Good quality siding chosen carefully can add significantly not only to the external appearance of your home but also to its durability. Siding adds color to your home and helps accentuate its strongest features. There are several things you must consider, apart from the initial cost, when choosing a siding for your home.
There are numerous siding materials you can choose from. While vinyl siding has long been the number one choice among both home-owners and contractors because of its durability, affordability, and ease of installation, it is not highly aesthetic. Other materials often used for siding include wood shingles, engineered wood, pine and cedar, fiber cement, plastic, stone, aluminum, stucco, etc. Wood siding provides a premium appearance but is difficult to maintain. Brick and stone siding is highly durable but also more expensive. Understanding the pros and cons of each type of material can help you make an informed decision.
If you are considering a siding replacement, we recommend that you speak to an experienced contractor about each of the following points.
1. Energy Efficiency
Siding covers the complete exterior facade of your home and provides much-required insulation against the weather. High-quality siding that is carefully installed, can provide you with significant savings in terms of heating and cooling costs. Various types of protective coatings are also available, that can be applied to siding to enhance energy efficiency.
2. Durability
Different types of sidings have different inherent durability characteristics. For example, wood siding while aesthetically appealing has a shorter useful life and is prone to cracks, rots, and insects. Vinyl siding is generally longer lasting and more durable and hence a popular choice among homeowners.
3. Ease of Installation
Ease of installation is another important factor to consider when deciding on the type of siding since it adds to overall manpower costs. For example, fiber cement siding is versatile in terms of appearance and it can be painted to appear like wood but requires careful installation since it is a relatively heavy material.
4. Weather Conditions
Quality siding protects your home and is your first line of defense against the exterior weather conditions. Therefore, it is extremely important to consider the climatic conditions of the area you live in – high temperature, extreme rainfall, heavy snowfall, harsh sunlight, humidity, etc. Certain materials are known to withstand higher temperatures, while others provide better protection against freezing temperatures and or moist conditions. For example, fiber cement siding is also extremely durable and well suited to coastal areas that are prone to hurricanes, storms and saltwater intrusion.
5. Water resistance
Water-resistance is another major factor to look out for in a siding material. For example, while wood siding offers a great aesthetic appeal, it can get easily damaged in moist conditions. Metal siding is also prone to rust and corrosion unless maintained properly.
6. Aesthetics
Siding must be carefully selected to complement the style and other features of the home like doors, windows, roofs, etc. Sidings are available in numerous different textures, sizes, designs, and colors. It can be a tedious task to choose among the various options available.
We would love to hear your ideas and suggestions for other factors to consider when selecting a siding for your home. If you are looking for a siding repair or installation, MW Construction is one of the leading siding contractors in South Jersey and can provide you with top-class services at a reasonable price irrespective of the size of your project. To schedule a consultation for your home siding project in the South Jersey area, call us or write to us.