Is it better to get vinyl siding or wood siding? You may not like the look of aluminum siding, and perhaps fiber cement is out of your budget. That leaves you with two options: vinyl and wood. Both have their fans, but it is up to you to decide which one will meet your needs the best.
Wood is the traditional form of siding. It has a beauty that is unquestionable; the goal of every other sort of siding is to look as much like it as possible. Properly seasoned wood is strong and long lasting. However, it is susceptible to insects such as termites, and it can rot if not maintained properly. Wood is flammable and it has to be repainted regularly. It is all natural, though, and a completely renewable and reusable material. Putting beautiful wood siding on your house can improve its value.
Vinyl siding costs less than wood does. It is not susceptible to insect invasions, and it will never rot. It also does not have to be painted, and the time and money necessary to maintain it are much less than with wood. However, vinyl is even more flammable than wood is, and, unlike wood, its smoke is considered toxic. It is not recyclable. It is cheaper than wood, and lasts much longer. It can be molded and embossed in such a way as to resemble wood, but that resemblance will never hold up under close scrutiny. Vinyl is an undeniably artificial material. It’s the most popular form of siding for new homes because of its inexpensiveness and because it is long lasting and low maintenance, but if you live in an upscale neighborhood it is possible that having vinyl siding on your house could lower the value of your home.
If appearance and renewability matter to you, then wood will probably worth the extra cost. If you are mainly concerned with something that will give you no trouble and last for the next fifty years, then vinyl is the material for you. Both offer an equal number of options in the way of colors and styles.
Tue, May 24, 2011
Building