These home improvements and renovations can improve the efficiency and curb appeal of your house through different types of siding. Different siding materials have come and gone over the years, but a handful of standards remain. For example, no one uses asbestos siding anymore, and fiberglass and hardboard composite siding has been largely replaced by vinyl and a new standard, fiber cement.
Here’s a look at the features and maintenance considerations of these types of siding materials, as well as the timeless wood and metal options.
Wood siding
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Few would agree that wood siding is one of the most attractive options for home siding. Common types of wood siding include clapboards, boards or panels, and shingles. Carriage wood siding is one of the oldest types of siding and you can see its beauty in many historic homes. The main disadvantages of wood siding are the high cost and relatively high maintenance needs.
Aesthetics
Wood siding comes in a wide variety of styles, textures and finishes. Beveled siding is horizontal and has overlapping joints.
Board siding also comes in a plywood option, which is simply exterior plywood with different face treatments and groove patterns to mimic a traditional board and batten design.
Characteristics of the siding
Wood siding is fairly easy to repair, but difficult to install over existing siding. Wood requires an exterior finish, such as paint.
It can be damaged by exposure to the sun, rot and insects; subject to distortion and separation.
Maintenance
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Painted finishes are generally higher maintenance and require good preparation for exterior house painting. Wood siding is prone to paint problems due to moisture if the home is not well ventilated.
Metal siding: aluminum and steel – price
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From the high maintenance needs associated with wood siding came the metal siding alternative. Aluminum siding was the first to answer this and over the years it has become a very low maintenance model and a popular choice of siding for new homes. In recent years, the availability of cheap steel overseas has led to the emergence of steel siding. But in 2022, the price of iron rose sharply, and as it is supposed, there will be no downward trend in 2023, so the choice may not be the best from a budget point of view.
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Horizontal aluminum and steel siding is available in horizontal strips similar to wood siding that include a mounting flange at the top for nailing and a blocking edge at the bottom for weather sealing. Galvanized roofs are also sometimes used for siding on modern style homes.
Aesthetics
Metal siding comes in a wide range of styles, including horizontal and vertical strips and panels, as well as shingles. From a distance, it is difficult to distinguish metal cladding from wood.
This siding usually includes a factory-applied coating for maximum corrosion resistance. The panels are usually galvanized to protect against corrosion. This is the case with most types of siding.
Characteristics
Metal is commonly used as “retrofit” siding and is sometimes applied directly over wood siding when the desire for low maintenance outweighs aesthetics or when the wood siding is severely damaged.
Metal is a durable material, but pre-finished painted finishes have been known to fade and “bleed” on brick walls under siding.
Metal is now available with some special plastic or vinyl finishes for added resistance to fading and weathering.
Note: When this type of siding is retrofitted to existing buildings, a layer of fiberboard is usually placed under the boards. This will add insulation to the walls.
Maintenance
Steel and aluminum are low maintenance siding materials. Plastic or aluminum-clad siding comes with a 35-year warranty. Standard pre-painted aluminum siding can be prone to wear. Denting is a common problem with aluminum or steel siding.
Vinyl siding
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In types of siding, the trend toward inexpensive, low-maintenance siding continues, the next evolution after aluminum and steel siding was the advent of vinyl siding. Like aluminum, vinyl siding comes in strips with locking edges. A special tool called a zip tool is used to join and separate siding strips.
Aesthetics
Vinyl comes in a number of styles, including horizontal and vertical panels and a range of colors. Vinyl siding also comes in a variety of textures.
Characteristics
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Often used as a retrofit siding, vinylut is often applied over old wood siding. Vinyl can be damaged by cold weather if it is subjected to impact. Proper installation is critical or the siding will warp or come unstuck.
Watch an the vinyl siding installation video.
Note: When this type of siding is retrofitted to existing buildings, a layer of fiberboard is usually placed under the boards as well. This will add extra insulation to the walls.
Support
Vinyl is a very easy to maintain siding material – it never needs to be painted as the color is solid.
If cracked, the side section must be repaired or replaced.
Limited warranties of up to 50 years are available for higher quality products.
Fiber cement siding
Fiber cement siding is the latest in siding technology. It is durable, very low maintenance and made from recycled materials Fiber cement siding is laid and installed just like wood siding.
Aesthetics
Fiber cement comes closest to emulating natural wood and is virtually indistinguishable from some wood siding products.
Characteristics
Fiber cement is primed or pre-prepared. Available in beveled boards.
Maintenance
- Fiber cement is extremely durable.
- The material does not rot and is not damaged by insects.
- Fiber cement is practically maintenance-free.
- Warranties of 50 years are routine from major manufacturers, and even longer lives are common.
Originally introduced as an alternative to aluminum, vinyl siding is now one of the most popular home cladding materials. It’s more durable and attractive than ever and remains one of the most affordable, low-maintenance siding options.
The price of PVC siding varies on average from $15,000 , but it can cost less, depending on the size of your home and the chosen style.
