House siding does not only protect the home from different elements, but it can also dramatically boost the appearance of your home. To get the best results when installing, repairing or replacing siding, you should factor in weather and climate in your locality because they are factors that can negatively affect the value of the home. Durability, maintenance, energy efficiency, affordability and aesthetics are the other very important factors you should consider when choosing siding for your home. Water resistant materials will of course translate to longer life spans and reduce replacement needs so have this in mind too when choosing the perfect siding material for your home.
1. Wood
Wood siding gives you the flexibility of choosing wood grade and species for your desired finished look. Grades that are more expensive with few defects and knots will give your home that natural beauty that shows through clear stain or a stain that is semi-transparent. If you wish to paint opaque stain, then less expensive grades will be just as good. Wood siding is easy to cut and shape and installation is also easy to do. The aesthetics of wood are superior and with proper maintenance you will enjoy years of service. It is however one of the most expensive siding materials you can choose for your home and you will need to repaint or re-stain every few years.
2. Fiber-cement
This is siding made from a mix of cement and wood fibers, sand and clay. It is a material that is gaining popularity among consumers because of the rugged durability, weather resistance and low maintenance. The liquid mixture makes it easy for the siding to be molded in such a way that it resembles painted wood, masonry or stucco. This material is fire resistant, rot free and termite proof. After installation of pre-finished fiber cement you will not need to paint, but you still can paint when you feel a need to change the colors. It is resistant to thermal contraction and expansion, so it holds up caulk and paint pretty well. It is, however a heavy material and specialty tools and techniques are required for best results.
3. Vinyl
New homes are now sporting this type of siding because it is durable, tough and it also comes in a wide range of colors and styles to match individual preferences. The color permeates through and does not reveal scratches or nicks. The standards today ensure this type of siding maintains shape even in extreme temperatures, retains color and resists high winds. The major advantages of vinyl include being lightweight hence installations are speedy and the fact that it is a material that can be retrofitted over the existing siding. Vinyl also comes with little maintenance, but with standard panels you could end up having visible seams that are not very attractive. You can however choose panels that are extra-long to eliminate the seams and have a beautiful smooth finish.