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House siding refers to the cladding that is attached to the exterior of the walls of a house and acts as the first line of defense against the elements. It’s an integral part of a building’s overall finish. Not only does it preserve the integrity of the house, but it also adds beauty and character to it.
When remodeling your home, adding new siding can greatly boost its curb appeal, performance, and value. It also helps create a more stable interior environment, eliminating excessive heat, cold, and moisture. Masonry walls don’t require house siding, but internally framed houses definitely do.
There are many siding options for houses, and the portfolio of siding materials continues to expand. In this article, we’ll cover the top four and explain why you should go the extra mile to use them.
1. Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding closely resembles wood siding but is cheaper to install and maintain. It’s a low-maintenance option that can be bought as horizontal or vertical panels or strips with interlocking edges. The finished look can be anything from horizontal planks to shakes or shingles. Since it’s a manufactured product, you can find a variety of colors and a wide range of vinyl siding styles.
Vinyl siding has low installation costs and can last up to 50 years, depending on the product you choose. It rarely needs repainting and boasts a quick installation process. If you have old wood siding but don’t have the budget for new wood, vinyl siding will work wonders for you. A zip tool is used to apply or dismantle the strips.
If you opt for this siding type, you’ll require professional installation. Hire an experienced siding contractor who can prevent it from buckling or warping. Vinyl is susceptible to heat or fire damage. You’ll need to keep grills away from it so as not to damage the material. Vinyl siding also cracks easily in cold weather.
Unlike wood siding, regular vinyl doesn’t offer additional insulation to the house. You will need to add insulation like foam work separately.
2. Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is rising in popularity for its durability and heat or flame resistance. It gives up to 50 years of service and seldom requires maintenance. In fact, repainting is probably the only regular maintenance you will require.
Stucco siding comes in shingles, stucco panels, shakes, or beveled lap siding planks. You can also buy it as a prime coat and paint it over your choice of colored finish. It’s fairly easy to install for anyone with carpentry knowledge and tools. Such DIY projects are great for your mental health, too.
Fiber cement siding strikingly resembles natural wood grain but is resistant to damage from insects and moisture. On the downside, fiber cement siding is more costly than the majority of other siding options for houses. Proper installation takes more time and effort than vinyl siding does.
3. Wood Siding
Wood siding is one of the most versatile house siding options. It allows multiple paints, stains, and design finishes. This means you can easily change your house’s look by adding a fresh coat of paint to the siding. Wood siding can come in wood shingles, planks, boards, entire panels, or shakes to line the exterior of a house.
In the past, real wood siding was the main option when brick and stone siding was unavailable or too expensive. To date, real wood siding gives a classic finish to any home and remains a popular choice for homeowners. In fact, it’s expected to be a $3.27 million industry by 2027.
The main disadvantage of natural wood siding is its high cost of installation and routine maintenance. It requires treatment and proper maintenance every four to nine years to keep it looking good and protect it from pests like termites and moisture damage.
You’ll need to add a moisture barrier and paint regularly to boost durability and reduce water damage. Wood siding also gives you fewer years of service compared to other options like vinyl and brick.
4. Brick Siding
Brick siding requires minimal maintenance compared to the other siding options listed. It requires no repainting since the color doesn’t fade. Unlike the others, it’s fire-resistant and provides an additional layer of protection during severe windstorms.
Since real stone is a poor heat conductor, this siding keeps the home interior cool during summer and retains warmth in winter. It’s also an energy-efficient material.
Natural stone siding has noise-reduction properties, too, making it ideal for people who work at night and rest during the day. Brick homes are also great for people who live in noisy neighborhoods. They’re the ideal option for family men and women who want to leave the home as an heirloom for generations to come.
Carefully consider how you want the brick siding to fit into your home decor before purchasing. This is because it’s difficult to change the layout and design once it’s up. Brick siding is an expensive option to install and requires professional knowledge to set up or repair. Precipitation can also compromise your house’s structure.
Conclusion
This article covered exterior siding and the top four siding options for houses on the market.
To recap, vinyl siding is durable and cheap to install but is susceptible to heat damage and doesn’t offer additional insulation. Fiber cement siding is durable and seldom requires maintenance, but is more costly. Wood siding is classy and versatile but is prone to pest damage and susceptible to fire.
Meanwhile, brick siding has the longest life and the lowest maintenance requirements. It gives a beautiful rustic aesthetic to homes. However, it is the most expensive siding option on the list.
Now it’s just a matter of choosing from these popular siding choices. For this, weigh the pros and cons and consider your needs and preferences.
You’ll soon have a home with your ideal choice of siding that’s just as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing. Good luck!
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