It’s a good idea to research whether you should undertake a do-it-yourself (DIY) project of replacing the siding on your home. Not only can mistakes be costly, but the time involved in a project can be overwhelming. In most cases, it is best to hire a professional siding contractor to ensure that you get what you pay for. Below are a few things to consider before getting started:
Installation Cost. You can purchase vinyl, fiber cement, or composite siding for your house at a variety of prices, so it is likely that you will be able to find an installation cost that works for you. Vinyl comes in the most expensive range of prices, but it has a long lifespan and is very durable.
Durability. If you live in an area with extreme weather patterns like Chicago or Florida, then vinyl may be out of the question. If your siding gets a lot of exposure to water, then fiber cement or stucco siding could be a better choice. For southern states or those located near bodies of salt water like Lake Huron, stucco siding is the better option since salt water will not harm it. In the end, you may have to choose between vinyl and stucco because you live in an area where the climate is more variable.
Durability. As mentioned above, one big thing to look at is the durability of the siding. You need to ask yourself if the siding will last as long as the house. You also need to determine if it is heavy enough to withstand the elements like wind and rain. Vinyl siding is the least durable of all the siding types.
Minuses. While there are definitely some minuses to vinyl siding, its low maintenance levels make it an excellent choice for a house. It does require regular cleaning but because it is low maintenance, you will not have to invest in replacing broken shingles very often.
Style Options. Vinyl siding and other siding styles can be expensive to install. Fiber cement and stucco siding installation cost less but are much more difficult to install. If you’re not very handy, you might opt for the complexity of style options because it will add value to your home.
Cleaning and Maintenance. Most homeowners like vinyl siding because it is low maintenance. You don’t have to worry about scraping off dirt or sanding off the paint, so there’s nothing to clean. You also won’t have to worry about repainting often or having to deal with mold and mildew because vinyl siding is resistant to moisture.
Homeowners like it because it is energy efficient and durable. Since vinyl siding is mostly made out of plastic composites, it is much more resistant to heat, cold, and even fire. Unlike wood siding, when wood rotates, vinyl doesn’t. With a little bit of maintenance, brick and stone can look just as nice as vinyl. The key is to find the look that works for you.
Easy Maintenance. Unlike wood siding, aluminum siding doesn’t need to be painted often. You can also avoid having to pay for staining or applying a coating of paint. With a bit of hard scrubbing and some Luke warm soapy water, you can wash the aluminum siding without any damage and you won’t have to worry about rust or rotting.
More Affordable. Although vinyl is more affordable than genuine wood siding, it is still cheaper than steel siding. That’s because real wood needs to be stained or painted every few years to vinyl siding only needs a coat of paint over about ten years.
Less Maintenance. Even though vinyl siding is more expensive, it does not require a great deal of maintenance to keep it looking good. It won’t need painting, staining repairs. If it were to need repair, it would have to be replaced. With the exception of cement moisture problems, which would require professional assistance, most homeowners can get by with a quick patch job or two.
Pros: More Durable, Eco-Friendly, Affordable, and More Economical. As mentioned above, there are some cons associated with this type of siding. However, most pros outweigh the cons when it comes to this type of siding. For instance, faux stone siding has been found to crack more easily than genuine stone. However, if you find that your home has had heavy storms or has fallen victim to extreme temperature fluctuations, the faux stone may be the better option for you and your family.