If you are a first time homeowner, chances are you do not know all that much about siding. If you are a first time home owner it might be worth your while to learn a little bit about it. What siding is best for your new home? What is the most popular siding?
We want to give you a quick overview of the four most popular siding materials. That way you can make an informed decision in case you need to replace the siding on your new home and have a better understanding of the siding that is already on the house.
Wood / Engineered Wood Siding
Wood is the most traditional siding material. It has been used for many years and has a certain warmth and charm to it. However, before you have it installed as a siding you should consider the amount of maintenance it requires.
Wood siding needs to be painted regularly, at least every other year in the dry Colorado climate. Otherwise, it will not age well and may get damaged. It is also susceptible to damage from water, termites, woodpeckers, mold, and rot.
If you want the beauty of wood but not the maintenance it requires, as a first time homeowner you should consider engineered wood siding. There are some wonderful alternatives to natural wood siding available, including Woodtone and LP SmartSide.
They require less maintenance and are more resistant to some of the problems that wood has. Additionally, engineered wood siding is often quite a bit cheaper than traditional cedar wood siding.
Fiber Cement Siding
Over the last few decades fiber cement siding has become more and more popular, particularly with first time homeowners. It is a great alternative that falls between wood and vinyl in regards to cost. Fiber cement has many attractive advantages, one of them the little amount of maintenance it requires.
Fiber cement siding is extremely durable, especially when it is from the leading manufacturer, James Hardie. It is resistant to pests like insects, mold, mildew, and rot. Furthermore, it is impact resistant as well as fire resistant. That is a huge advantage over most other siding materials.
James Hardie offers a huge selection of styles and textures. Additionally, you can pick from over 700 different colors. Hardie developed the ColorPlus Technology™ which makes the colors brilliant and long-lasting. It is the siding we recommend most.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl has been a very popular siding material for many years. That is largely due to its lower cost and ease of maintenance. If you are on a tighter budget or are not looking for a long-term investment, vinyl siding is a great option for your home.
This siding material is very versatile and the siding comes in many different textures, styles, and colors. Once you pick a color though it is not easily changed as vinyl siding cannot be painted. As a homeowner, that saves on the required maintenance but limits your ability to change it later.
Vinyl siding is not as durable as other siding materials. It can be damaged by hail and it might crack, warp, and fade over time. On the other hand, it does not rot and is lightweight. That makes it very attractive to some first time homeowners, especially in combination with the low price point.
Metal Siding
Even though this siding material is less common and less popular than the first three, it is still frequently used. Usually, you can choose from aluminum or steel metal siding and both have their advantages and disadvantages.
The big advantage is how little maintenance this siding requires. You can normally choose from a wide variety of styles when it comes to metal siding. It is often a good idea to add insulation under the siding before it is installed.
The main disadvantage of metal siding is that is does not stand up well to impact, such as hail. Especially aluminum siding dents easily, which is problematic if you live somewhere with frequent hail storms. Furthermore, the finish can fade and become chalky. It is generally not the most cost-effective siding.
Your Siding Expert Can Guide You
Do you still have questions about siding materials? Or do you need more guidance? Colorado Siding Repair is here for you!
We are your trusted siding guide and are happy to answer all of your siding questions and help you figure out what siding is right for your first home and your budget.
We never use high pressure sale tactics. Instead, we take the educational approach so that you have all the facts you need. Only then can you make a decision that is best for you and that you will be happy with for many years to come.
Colorado Siding Repair is proud to be a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor. Our team members are factory trained and follow all best practices and unique specifications to install these premium products. That way they will look best and last longest.
In addition to installing siding, we also install windows and insulation. To create a matching look for your whole house, we also paint the exterior of your home. That way you can have all your exterior home remodeling needs taken care of by one trusted source.
Call Colorado Siding Repair today to get a hassle-free quote. Let’s get started on making the exterior of your home look beautiful, regardless of whether you are a first time homeowner or not!
