How to Choose the Best Siding

The siding of your home is an important part of keeping it, and you protected. If you’ve decided to begin the process of updating this for your home, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the options available, so it’s important to lay out the main differences.

From fiber cement to insulated vinyl, you want to consider several aspects when determining which is best for your residence.

1. Affordability

Vinyl siding is more cost-effective than fiber cement, but both provide great value and affordability for strong and protective siding. Both types are made to last for long periods of time, meaning you don’t have to pay for repair or replacement as often. The insulated type is slightly more expensive but will create longer-lasting siding and protection from the elements.

2. Installation

Fiber cement is more difficult to install because it’s heavier and thicker and can create more costs because of this time-consuming installation. Vinyl is much easier to install, but the tradeoff is that fiber cement and James Hardie siding will require fewer repairs over time.

3. Durability

The protection provided by fiber cement siding is like that of a brick exterior. It protects against extreme weather, moisture, pests, and heat at much more effective rates. It’s also impact and warp-resistant, and fiber cement sidings generally come with long warranties.

However, vinyl siding is also plenty durable, particularly for its lower cost. Vinyl is more prone to warping or cracking than fiber cement. Regular vinyl siding will see more damage from impact, but vinyl siding fills the gap between the house and siding and is exceptionally impact resistant. Insulated vinyl siding provides protection from the weather, moisture, and pests.

4. Upkeep

Both vinyl siding and fiber cement are among the best types of siding when it comes to maintenance and upkeep. Neither of them needs much upkeep to continue protecting your home, although fiber cement needs more upkeep than vinyl. Vinyl siding should be rinsed with water or scrubbed with soap once or twice a year to prevent a build-up of debris. Fiber cement siding requires similar upkeep, with additional caulking around joints and repainting. This is more time-consuming than vinyl, but well-maintained fiber cement will require full replacement less frequently than well-maintained vinyl siding.

5. Appearance

Both materials provide a lot of options for customizability, and both can appear like wood siding while creating better element protection than wood. Vinyl siding comes in several colors and textures and can also be modeled to appear like stone. However, fiber cement, because of its woven fibers and thicker material, can appear more effectively like wood than vinyl. Because fiber cement is painted rather than pre-colored, customization is a much greater cost than vinyl.

Making the Right Choice

At Exteriors by Window Makeover, we want to help you feel confident in your choice. We know how important it is that it matches your home, your needs, and your lifestyle and that this siding is expertly installed. Our long-lasting materials will keep your home safe. Contact us today to talk over your options.