What is the Best Siding For Your Home?

Major home improvement projects usually represent a major investment, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to siding. Therefore you want to choose the very best siding for your home, to make it look and function its best, hopefully for generations to come.

There are four materials commonly used to manufacture siding – wood, aluminum, vinyl and fiber cement. Wood, of course, is the enduring standard. It’s especially beautiful and imparts a special “presence,” especially to older and historic homes. The newest product on the market is fiber cement, and like many innovative new technologies, it represents a big leap forward.

To help you decide which is the best siding for your home, let’s take a look at how these products stack up against one another.

Attributes

• Vinyl and aluminum are often used to cover deteriorated wood siding, but they don’t achieve the same look as wood. Vinyl can crack under impact if it’s cold outside. Aluminum is durable but color can fade, chalk or run off and it’s noisier. It also dents.
• Wood is susceptible to rot, warping or splitting and insect damage.
• Fiber cement is tough, durable and “green.” It comes primed or pre-finished and is unfazed by wood’s typical problems.

Appearance

• Aluminum and vinyl come in a range of styles, textures and colors. The colors cannot be changed later on.
• Wood also comes in many styles, textures and finishes and can be painted or stained.
• Fiber cement is virtually indistinguishable from natural wood. As with wood, you can also get trim and millwork to distinctive detailing.

Upkeep

• Vinyl and aluminum cannot be painted. Cracks or dents must be repaired or replaced in sections. Pre-finished aluminum is prone to chalking, but clad aluminum can have up to a 35-year warranty.
• Wood is high-maintenance, requiring regular painting, staining and caulking.
• Fiber cement is extremely low maintenance. Warranty is commonly 50 years.

Cost

• Vinyl can be the least expensive.
• Aluminum is moderately priced, though plastic- or vinyl-clad is noticeably more expensive.
• Wood can be moderate to higher priced, depending on the variety, style and finish. T111, wood siding made from plywood, is much less expensive.
• Fiber cement ranges from moderate to high pricing.

As with all investments, the best siding for your home ultimately depends on your goals and your budget.