Home siding beautifies the home and provides protection against the elements of nature. Protecting your home requires choosing the right siding for the area of the country where you live. Ocean, desert, humid, and freezing climates, all require specific home siding products. Additionally, some areas of the country experience tornadoes, blizzards, and dust storms and require the best siding for these conditions.
Vinyl Siding
Due to low cost and little maintenance requirements, vinyl is the most popular siding material. In addition to affordability and endurance, vinyl siding is available in an extensive variety of color choices. Home protection is also an asset of vinyl siding because it creates a strong barrier against the weather and protects against damage from snow, wind rain, and ice. Vinyl does not retain moisture, which reduces the risks of damage that can be caused by mildew and rot. Siding Replacement Atlanta knows painting becomes a thing of the past when you choose to side with vinyl. Any dirt that winds up on your siding after a storm can easily be washed away with soap and water. Advances in technology have increased the life and durability of vinyl siding, which results in an increase in your home value. It is considered a good siding for most climates, and there are new vinyl siding thicknesses available for climates with temperatures above 90 degrees, and for those that experience extreme cold. Consumer Report forecasts vinyl siding will remain the most popular choice even as other materials continue to grow in favorability.
Wood Siding
The primary benefit of wood siding is its beauty but it can be very expensive. It suffers damage in almost all climates and requires considerable maintenance to keep it in good shape and looking good. Wood, by nature, is highly susceptible to insect damage, mildew, and rot. If you live near the ocean, the salty air can damage the finish. In a warm climate, the heat of the sun will fade and dry out the surface. Seasonal temperature changes cause it to expand and contract. If you choose wood siding for its looks, be prepared to paint it regularly. In humid climates, it also needs to be cleaned and sealed. Its popularity is slipping since more durable siding options are now available.
Natural Brick And Stone
Many states quarry beautiful rock to be manufactured as siding for homes. Both stone siding and brick can be used alone or with vinyl and wood. Neither brick or stone, when used alone, will host insects, rot, or break down. It’s a good choice in most climates. In hot weather, stone and brick siding keeps the house cooler, and at the ocean, it withstands sea salt and strong winds. In shady areas of your home, moss and mildew can grow. A brisk cleaning will remove it. After a cold winter, be sure to check for cracks that may need to be repaired
Fiber Cement Siding
This new innovation in siding is a blend of sand, cement, and cellulose. The most popular fiber cement siding features the appearance of wood but can be manufactured with a variety of finishes. Its benefits include low maintenance, durability, resistance to termites, low risk of fire, no rot or warp, and infrequent repainting. Although it can go without repainting several years longer than wood siding and if it is neglected and allowed to degrade, it can be damaged by the process of freezing and thawing several times. The cost of fiber cement siding is in the same range as vinyl, making it cost-effective.
How To Choose The Best Siding
The first thing you must consider when choosing home siding is your budget. Once you have determined how much you can afford to spend, look at your environment. Compare the weather and climate conditions of your location to the advantages and limitations of your siding choices. Don’t play around the edges of the weather. If you have hot and humid weather for two or three months of the year, choose a siding that is resistant to mildew and rot. Read through the list of siding options, and select the one that will perform the best in your climate. Most siding manufacturers have a product information phone number where you can call and ask questions about a product’s performance in your location.
By doing some research, you’ll be able to pick the best siding option for your home. You’ll enjoy a beautiful home year round and enjoy knowing your siding is protecting your house and your family from the elements.
Malcolm Jones works as a builder and is always being asked for a second opinion when it comes to maintenance tasks and building work from friends, family, and neighbors. He’s now writing his top tips down!
