What's the difference in siding?

As we approach a new year, now is a great time to consider giving your home a fresh new look! There are a number of ways you can go about this, but one option is to purchase new siding for your home! New siding can give your home the facelift you want with less hassle and a longer service life than many other options for your home’s exterior. There’s a lot to choose from though, and as your experts in exterior cleaning for your home or business, we thought we’d cover some of your options to help you decide! We should note, we’re covering some general information here.(Please note: Exact specifications may differ depending on the specific model of siding you choose and who installs it.)

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is by far the most popular siding choice on the market today. It first became popular in the 1950’s, as booming growth in the suburbs drove an expanding market in home construction. Vinyl siding is an extremely affordable choice, which made it especially popular for builders who were constructing new housing developments and could purchase the product in bulk. While it originally had a flat boring look, over the years, vinyl siding has grown to be a major competitor in the industry, offering a wide array of colors and textures, meaning that you could achieve a classic look of something like wood siding for a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, vinyl siding is also far less durable than other options, and has a shorter service life. This means that you may want to consider how long you’re planning on owning your property when deciding on vinyl siding, as a more expensive but also longer lasting siding may actually be the more prudent option. 

Metal/Aluminum

Predating vinyl siding is metal siding, which originally became popular as a more durable option over wood siding. While steel siding was the original option, aluminum siding has become the far more popular choice due to its lighter weight and lower price. Both are more durable than wood or vinyl siding, with steel being the most durable choice. Metal siding can come in a variety of styles, often mimicking wood in appearance, though some homeowners still feel it has a more “industrial” feel than they’d prefer. While it is the most low maintenance option, metal siding does require some care. It will usually come with some kind of coating to help protect it from water damage, if this coating is scratched, the metal can begin to rust and corrode. Metal siding can be repainted to give a different look every few years, offering some flexibility over vinyl. 

Wood

Of course, wood is the classic choice for any home or business siding. The original form of siding, wood still remains a strong choice for any home or business. It comes in a variety of fashionable styles, from T1-11, which is constructed using modified plywood to more refined options such as cedar wood. In recent years, wood has become increasingly popular as a more environmentally friendly option, since sustainably sourced wood has less pollution byproduct in its production than vinyl or metal siding. Wood does require more ongoing maintenance than other types of siding, needing fresh coats of stain and sealant to prevent damage from water and insects, but it’s also easier to repair. Where metal or vinyl siding may require entire panels to be replaced if damaged, wood can be easily patched. Finally, while not as durable as metal siding, wood is more durable than vinyl. 

There are of course a variety of other options available, (read our blog on fiber cement siding for example) these are the most common types you’ll find. No matter what option you choose though, it’s still important to get pressure washing services from the Kings of Clean to prevent mildew and algae growth and keep your home looking its absolute best! Contact us to schedule a cleaning today!