There are multiple house siding options on the market because not all homes are the same. Learn more about siding options in this blog.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESIDENTIAL SIDING
Every home has a protective shell called siding. You may not hear much about it or even realize the purpose it serves other than beautifying the building, but siding products play an important role in the structure of your home. They enhance the durability and value of your house. Plus, there are so many colors and styles to choose from. Exterior siding offers two main advantages:
PROTECTION
Simply put, siding protects your home from the outdoor elements. Without siding, high winds, rainwater, and snow can wreak havoc on your building. It’s also insulated to block out dirt, pests, and insects that can invade your property and cause internal issues.
CURB APPEAL
Siding the perfect home improvement if you’re happy where you are and plan on living there forever. But it’s also the ideal renovation to increase your chances of selling the home to the right buyer. A home that looks as great on the outside as it does on the inside practically sells itself.
POPULAR SIDING MATERIALS
With all the different house siding options out there, it may be difficult to decide on the best one for your home. Here are a few tried and true siding materials that will stand the test of time.
WOOD
Be it in the form of planks, boards, shingles, or panels, wood siding is one of the most attractive house siding options. It’s versatile, so you can choose any style or color you’d like. However, wood siding isn’t ideal for covering existing siding. It also requires exterior paint or a spray-on finish.
Still, this timeless and elegant house siding option lands in the medium to high price range; be prepared to pay anywhere between $3 and $14 per square foot for wood siding installation, depending on the type of wood you’d prefer.
METAL
Metal siding, usually aluminum or steel, is one of the more low-maintenance house siding options. It comes in strips, panels, and shingles. If you live in an area with lots of moisture and humidity, metal is a great choice. Since it’s manufactured with a corrosion-resistant finish, you have less to worry about when it rains.
Unlike wood, metal siding is perfect for retrofitting over existing siding, so you won’t have to deal with the hassle of tear-off. However, a layer of fiber panels is placed underneath the planks to ensure proper insulation.
Aluminum siding and installation cost $3 to $6 per square foot and $4 to $8 for steel.
FIBER CEMENT
Fiber cement siding is made up of a mixture of wood pulp, cement, clay, and sand and offers incomparable protection. Fiber cement siding also boasts a Class A fire rating, and it’s not prone to rot or decay, which could cause dangerous mold and fungus.
Since fiber cement is a painted house siding option, your color options are virtually endless. You can also easily clean it with soap and water.
If you’re sold on the idea of fiber cement siding, budget $3 to $13 per square foot.
VINYL
Vinyl is arguably the most popular house siding option there is. Like all the others, it’s robust and comes in countless styles and colors. Vinyl is also the least expensive of them all. It usually doesn’t exceed $3 to $8 per square foot. Note that there are several levels of quality you may discuss with your contractor. Either way, you can have beautiful vinyl siding that doesn’t break the bank or require too much work.
THE DANGERS OF IMPROPER SIDING INSTALLATION
No matter which house siding option you choose, be careful not to lose sight of what’s most important: hiring legitimate contractors to do a thorough job the first time. After you’ve done your homework on the different types of house siding, look for a company you can trust. Improper siding installation can ruin your home’s foundation and make it more susceptible to water damage.
Incorrect siding installation also makes your property sustain worse storm damage and increases your monthly utility bill due to heating and cooling inefficiencies. Research exterior and siding technicians in your area and choose the ones whose work and reviews speak for themselves.
STONE CREEK’S SIDING SOLUTIONS ARE UNMATCHED
Stone Creek Roofing and Exteriors specialize in residential and commercial roofing, but we’re also your certified gutter specialists and—you guessed it—siding experts.
We want to make sure the essential features of your home are in pristine working condition. Since we believe we are the best, we only work with the best. James Hardie is a leading residential siding manufacturer for a reason. Their products are:
- Weather-resistant
- Fire-resist
- Durable
James Hardie creates the best siding for homes, and we’re proud to partner with them. Whether you’d like more traditional vinyl siding or you’re more interested in environmentally friendly siding options, give us a call. We look forward to working with you and discussing the many possibilities.
