Avoidable house maintenance, extra energy costs, undermined curb appeal, and a receding home value are a homeowner’s nightmare. To prevent them, you should invest in the right home siding. But what is siding, and what are its types? Join us on this house tour as we look at not the houses but their sidings!
What Is Home Siding?
Home siding, also known as house siding and exterior siding, is the material that goes on a building’s outer layer to protect it against the elements. It enhances aesthetics, maximizes interior comfort, and reduces long-term repair costs.
Siding comes in different materials, profiles, and types, so you’ll need some guidance. We’ll discuss the different options. Contact Zups Construction for more information about the benefits of home siding.
What Are Your Siding Choices?
Let’s look at the main home siding choices to help you choose the best type for your home.
Brick
Typically mistaken for part of the house structure, brick siding is only a veneer crafted from fired clay and attached to your wood-frame structure. It has gained popularity over the past decades. We’ve seen homeowners lean towards it because they live on noisy streets and would rather not hear their neighbors talk!
Pros:
Bears the classic look of brick without being as costly
Requires little maintenance
Highly durable and fire-resistant
Offers noise and heat insulation
You can recycle or reuse it towards the end of its life
Cons:
Water penetrates it, so it requires a water membrane between the brick and wood structure
Expensive compared to other types
Made from a highly emissive non-renewable material
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It has remained the most popular siding type since the 1960s (although it has experienced some decline lately) thanks to its reasonable price range. When we work with clients who like complete control over the design and have a limited budget, we often turn to vinyl siding.
Pros:
Inexpensive (in terms of material and installation)
Available in many profiles, such as shingles, shakes, fish scales, horizontal and vertical panels, and lap and beaded designs
Low maintenance
Lightweight
It may come with attached insulation
Cons:
Not the best for nailing surfaces
Wood
Another common home siding type is wood, which is versatile and aesthetically pleasing. You can find it in different tree species, with Redwood and Cedar being the best! We’ve come across some natively farmed, highly sustainable wood that can last its lucky homeowners 100 years without treatment! As for the prices, they differ according to the wood type and style.
Pros:
Highly durable
It fits all house types and sizes
Versatile (with numerous styles and colors, such as bevel, shingle, shake, tongue-and-groove, and clapboard)
Cons:
Requires regular maintenance if you want to preserve its lifespan
Stone
Made of clay mixed with polymers or lightweight concrete, stone veneer siding gives you the look of the natural stone roofing type without its hefty costs. It withstands harsh weather conditions, especially slate, granite, and limestone. But install it yourself, and it might come crashing down. Just ask the frustrated Redditor who shared their failed DIY project with the community!
Pros:
Arguably the most durable material, resisting harsh weather conditions
Fire-resistant
Offers that chic, timeless look to homes
Environmentally friendly
Requires little upkeep
Cons:
Expensive
Stucco
Stucco has been around for hundreds of years (especially in the South and Southwest), and with such versatility, it isn’t going anywhere! Experts apply the sand or lime mixture over foam insulation, which creates a weather-proof seal.
Pros:
Reasonably priced
Can fit any architectural style
It cuts down energy use, thanks to its weather-proof seal
Long-lasting with the proper maintenance
Cons:
It doesn’t have the best performance in humid climates.
Metal
Metal siding is manufactured from aluminum, zinc, copper, or steel to give a home’s exterior that futuristic touch. But you need an expert for installation. When we see it done without enough visual breaks, it looks more like a pole barn or a tin shack than an industrial-style home!
Pros:
Marked by longevity, sturdiness, and resistance
It gives you a streamlined look
Steel and aluminum are 100% recyclable
It comes in numerous architectural styles
Available in affordable siding materials
Cons:
Can be dented
Fiber Cement
In the 1980s, the Australian company James Hardie Inc. mixed sand, cement or fly ash, and cellulose fiber, giving us fiber cement for the first time. If you want the aesthetic of painted wood in a more durable material, fiber cement is the way to go!
Pros:
Water, UV ray, and termite-resistant
Fireproof
It lasts longer than wood (about 50 years)
Easy to maintain
You can choose clapboards, panels, or other fiber cement styles
Cons:
Relatively expensive (but less expensive than wood siding)
It has a high environmental impact
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, we hope this guide to home siding has helped you find the right type for your home. If not, feel free to contact Zups Construction, and we’ll help you choose a siding option that performs and looks the best on your house!
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