Which Material Will Work Best for Sidings?

Accepting that everything has its limited lifespan will give you a better opportunity to replace what's necessary for the future. For example, identifying signs of siding damage will prevent your home from further deterioration. This is why it's beneficial for homeowners to know when their home needs an upgrade.

All construction materials are built differently, whether you're comparing flooring or timber options. For sidings, there are general pros and cons to each material.

In this article, we'll discuss three siding materials to give you some options to choose from:

1. Wood Sidings

Wood has been a popular building material due to its usage in rustic and contemporary homes. It's a timeless option that goes well no matter what your home's exterior motif is. It has decent insulation qualities and is relatively easy to install and repair.

Although wood has significant aesthetic advantages, it also lacks different degrees of protection. For example, it has limited fire resistance unless you purchase premium timber products. Additionally, wood can break down due to rot if you don't maintain it regularly with sealant. This makes it vulnerable to insects like termites and carpenter ants. Keeping wood sidings in top condition for up to 40 years will only work with proper maintenance and care.

2. Vinyl Sidings

Homeowners generally choose vinyl sidings due to their flexibility as a building material. It's low maintenance and unlike wood siding, the color won't peal and the material won't break down the way wood does over time. In addition, part of what makes it popular is its low price. This makes the material typically easy to install and replace, even if it's not the most durable siding material.

At Roof Pros, we install vinyl siding throughout Western Massachusetts including Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin Counties.  We are vinyl siding installation experts and offer a free siding estimate online for those looking to replace their siding.

3. Fiber Cement Sidings

Fiber cement is a premium option among siding materials. Although it doesn't last as long as vinyl, it has a decent 50-year lifespan that comes with robust properties. Unlike typical wood sidings, fiber cement is highly resistant to water, pest, and fire damage. While it can come in wood-like designs, its resistance is much higher than the modeled material.

One of fiber cement's common drawbacks is the material's complexity. Average homeowners can install and replace vinyl and wood sidings with ease. In contrast, fiber cement requires a professional siding contractor to install it properly, mainly due to its heavy load of about 300 pounds per 100 sq. feet.

Conclusion

Choosing from a broad selection of materials can expand your siding choices. However, your choice of material alone isn't the only factor that will define its strength and longevity. Identifying the siding material you want is just part of the equation of upgrading your home. Without the right building contractors, your expensive purchase can be more costly if there are mistakes in the installation process.

At Roof Pros, our well-experienced technicians are adept in handling all exterior home improvements including siding installation, gutter installation, and roof installation and repair. Contact us online or call us if you need a professional siding installation contractor in Hampshire County, Massachusetts!