CONTACT US AT 440-805-9497
Many things concern the siding of your home because, firstly, it improves its curb appeal; secondly, it adds to energy efficiency; and, most importantly, it protects your home from pests, the vagaries of weather, and many more.
From another perspective, since you’re now in search of siding to cover the exterior surface of your home or replacement siding, you may want to know the different materials now being offered for your home or commercial property. You likely have many choices which may include vinyl siding, wood siding, metal siding, stucco siding, and fiber cement siding.
Do you want a maintenance-free option, or is price important to you? Do you want the look of paint or stain, natural wood, or steel and aluminum?
You must understand the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative, whether you choose to put siding on with the same type of material that you already have or to upgrade to something else altogether.
We’re going to talk about the pros and cons of each material and a lot of styles, from highly durable and maintenance-free and high in price per square foot, to highly maintenance.
We’ll also explain the energy efficiency and warranty options for each unique option, starting with wood, a popular choice.
Types of Siding
Selecting the right type of siding can be one of the hardest decisions for homeowners today. Some of them include prices, different weather across different regions, energy efficiency, maintenance, and even the curb appeal of siding.
Although some types of house siding, such as natural wood siding, have been used for several centuries, other kinds are more modern; stick siding and engineered wood siding are more contemporary options. Other types, such as the metal siding, have been used for years without sagging in their respective house siding, whereas the vinyl siding and fiber cement sidings are considered low-maintenance and energy-efficient types of house siding.
Wood Siding
Wood siding is the most preferred. Be it any kind of wood, such as cedar board siding, shingles, or engineered wood, you get it all on the outside of your home.
Appearance
One of the advantages of this kind of house siding is surely its appearance. For the homeowner, natural wood and engineered wood both yield a lovely, traditional outcome. And with natural wood, the color options are endless since you can paint the exterior siding.
Energy Efficiency
Curious about energy benefits? Wood siding offers great energy efficiency thanks to its natural insulation qualities and ability to help protect your home from exterior elements.
Cost
Your expenses will be greatly affected by the kind of wood siding you choose. Among natural and engineered wood siding materials abound many different kinds abound. Installed natural wood has averaged around $5 per square foot. If you pick more expensive cedar shingles or other materials, that cost will rise; this will bring the price closer to $10 per square foot installed. Furthermore, rising is if you choose to paint the siding or apply more coatings that can make your siding fire and pest resistant. Though these finishes may raise the cost of your siding materials, they will also make it more resilient.
Durability
High durability ratings characterize Cedar shingles and other natural wood siding, but they call for frequent maintenance. Among the difficulties you can encounter when selecting wood siding are warping, insects, and sun damage. As you might have assumed, they are likewise not inherently fire resistant. Proper coatings, paint, and care will help you extend the life of your wood siding.
Maintenance
The best approach to keep your wood siding material is regular inspection, cleaning, and painting or sealing of your house exterior. Over time, beautiful wood siding is also a fantastic means to preserve your curb appeal. Wood alternatives need routine maintenance, whether you go with vertical panels (like lap siding) or other kinds of siding. Wood and cedar siding panels are simple to replace should you detect any damage early on.
Installation
Board and batten, cedar shingles, lap siding, and all other choices in the wood siding group are best installed by a professional siding contractor. A proper installation and quality product will help your house siding protect your home correctly.
Warranty
For wood siding, expect a 20- to 50-year warranty option based on the type of product you choose and the manufacturer.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is a great option that gives you the curb appeal of natural wood with long-lasting durability and protection for the exterior of your home.
Appearance
Among homeowners, engineered wood is an appealing choice that is becoming more and more popular. This siding is obviously made to look like natural wood without the negative features. Available in many different forms, including appearance, hue, and more, is this siding.
Energy Efficiency
Engineered wood siding offers excellent energy efficiency for your home and less waste than traditional wood options.
Cost
While natural wood types of siding run about $5 per square foot installed on average, this siding starts around $3 and goes up. The more expensive the engineered wood siding, the better protection and sealants you’ll likely gain for your house.
Durability
Engineered wood siding is a fantastic choice for the outside of your home because different types of siding provide different levels of toughness. The process and sealants make this siding choice quite resistant to damage, insects, warping, etc.
Maintenance
Engineered wood siding doesn’t need paint as frequently as its natural counterpart and is simple to maintain. As with any type of siding, your home exterior should undergo frequent examination and cleaning.
Installation
Your best shot for engineered wood is selecting a competent contractor. Although the quality and lifespan of your siding material are excellent, little errors like poor trimming or incorrect nails can cause needless damage and shorten its life of it.
Warranty
Most engineered siding lasts between 20 and 30 years. Check with the wide variety of quality manufacturers to get specific warranty details on your engineered options.
Fiber Cement Siding
This type of siding is made of water, cement, sand, and fibers, and it was first introduced in the 1980s. As it is made from different materials, it is sometimes called composite siding.
Appearance
Fiber cement siding is a very versatile material. There are plenty of textures, styles, and visual effects that come with it. For the vast majority of homeowners, composite siding (fiber cement) may also be painted to fit your current house style; therefore, it is a flexible material.
Energy Efficiency
While fiber cement siding provides some degree of protection, it is not the most energy-efficient option available. The thinness of the cement-sand material is part of why fiber cement house siding scores lower in this area.
Cost
Fiber cement materials that make up composite siding are less than some other siding materials, including some wood, board, and batten, and synthetic stucco. Fiber cement siding starts at $5 per square foot, like wood siding, but doesn’t go as high on the top end. So, fiber cement is a cost-effective option against some other siding options.
Durability
Fiber cement is built to withstand many weather conditions and is high on the durability scale. Fiber cement siding or composite siding is also pest and mold-resistant.
Maintenance
Fiber cement house siding is definitely a low-maintenance option. In contrast with lots of other types of siding, fiber cement is fine with a wash, so maintenance is usually cheap and easy and can be done by the homeowner.
Installation
We suggest hiring a specialist contractor with experience in the siding of fiber cement for the installation of fiber cement. The installation of composite siding has to be performed properly with good knowledge, and it is quite heavy, so the work may be physically challenging.
Warranty
Many fiber cement manufacturers offer home siding warranties for over 30 years.
Vinyl Siding
Many homeowners like vinyl siding for its cost and the great variety of colors and styles available.
Appearance
Should you have passed a home with vinyl siding, you might not even have noticed that the residence was covered with vinyl siding. This type of siding offers many alternatives that may reproduce the other kinds. One of the reasons vinyl siding is so well-known is that it is rather flexible.
Energy Efficiency
Aside from its affordable price and adaptability, vinyl siding is also energy-efficient. Many vinyl siding options include insulation that may save your energy bill 20% or more once you add it to your house.
Cost
The least expensive choice on the market, vinyl siding runs installed between $2 and $3 per square foot. For many, this enables vinyl siding to be a fairly cheap choice.
Durability
If you are thinking the vinyl siding is also resistant, then you are right. With proper upkeep, many varieties of vinyl siding can endure 60 to 100 years. Vinyl siding beats other siding alternatives since it is inexpensive yet also lasts a long time, therefore contributing in part to its great cost-benefit.
Maintenance
For house owners, vinyl siding demands little maintenance. For vinyl siding, water and soap are the finest things to maintain its cleanliness. Vinyl siding is not a good fit for high pressure or power washing since it could damage the vinyl and let water behind the siding. Eventually, this might cause mold and other issues; hence, adhere to instructions exactly.
Installation
Even though homeowners could put vinyl siding on themselves, we advise you to give your vinyl siding to a professional. As already said, water getting into your house is worse than nothing. If installed properly, your vinyl siding should remove issues now and later.
Warranty
Though some vinyl products provide a limited lifespan choice—that is, your materials might be insured for the future—vinyl siding is usually guaranteed for 50 years or more.
CONTACT US AT 440-805-9497
Metal Siding
Among the unusual varieties of siding is metal siding. For certain homeowners, this steel or aluminum material gives a distinctive appearance.
Appearance
A flexible material that usually gives a modern appearance for commercial building owners or residential homeowners is metal siding. Vertical siding panels, horizontal siding, and a rustic option that may be layered with any other siding choices let buyers choose.
Energy Efficiency
Metal siding can also be energy-efficient. More energy efficient than other types of siding, such as fiber cement siding or wood siding, it mirrors the reflected rays of the sun. This can lead to an energy-efficient, cooler summer home.
Cost
The cost of metal siding is similar to other kinds of siding, and both aluminum and steel can cost under $10 a square foot.
Durability
Metal siding is extremely durable. Thanks to galvanized steel, this siding can resist damage from weather, dings, dents, and more. The one downside is the possibility of rust. This means if you live near the ocean, where a salty spray is expected, this siding may not be the best choice.
Maintenance
Both steel siding and aluminum siding require regular washing and the occasional paint job. When painted and washed regularly, both types of siding metals can last more than 40 years.
Installation
As you might imagine, metal siding is best done by a professional. The metal material is typically installed only after a layer of sheathing or board has been added to your house. This board is added to ensure an even surface and professional final appearance.
Warranty
Options for metal siding are durable, both aluminum siding and steel siding, with life spans estimated at 50 years. Warranties for siding made of metal typically have a starting point of 35 years or upwards.
Brick or Stone Imitation Siding
Brick and stone imitation siding are both durable options that come in multiple styles and color options. They are designed to look like their equivalents but with a few distinct differences.
Appearance
Many types of siding, including stone veneer and brick style, are distinct in appearance. But along with their look, they come with a higher price tag and, often, the extra weight that some houses can’t support. As an alternative, brick imitation and stone veneer deliver the appearance without those factors. While different types of siding, like stucco and vinyl, can be painted, typically, brick or stone veneer siding comes in the style you want and is ready to be installed upon delivery.
Energy Efficiency
When thinking about the pros and cons of brick and veneer choices, energy efficiency does not make the list of pros. It comes in lower than almost all other alternatives, such as cedar shingles, stucco, metal, and vinyl.
Cost
When evaluating siding options, money is occasionally a consideration; hence, stone and brick veneer are a more inexpensive solution than the price of natural alternatives. Prices can vary according to the region, but if you are considering this design, you may pay around $10 to $15 per square foot finished.
Durability
As covered above, the natural options in this category can last more than 100 years, putting them in the long-lasting category against many other types of siding. But the veneer options aren’t too far behind and are surprisingly durable. Estimates put these products at around 50+ years, making their life span a pro worth considering.
Maintenance
A good cleaning is one of the best things you can do for these types of siding. Take caution when applying pressure or harsh chemicals to, as flexibilities do not exist like stucco siding. You’ll need to reseal it regularly, because that’s the only protection they have to offer. Any expansion or movement in the foundation closely equals cracking in this rigid system. Inspect your home routinely to catch concerns early.
Installation
Veneer options are best done by a professional, especially if you want to make sure that they are durable for many years to come. Like stucco, proper expansion joints, moisture protection, and more are important for this stiff material. Use an expert contractor to get the most out of your siding and get the full life expectancy.
Warranty
Warranties for these types of siding vary, so contact a local contractor to get the most up-to-date details for these siding materials.
Glass Exterior
One great choice for your house is a glass façade, which offers several advantages, not least among them unrestricted views and sunlight—none of which you would receive with conventional vinyl, cedar, or other siding options.
Appearance
Among homeowners, glass exteriors are becoming more and more popular; there are several alternatives to think about. Looking at installing a glass exterior on your house calls for a few different elements to take into account than with more conventional siding choices. For example, popular siding choices are often layered onto the existing subframe. With a glass exterior, additional adjustments are made since the glass is replacing any existing frame. There are many unique options with glass, including large floor-to-ceiling windows, full-door panels, sliding glass panels, and more. Some homes may be able to accommodate standard options, while others may necessitate custom designs and sizes.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing a glass exterior for your home, some options provide some insulation but offer a bigger benefit from reduced energy costs, thanks to the light coming in regularly.
Cost
As you may have guessed, a glass exterior can be costly. In addition to the price of material and installation, other professionals, like an architect, may be necessary since these exterior walls are often load-bearing. Depending on quality and customization, panels may run as high as $60 a square foot.
Durability
The durability of a glass exterior is supported by other elements, including the framing. Before making any investment in a glass exterior for your home, talk with a qualified expert about the options for your home and their specific cost, durability, and maintenance.
Maintenance
While glass can easily be washed and cleaned, large sections may be best handled by the pros to ensure a streak-free finish. Keep in mind that, unlike traditional siding, you’ll also have to clean your glass exterior from the inside to keep the view clear. Plan to hire someone to seal your glass annually as well.
Installation
A glass exterior is a job for a professional contractor. This exterior siding option can have implications on your home’s structure, so invest in a quality team that has experience in glass installation.
Warranty
Warranty options for a glass exterior vary by manufacturer and the type of glass you choose. Check with your contractor to understand what’s best and what will give you the longest life span for your investment.
House Siding Cost: Which Is the Most Affordable?
Now that we’ve covered the different types of siding, like cedar shingles, vinyl, and more, it’s time for a review of the pros and cons, starting with the price.
If the price is of utmost importance, we suggest starting with vinyl. For the outside of your house, this sturdy substance is a wonderful choice that bypasses the high-maintenance problems of other choices.
Wood siding, like cedar shingles, metal, and fiber cement, comes next.
Among the several kinds of siding, count brick and stone to be the most costly option for your home. Although these are among the strongest and most long-lasting options for your house, their high expense may not be sensible for every homeowner.
Best Siding for Your House: Which Is Most Cost-Efficient?
Think about both the initial expenses and the projected lifespan of the siding you select to help you decide which choice is the most effective for your house.
Although more expensive, a material such as brick has one of the longest life spans. It is also wise to assess how long you could stay in your house following any installation.
Working with a seasoned builder can help you choose what fits your budget and home best.
Explore Your Options With Your Local Contractor
We have looked at several siding choices for your house, including vinyl, engineered wood, cedar shingles, composite, and much more. Each of these items has a range of styles and a pros and cons list. Even with all we’ve gone over, knowing what to pick from the several sorts of siding might be difficult. We advise getting in touch with a reputable nearby contractor to visit your house or company before making any siding purchase, and examine your property.
Freeman Exteriors provides a complimentary, no-obligation inspection to guarantee you get the finest information about your existing home siding, any problems, and advice on the best types of siding for your house. Choose a siding not just to see whether it is resilient or requires a lot of work. Investing in siding will increase the curb appeal and value of your house for years to come if you have the appropriate contractor on your side.
Freeman Exteriors is honored to have a crew of reliable builders knowledgeable about every kind of material and project scope.
For dependable and expert siding contractors, Freeman Exteriors is available to you. Call us now to find out more about how we might help you in Mayfield, Chardon, Mentor, Cleveland, and Bainbridge, OH.
