Vinyl siding is one of the most popular exterior siding options for residential home and with good reason. Vinyl siding scores high in many categories – durability, maintenance requirements to vinyl siding costs and aesthetic features to name just a few.
Basics Of Vinyl Siding
Homeowners have a ton of different options with vinyl – a whole slew of colors, many manufacturers, different looks and textures, project costs, different finishes and even different applications. Installing vinyl siding on your home can add greatly to its aesthetic value. Vinyl siding can completely transform the look of your home, or it can simply make it look more updated and fresher. Either way, you can reap the reward of great looks on a relatively limited budget.
Vinyl Siding Costs
It is generally the least expensive siding option, in comparison to stucco, wood, brick, aluminum siding. There is a variety of prices when it comes to different styles, brands and installations. Learn more on vinyl siding costs.
Low To Mid: $1.50 – $3.50 psf installed
Mid To High: $3.50 – $6 psf installed
Vinyl Siding Options
Here are just some of the options of you may want to consider:
Styles
Clapboard or Dutch Lap
Shakes Or Shingles
Brick Or Natural Stone
Board And Batten
Applications
Liquid
Insulated
Seamless
Solid Core
Coatings
Finishes
Matte
Glossy
Textured
Advantages Of Vinyl Siding
High Return On Investment
The return on investment, or ROI, of vinyl siding installation is high (over 80%), making it a smart investment in your home. In fact, it can offer a higher ROI than almost any other type of home improvement project you can tackle. If you install insulated vinyl siding, your ROI can be even higher, due to increased energy efficiency and lower energy bills, although the initial investment will also cost more. A newly sided home looks better and appears well cared for and well maintained, making it easier to attract potential buyers when it is time to sell.
Great Color Selection
When it comes to the variety of colors available, nothing comes close to the selection that vinyl siding offers. From white and beige, to deep reds, rich earth tones and bold blues, homeowners are bound to find a color of vinyl siding to complement the style of their home, as well as the desired look. It’s important, however, to choose colors carefully and to ensure that the color you choose will look good in all types of lighting situations. It’s also best to remember that this is a long term purchase so you should select a siding color that you think you can live with for many years.
Handles All Types Of Weather
Most types can handle extreme temperatures, as well as changeable temperatures, with no damage. Quality products are resistant to fading from the sun and some even reflect heat, which can lower your energy bills when the temps start to soar. It is also resistant to strong winds and is water and moisture resistant, so it holds up better when it’s stormy outside.
Low Maintenance Requirements
Vinyl siding requires virtually no maintenance at all to keep it looking its best. All that is needed is an occasional cleaning, which can be accomplished with a hose. In some cases, stuck on dirt and debris may require some light scrubbing and mild detergent, but that’s it. In contrast, other siding choices such as wood and stucco need to be repainted and resealed periodically, which can be a huge job. Brick and stone may need to occasionally be repointed or regrouted.
Easy Installation
The process of installing vinyl siding is relatively easy. It often comes with a locking system so that each piece locks into the adjoining piece of siding or a starter piece and then the edge of the siding is loose-nailed to the wall. Siding boards also come in relatively long lengths, so once the initial row of siding is installed and is leveled, the rest of the siding can be installed fairly quickly and easily.
Easily Repaired
If your vinyl siding happens to get damaged, whether from extreme weather or a ball that’s thrown against it, it can be easily repaired. All you need to do is to pop out the damaged piece of siding and put a new one in its place. It is best to keep a few extra pieces on hand, if possible, so should the need to replace the panels arise, you will have a color-matched piece of siding to use as a replacement.
Long Term Durability
It is a very durable product that will last for years and years. It will typically last longer than wood siding, which can rot or become damaged from water, mold, mildew, insects, or long-term exposure to the sun. It won’t dent, scratch or rust like aluminum siding can. It won’t flake or chip like stucco can. Vinyl siding is not quite as durable as stone or brick, however, but it is also not as expensive to install. Explore more about rating components.