Siding exists primarily to protect your home and its foundation. It keeps the wind and rain outside, and it also provides some extra insulation against the heat and cold. Of course, the best siding also looks attractive and improves your home’s curb appeal. But what common types of siding are the best? It depends on your home and your preferences.
Aluminum, vinyl, and cedar siding all work well in the Carolinas. Keep reading for a closer look at each of these siding options, their features, and their advantages.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding is a classic choice that looks appealing on homes of many architectural styles. Siding companies make both vertical and horizontal aluminum siding, so you can choose the style which best suits your home. You can also choose between narrow and wider siding options.
Since aluminum is a relatively soft metal, it is important to look for thicker aluminum siding. Standard, 44-gauge siding works well, but 53-gauge siding is even stronger. Regardless of its thickness, aluminum siding is impervious to rot and insect damage. While it may eventually corrode with exposure to water, this process happens very slowly. Aluminum siding does not rust, which makes it suitable for coastal areas with salty air. It’s also as close to fireproof as you can get!
Aluminum also fares well in cold temperatures. It does not become brittle or warp when temperatures or humidity levels change. When your siding does need to be replaced, you can recycle the old aluminum siding.
One small downside to aluminum siding is that it dents easily. You’ll also need to paint aluminum siding periodically, especially if you choose a dark color. Darker aluminum siding tends to fade over time due to sun exposure.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding comes in all sorts of different widths and patterns. You can find solid-colored vinyl, wood-grain vinyl, and even vinyl siding which looks like cedar shakes. All vinyl siding is low-maintenance, but vertical vinyl siding requires even less maintenance than usual. Dirt tends to run down the siding when it rains, which means you don’t need to wash your siding very often at all.
Like aluminum siding, vinyl siding is impervious to rot and insect damage, which is a real advantage in areas where termites are common. Vinyl sheds water well, so it will keep your home dry even during those long, rainy spring months.
One minor downfall of vinyl is its tendency to become more brittle over time, especially when exposed to cold temperatures. Luckily, if a piece of your vinyl siding does crack or break, it is easy to repair. Your siding repair professional can use a special tool to unhook the piece of siding from the surrounding panels. They’ll then pop a new one into place.
You can’t paint vinyl siding, but luckily, good-quality vinyl siding is very colorfast. In other words, it does not fade easily as the color is incorporated into the vinyl itself instead of simply being painted onto the surface.
Cedar Siding
At first, making siding out of wood might seem like a bad idea. But it can actually be a very good idea as long as you use the right wood. Cedar is a bit of an anomaly in the world of wood. Insects, such as termites and carpenter ants, don’t like cedar siding. Cedar is also far less prone to rot than other types of wood. Both of these attributes are due to the natural oils in cedar, which insects, fungi, and bacteria all find repelling.
Cedar siding can give a home a more rustic, natural look. It’s often used on cottages and traditional farmhouses in North Carolina. Cedar siding is often left natural, but you can paint it if you prefer a more colorful look.
Some people choose cedar siding for its sustainable benefits. It’s entirely biodegradable and won’t release pollution when you eventually dispose of it. Cedar is also a good insulator. It can help lower your heating and cooling bills, which is good for your wallet and the planet.
Cedar siding does require more maintenance than vinyl or aluminum siding. As it ages, you will need to seal or stain it to prevent it from warping and distorting. Shakes which become warped will need to be replaced. Cedar is also less fire-resistant than other siding materials, although you can treat the siding with fire retardant to improve its resistance to flames.
Choosing From The Common Types Of Siding
If you’re in the market for new siding, we advise you to consider each of the three options above. Don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Quantum Roofing. We are well acquainted with the climate in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and we can help you select the best type of siding to suit your needs.