The siding chosen for a home is usually the first thing people notice. The color, the style, how it fits with the overall design of the house are all judgement points people make. A siding with great eye appeal will add to the market value of a home. Homeowners and builders need to consider more factors than just the aesthetic appeal. How long will it last? How much will it cost? How easy is it to install? How much care will it need?
The main product choices of siding today are wood, vinyl, and metal. Metal siding has been in existence for decades, but the metal sidings of today are more aesthetically pleasing and have more durable coatings. It also comes in several materials and installation directions. Here we discuss the factors you might consider when choosing metal siding.
The natural look of wood siding is a plus for many searching to buy a home. Wood siding can be easily installed and painted or stained to fit the homeowner's liking. However, because it’s a natural element, it is appealing to insects like bees and termites which can be very damaging. Wood siding also needs to be repainted or sanded and re-stained every few years to maintain its look and weather protection. So, wood siding can take a lot of maintenance.
Vinyl siding is very affordable and has been popular since the 1970’s for its affordability and color options. Today’s vinyl siding also has believable wood grain patterns. No extra expense or time has to be spent on coatings. It can be easily cut and installed. However, over time, vinyl siding can start to sag. It is very susceptible to sunlight and weather changes, fading in sunlight and expanding and contracting as the weather warms and cools. It can be dented or broken if hit, relatively easily cut, and becomes brittle with age and cold weather.
Metal siding in the past has been associated with mobile homes, out buildings, and industrial buildings. But the metal siding of today is made to add to the attractiveness of homes. With quality wood look grain patterns, metal siding today can really make a home stand out in the neighborhood. Metal siding is more durable than its wood and vinyl counterparts, lasting up to 40+ years with light maintenance. It comes in a variety of colors and pleasing designs to suit different tastes and home designs. Modern metal siding is competitively priced to wood and vinyl.
Aluminum siding is lightweight and less expensive than steel siding. It is tougher than vinyl, but less durable than steel. It can be easily dented or scratched. It also does not hold its color coating well. The coating tends to fade and become chalky.
Steel siding is thicker than aluminum, making it somewhat heavier. But it is also tougher and more durable. It holds up well in high wind and heavy snow and hail regions. Steel siding will maintain its color coating much better than aluminum siding.
Some may prefer the traditional appearance of horizontal siding. However, horizontal siding does tend to be harder to clean than vertical siding and provides more possible points of entry for water leakage. Vertical metal siding will give your home a unique and unconventional look. It comes in panels that can be easily and quickly installed. A power washer can be used for cleaning without the possibility of water leakage.
Vertical metal siding can be easily applied to the outside of a home. The SCRAIL® RoofLoc® system developed by the BECK Group makes the installation quick and efficient. By reducing the installation time, the SCRAIL® RoofLoc® system reduces the installation cost. Watch our video below to see how well it works.