Which Type of Siding Is Best for Your Home?
We bet you’re wondering which type of siding is best for your home. Well, what siding you choose to use on your home depends upon a lot of factors. These factors include:
- Water Resistance
- Ease of Installation
- Aesthetics
- Durability
Ultimately, you make the choice. Of course, you can have expert help in deciding what type(s) would be best for you. We, the staff at 21st Century Painting & Roofing, perform siding services . We’d be happy to help you out.
Let’s get down to it. We’re going to present some of the basic types of siding and their pros and cons. That way you can make an educated decision about the type of siding to place on your home.
Stucco
Reasonably priced, stucco has a variety of applications and a bunch of recipes for creating it. Traditional stucco is made from a cement-type of mixture that is then added to lime or sand. It can be shaped and textured and can achieve a wide variety of architectural styles. For application purposes, a wooden wall is covered with galvanized metal screening and tar paper. It is then covered with stucco. Stucco can also be used on brick or stone surfaces.
Stucco can look impressive, but it can cause moisture problems and look flat from a distance. It is durable and relatively inexpensive. Without proper barriers, moisture can penetrate and move up the stucco finish. This can cause premature peeling. You can fix it, but the problems will just reappear if you don’t take care of the underlying problem.
Stone
Among the most durable siding materials, stone is also among the most expensive. Granite, limestone and slate are a few of the types of stone that are impervious to the weather. Stone siding comes from Mother Nature so it’s a green material. It comes with everlasting advantages. It is not only expensive but difficult to install. You require a professional for this. This will increase the cost, but note that stone will last and remain attractive decades later. So you get good, long-term value for your money.
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is made from PVC. It is among the most commonly used siding in new, single-family homes (at least according to the 2010 census). Early on, vinyl was seen as a cheap alternative to other forms of siding. Early vinyl sidings were known to get warped in extreme temperatures and faded easily with exposure to the elements. Advancements in technology and manufacturing vinyl siding is now much better. Current vinyl siding has increased strength and weather resistance. It also comes in a wider variety of factory colors.
Brick
Brick siding is durable and low maintenance. Its appearance makes it popular with homeowners. Comprised of fired clay, brick siding comes in different colors, textures and sizes. It’s generally not a structural part of the house but rather a veneer that is constructed on the outside of a wood frame structure. The brick is held together by mortar, which is a mixture of lime, cement and sand, and water. Water can penetrate brick siding so make sure that you put up a water membrane between the wood and brick layers. This will protect the home. Brick is at the higher end of cost when it comes to siding, but it can last the life of the building with just an occasional washing. You can’t beat that for maintenance.
Wood
Installed over a solid surface, such as plywood, wood siding must have a moisture barrier between the two. It will also require a finishing coat be it paint or stain. Caulking takes place on the outside. Wood siding requires ongoing maintenance including painting and caulking to prevent weather damage. There are two main types of wood siding, Bevel and Shakes and Shingles.
Bevel siding is made by re-sawing a board at an angle to create two pieces that are thicker on one edge than the other. Pine, spruce, cypress and Douglas fir are favorites due to their longevity and price. Cedar and redwood avoid rot but are more expensive. Installed horizontally, the upper piece overlaps the lower.
Shakes and shingles often go together. Shakes are thicker than shingles. They are less uniform in appearance but last longer. Wood shingles are sawn for a smooth and consistent look and can be cut into an array of shapes to create visual interest. Both come from a variety of woods. The most common are Cedar and Redwood. Shakes and shingles come with a fire retardant treatment.
As you can see, each of the types of siding mentioned in this article – stucco, stone, vinyl, brick and wood have their advantages and disadvantages. Which one you decide to go with on your own home will be ultimately up to you. If you’re ready to go with the siding or you still need help deciding which is best for your home, we’re reachable at (512) 219-0342. Call us today!