves. 
• Soundproofing qualities
• Limits heat loss/gain
• Easy to maintain, wash with soap and water
• Eco-friendly, high energy efficiency

Con:

• More expensive than other options

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement siding is best known for its stability and durability. Most brands offer long warranties and once installed, fiber cement ranks high in curb appeal. 

It is made from a mixture of wood fibers, cement, and sand. Once applied, fiber cement siding can withstand harsh weather conditions for a very long period of time. Compared to wood or vinyl, this type of siding does not expand over time which adds to its stability and durability. 

A popular option as well because of customizability. Fiber cement siding can be painted over which is an added plus for homeowners especially if you want to keep your design options open. 

Pros:

• Pest proof
• Water-resistant
• Weather-resistant
• Flameproof
• Paintable
• A lot of options available
• Made from 10 – 20% recycled materials
• Virtually maintenance free other than repainting every 10-15 years.

Cons:

• Expensive
• Needs specialized installation
• A very heavy product which limits the type of structures it is applicable to. 

Engineered Wood

Made from sawdust and wood shavings, this type of siding was developed to mimic the look of true solid wood but imbued it with stronger qualities during its development and manufacturing. 

It has a longer lifespan compared to true wood and can be bought with primer already applied or finished as well. The product comes in a wide array of colors and some manufacturers even offer custom colors as an option. 

A relative newcomer in the home siding game, engineered wood siding is very durable and would only require repainting every 5-10 years. Manufacturers also offer long warranties, guaranteeing against rotting and defects.  

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Easy to install
• Can be bought primed or painted
• Eco-friendly made from wood scraps
• Pest resistant

Cons:

• Must be maintained and inspected due to high susceptibility to moisture damage
• Must be painted to weather-proof
• Must be treated before installation

Which Siding Should You Choose?

There is no one better siding than the other. Each has its unique properties. Deciding on which house siding to use depends on the type of home you have, the location, and the weather conditions of the area of your home. 

Seek advice from siding experts and contractors, discuss your options and what’s best for your home and your budget. 

Quality Discount Roofing & Construction offers the best customer experience at the best prices in Jacksonville, Florida. Providing exterior services to homes & businesses including roofing, siding, gutters & insulation with the goal to always have each customer informed of the entire process and provide nothing less than a 5-star-experience.

Learn more about siding replacement options that best suit your needs by visiting our website and get a free evaluation now.