You’ve decided to re-do your home’s siding. Congratulations! Now comes the hard part, deciding which variety of siding material to use.
Vermont Construction Company offers wood, vinyl, engineered wood, and fiber cement siding options, and choosing the right siding for your home is essential. Each home has its own unique attributes that make it better suited to one type or another. Variables can include weather, wildlife, and even the ground your home is built on. This blog will cover how to choose which type of siding is best for your home.
Pros and Cons of Wood Siding
Wood siding is a classic choice. It provides natural insulation, meaning you would need to spend less on heating and cooling costs, and it is a great sustainable option. This material also has a great aesthetic appeal, whether you are going for a classic design or a more modern look. However, one negative to wood siding is that it can be susceptible to moisture and insects. Many types of wood easily absorb moisture, so the stain and seal must be diligently maintained.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding allows for more creativity in aesthetics. The material can be made in a variety of styles and colors, and is a great option for someone who is searching for a specific look for their home. Vinyl is generally low maintenance and cost effective as well. However, damage to a single panel can be difficult to repair since each panel is connected.
Pros and Cons of Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood provides a combination of the durability of vinyl and the eco-friendly aspect of natural wood siding. This choice is generally low maintenance and has a uniform appearance that can be very aesthetically pleasing. A negative aspect is the higher up front cost. Due to engineered wood’s sustainability and durability, it is often more expensive initially.
Pros and Cons of Fiber Cement Siding
Lastly, fiber cement is very durable and comes in a variety of styles. Your house could look exactly how you imagined it and be fire-resistant! This durability does not come without its downsides however. Fiber cement is heavy, contributing to its high cost and lower sustainability levels. Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Any of these options could be the right choice for you. Now that you know the positives and negatives of each, you should consider the question: what actually matters to you? How much do you value environmental, economic, and aesthetic factors? Are you okay with making repairs? While some materials are less expensive up front, they may require more maintenance than others.
We hope we could help you decide which type of siding is the best for your home!