The interior of your home is not the only thing that you have to be mindful of. You have to take good care of its exterior too. After all, it keeps you safe from external elements. To ensure the sturdiness of the exterior of your home, you need to choose the best siding. There are a variety of house sidings available, but the three most commonly used are vinyl, fiber cement, and wood. Before you choose a type, see to it that you find out about its pros and cons as well as its components.
Vinyl Siding
This type of siding is an extruded plastic made from PVC resin. It is reliable and durable. It can withstand wear and tear as well as protect your home against natural elements. It is also typically tinted. You can choose from white, charcoals, blues, greens, reds, and light shades. In general, vinyl siding is classified into vertical, horizontal, and shake/shingle panels. Vertical sidings in board and batten, beaded, cedar plank, and other styles are usually limited in range. Horizontal siding, on the other hand, comes in beaded, Dutch lap, and smooth styles. The panels are formed into triple, single, and double board profiles. Shake and shingle panels have two to three rows with about six shakes or shingles in each row. The panels are often used as accent or primary siding in gables as well as above stone or brick. Vinyl siding is affordable, easy to maintain, resistant to insect and moisture, easy to install, and does not easily fade. Then again, it tends to crack and get brittle with age or impact. Shake and shingle styles tend to cost much more than the panels. If installed incorrectly, it can cause leaks, cracking, and buckling. If you want a more natural look for your home, vinyl may also not be the right choice since it does not look like real wood.
Fiber Cement Siding
This type of siding is stylish yet affordable. It is cheaper and easier to maintain than real wood. It is also better in quality and appearance than vinyl. You can count on it to last for up to fifty years. Its appearance is also similar to that of real wood. Plus, it is resistant to rot, insects, and mold. Then again, it has to be painted after ten to fifteen years or three to ten years, depending on the climate in your area. If scratched or if the wood fiber core gets exposed, it can absorb moisture. It can also crack if not properly installed. Unlike vinyl, fiber cement is not recyclable. It can also be difficult to cut. The most popular fiber cement brand is James Hardie. Also known as HardiePlank, James Hardie siding comes in different colors. If you want a customized color, you can simply paint it.
Wood Siding
Real wood is admired by many. Redwood, cedar, fir, spruce, and pine wood are usually the favorites for siding. These woods may be finished with pigmented stain and sealer or clear sealer. Real wood is sustainable and green. If maintained properly, it can last for a lifetime. It also has excellent market value and curb appeal. However, it has to be stained or painted every three to five years. It also tends to be damaged easily by fire, moisture, and insects.
Looking for best siding contractor? Check Us Out At:
Level Pro Home Services, Inc.
920 Murphy Road, Suite C,
Stafford, TX 77477
Tel: (281) 397-2299