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Taking on a major home improvement project, such as remodeling your home’s exterior, can be a thrilling experience. While the interior is where you live, the exterior’s job is to make an impression on viewers while also protecting the walls from moisture and insulating your home.
With so many material options to choose from, this is a great time to think about how you want your house to look from the outside. Exterior features are a wonderful place to start if you want to repair or update the exterior of your home. It is a natural area to improve to provide a better look and value.
While siding is a large project, with the right information, you can choose siding that fits your budget, style, home, and neighborhood. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about choosing the best siding for your home.
Wood
Wood is typically the first material that comes to mind when thinking about siding. Is it, however, the best option for your home? Wood has a classic, rich appearance, which is why it is so popular. However, because wood is a diverse material derived from many different tree species, you’ll need to consider quality when calculating the cost of your siding project.
The grade of wood you select is determined by how you intend to finish the exterior. To emphasize the wood grain, for example, you’ll need to use a costly, high-quality grade of wood, such as red cedar, and implement a transparent or semi-transparent sealer or stain.
Wood is an extremely sustainable material, particularly when sourced ethically from a managed forest. It also degrades quickly in a landfill or compost pile. Unfortunately, this rapid decomposition is where wood falls short in terms of durability. Wood’s durability is entirely dependent on proper care, which includes staining, painting, caulking, and other procedures. If you consider wood siding, be ready to defend yourself against critters because it is highly susceptible to insect and rodent activity.
Wood is the most labor-intensive siding material available. The initial cost of wood isn’t the only price you’ll have to pay. To ensure that your wood siding lasts, anticipate to re-apply clear finishes every two years or paints every five years.
Engineered Wood
If you like the classic look of wood siding but don’t want to deal with the upkeep, engineered wood siding is the way to go. Engineered wood siding, also known as composite siding, is made from scrap wood and sawdust that has been compressed and bonded with exterior-grade resins. It’s a durable, less expensive, and environmentally friendly alternative to real wood siding.
Engineered wood comes in a variety of traditional wood siding styles and colors. It is often primed or painted after being treated with chemicals to keep insects and fungi at bay.
Newer versions are extremely durable, withstanding wind, fire, extreme temperatures, and moisture. Although the resin surface does not chip or peel easily, it can fade and crack over time. It will need to be repainted every 5 to 10 years. Engineered wood siding that is well-maintained can protect your home for 20 to 50 years. Adobe stucco engineered siding can be a great engineered wood siding option for you. We’ll learn more about it in the next paragraph.
Stucco
Cement is mixed with sand or lime to make stucco. This alternative is cost-effective, can be tailored to any style of home, and is easily DIYed. Stucco can be applied directly to brick or stone, as well as any other surface, using a metal screen and tar paper. Stucco siding is also simple to install, fire-resistant, and resistant to rot, mildew, and mold. It’s a great choice for modern and southwestern-style homes because it draws more attention to the architectural features.
In the early twentieth century, cement stucco was used as an adobe surface coating for the revival styles of Southwest adobe architecture in the United States. This material has gained popularity due to its low maintenance requirements when applied over fired or stabilized adobe brick and its ease of painting. If you live in an area where genuine adobe simply does not work, adobe stucco engineered siding, a type of engineered wood siding, can provide the aesthetic without any of the headaches.
Vinyl Siding: Excellent Value for Money
Vinyl siding is popular for good reason: It’s durable, long-lasting, inexpensive, and simple to install. You can now choose from a wide range of siding styles and colors, including products that look like wood-grain lap siding, wood shingles, and even stone. Dings and scratches are hidden since the color is part of the material. This siding requires only routine cleaning with a brush and hose.
Vinyl siding can be installed on freshly constructed walls as well as over most types of existing siding. If you require additional insulation, insulated vinyl siding has a backing of solid rigid foam insulation that fills the voids behind the stepped profile of the siding.
It increases the insulation value from R-2 to R-6 while also making the siding more impact resistant. Vinyl siding is simple to install and has a low learning curve for do-it-yourselfers. However, for do-it-yourselfers who take on this installation, it’s critical to understand the transitional elements that are part of the siding system, such as J-channel installed around exterior trim.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding, which is primarily available in clapboard style, provides the same benefits as vinyl siding but has one additional advantage: It can be painted. Aluminum siding has some significant drawbacks.
To begin with, your style options are limited, especially when compared to the variety found in vinyl siding. Furthermore, aluminum does not have the same tensile strength as vinyl and can dent from hard impacts. However, if you want a low-maintenance siding that can be painted after a certain time, this option is worth considering.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is becoming increasingly popular, and it is the best project to increase the value of your home. It is made of clay, cement, sand, cellulose (wood pulp) and can be molded to look like clapboard, stucco, masonry, shingles, or horizontal lap siding. It can be used on almost any style of home.
Fiber cement is extremely durable and does not expand or contract in response to temperature changes. Manufacturer warranties can last up to 50 years, with finish warranties lasting 15 years. It requires little upkeep and can be painted any color you want. What are the drawbacks?
Fiber cement is a new material that is difficult to install. Finding a contractor with the necessary experience and tools may be difficult. For a retrofit, you’ll also need to completely remove the old siding, which raises the cost.
Brick Siding
Brick is extremely long-lasting, beautiful, and low-maintenance. Brick, like stone, is a more expensive siding option that must be installed by a professional. However, once installed, maintenance is minimal and only requires the occasional washing.
Brick siding is a fairly dependable siding option, but due to its organic construction, it is highly susceptible to water damage if not properly sealed, which can compromise the structural integrity of your home’s walls. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance siding option, brick isn’t the best option.
Last Words
Purchasing new exterior siding for your residence is not only intriguing but is also a long-term investment. It’s a great chance to refresh to a similar style or to change up what you presently have. Hiring siding contractors for your new siding can be overwhelming because there are so many different materials and styles to choose from. Remember to seek experienced advice from a handyman to ensure a stress-free home exterior makeover.